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life_full_ofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
OMG- If you only read one other book this year, I think it needs to be Castle of Water. This book is both gripping and calming, happy and sad, and will keel you on the edge of your seat.
After their plane goes down in the South Pacific Barry, an American businessman, and Sophie, a French architect, find themselves the lone survivors of their crash. They both end up on the same small, unknown island some 300 miles away from their intended flight path. Despite their fears, sadness, anger, and annoyance they need to figure out a way to work together to survive on the island long enough to find a way back to civilization.
This book had me gripped from the beginning. Told from multiple third person view points Dean Hucklebridge brilliantly captures the fear and anguish both the castaways and their loved ones back home feel, and at the same time he captures the beauty of the island and the beauty that is found when 2 strangers learn to live with just each other.
Mr. Hucklebridge’s writing is so beautiful and the way he brings to life Barry, Sophie, the island, and more is absolutely amazing. I’m hoping the rest of his books are written just as beautifully.
After their plane goes down in the South Pacific Barry, an American businessman, and Sophie, a French architect, find themselves the lone survivors of their crash. They both end up on the same small, unknown island some 300 miles away from their intended flight path. Despite their fears, sadness, anger, and annoyance they need to figure out a way to work together to survive on the island long enough to find a way back to civilization.
This book had me gripped from the beginning. Told from multiple third person view points Dean Hucklebridge brilliantly captures the fear and anguish both the castaways and their loved ones back home feel, and at the same time he captures the beauty of the island and the beauty that is found when 2 strangers learn to live with just each other.
Mr. Hucklebridge’s writing is so beautiful and the way he brings to life Barry, Sophie, the island, and more is absolutely amazing. I’m hoping the rest of his books are written just as beautifully.
mary_elizabeth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
wonderenglish's review against another edition
2.0
I do not understand the hype for this book. It was so hard for me to get through. The only time I felt actual concern for the characters was at the very end. Main character was constantly sexualizing Sophie, even commenting about her weight loss, BECAUSE THEY ARE STRANDED ON AN ISLAND, causing her "assests" to shrink. I felt no connection to either character. Perhaps this was due to the 3rd person narrative or maybe it was just the lack of depth particularly in Sophie. Barry was given so much background in comparison to her, it really felt to me like a self-insert with a hot girl situation.
Overall this book is pretentious and thinks it's way deeper than it is. Also the fact that Barry's "quirk" is that he's obsessed with his contact lenses is actually laughable. Good lord.
Overall this book is pretentious and thinks it's way deeper than it is. Also the fact that Barry's "quirk" is that he's obsessed with his contact lenses is actually laughable. Good lord.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
danabaran06's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
bethreadsandnaps's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was a decent romance. It had Blue Lagoon (but older) vibes.
Barry and Sophie are the lone survivors of a small plane crash. Sophie was on her honeymoon with Etienne. Now alone together on a deserted island, they have to make a go at it. Of course, trying to stay alive during harsh conditions bonds them.
I struggled a bit with the voice of this novel. The narration didn't have me "in" the action as much as I would have liked. Being very nearsighted myself, I empathized with Barry's contact lens situation, but it did feel discussed quite a bit. :)
Barry and Sophie are the lone survivors of a small plane crash. Sophie was on her honeymoon with Etienne. Now alone together on a deserted island, they have to make a go at it. Of course, trying to stay alive during harsh conditions bonds them.
I struggled a bit with the voice of this novel. The narration didn't have me "in" the action as much as I would have liked. Being very nearsighted myself, I empathized with Barry's contact lens situation, but it did feel discussed quite a bit. :)
rachbreads's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot even explain how amazing this book is - it was literary, funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, and everything else in the world at the same time. Just...read it. Immediately.
Side note: also read the author's review/comment that he posted on the book on goodreads - he explains why he chose to write in the style he did and it made me love the book even more.
Side note: also read the author's review/comment that he posted on the book on goodreads - he explains why he chose to write in the style he did and it made me love the book even more.
jaymeee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
paigedc's review against another edition
5.0
This book was fantastic! A plane crash strands a New York businessman and a bohemian French woman on a tiny, remote island, and the story chronicles their tale of survival. It's fiery, emotional, not always what you expect, and captivating.
The author's style is beautiful, spanning passages of time without missing important details, blending french and English languages together (side note: the audio narrator was SPOT ON for this one!).
I've read The Martian and The Mountain Between Us (both rescue-against-all-odds stories), and this one ranks right up there. Highly recommend.
The author's style is beautiful, spanning passages of time without missing important details, blending french and English languages together (side note: the audio narrator was SPOT ON for this one!).
I've read The Martian and The Mountain Between Us (both rescue-against-all-odds stories), and this one ranks right up there. Highly recommend.
killeruncle5's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0