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This is a very moving book. Lloyd Jones cleverly uses the story of Great Expectations to create a story that is so powerful that not only did I cry for about twenty minutes as I was reading it this morning, but tears welled up again as I thought about it while I was diving to work. I adored the characters and the island setting was at once beautiful and frightening. A story of sacrifice, courage and the power of the imagination I am so glad to have read this.

This book has many layers and issues that give food for thought, not to mention discussion.
It is set on a small island during a very nasty war. The politics of this is not explained in the book, but it made me want to look into it a bit further. Especially as here in Australia this was happening on our doorstep and nothing was done by Australia to help the local people.
The narator is a young girl.
This story is about love, clash of moral beliefs, the resilience of the human spirit to survive dur ...more
It is set on a small island during a very nasty war. The politics of this is not explained in the book, but it made me want to look into it a bit further. Especially as here in Australia this was happening on our doorstep and nothing was done by Australia to help the local people.
The narator is a young girl.
This story is about love, clash of moral beliefs, the resilience of the human spirit to survive dur ...more

We read this one for book club. The tone of the first half of the book didn't seem to fit the violence toward the end.
...more

Very powerful book because it is deceptively simple in style and you are drifting along with the story when things change so dramatically. I love the idea of great literature having the power to effect change despite great cultural and geographic difference. Also really shocking that we (in Aust) have heard relatively little about conflict so close to us.

Feb 07, 2009
Kay
marked it as to-read

Aug 21, 2009
Midnightrider
marked it as to-read

Aug 30, 2010
Lauren
marked it as tbr-longlist

Jan 05, 2012
Pam
added it


Mar 29, 2012
Kirsten Alexander
marked it as to-read

Feb 21, 2015
Chris
marked it as to-read

May 01, 2016
Victoria Clyne
marked it as to-read

Jul 24, 2022
Tess
marked it as to-read