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cosymidlifebooknook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I read this book when it was first published in paperback, and it's remained in my top 10 favourite reads. I adore a book set in the Mediterranean especially when it's based on true historical events.
I adored the vivid portrayal of Crete, and Victoria Hislop's ability to transport me to the heart of the story. The characters felt like old friends, and the historical backdrop of Spinalonga gave a fascinating glimpse into a real place and time in history. The incredible attention to detail, both in the depiction of daily life on the island and in the medical references to curing the disease were fascinating. Despite the heartbreak woven into the fabric of the story, there was always an undercurrent of hope and resilience that left me feeling uplifted and inspired long after I turned the final page
I adored the vivid portrayal of Crete, and Victoria Hislop's ability to transport me to the heart of the story. The characters felt like old friends, and the historical backdrop of Spinalonga gave a fascinating glimpse into a real place and time in history. The incredible attention to detail, both in the depiction of daily life on the island and in the medical references to curing the disease were fascinating. Despite the heartbreak woven into the fabric of the story, there was always an undercurrent of hope and resilience that left me feeling uplifted and inspired long after I turned the final page
hannahjkpeck's review against another edition
4.5
beautiful story with vivid characters I quickly cared about
helenreak1's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
samcraig76's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
24marsha's review against another edition
4.0
Great book! I just wish the ending hadn't felt so rushed. The Maria and Anna stories were so well told but then Sophia and Alexis' stories seemed so lacking. I wanted more. But such a good book!!!
aliciagriggs's review against another edition
5.0
This is an exceptional book, which though I completed a few days ago, still remains in my thoughts each day.
It tells of a woman looking to understand her heritage better, so goes on a journey to Crete to see what she can uncover.
What she discovers is a heritage of love, loss, heartbreak and leprosy.
This book did an amazing job at educating me on leprosy, as it is a subject I knew next to nothing about. However, the heart-rending portrayal of this disease led me to research it more (I feel most readers would, to try and understand it better) and it left me with a profound feeling of gratitude that I live in a time, in a country, where leprosy isn't a thing, and if it was to enter my sphere then it could be cured.
The stigma and fear created by this disease was illustrated throughout the book, as characters who endured leprosy were banished to an island, forbidden to return.
We read of the heartbreak and fear that came when the first strange patch of skin was noticed, to the telling it to loved ones, to having to leave all you love to live with other lepers...all this I read and found myself trying to put myself in the character's position. It made me very emotional, thinking of the physical, mental and emotional pain they would have gone through, because, although this is a fictional book, the place and circumstances are very real, and some people had to (and in some places still have to) go through this.
What really shook me up though was people's ability to be so cruel and heartless. There is stigma and coldness towards lepers throughout, bred by fear, and it made me so sad, to think we can forget the human behind the disease.
However , though this book does focus on leprosy and the tragedy this brings to people, it equally focuses on the ability people have to make the best of a terrible situation, of humanity at its best, of kindness and, above all, love.
This book produced a rollercoaster of emotions and I think it is a book that will remain with me for a while. I highly recommend.
It tells of a woman looking to understand her heritage better, so goes on a journey to Crete to see what she can uncover.
What she discovers is a heritage of love, loss, heartbreak and leprosy.
This book did an amazing job at educating me on leprosy, as it is a subject I knew next to nothing about. However, the heart-rending portrayal of this disease led me to research it more (I feel most readers would, to try and understand it better) and it left me with a profound feeling of gratitude that I live in a time, in a country, where leprosy isn't a thing, and if it was to enter my sphere then it could be cured.
The stigma and fear created by this disease was illustrated throughout the book, as characters who endured leprosy were banished to an island, forbidden to return.
We read of the heartbreak and fear that came when the first strange patch of skin was noticed, to the telling it to loved ones, to having to leave all you love to live with other lepers...all this I read and found myself trying to put myself in the character's position. It made me very emotional, thinking of the physical, mental and emotional pain they would have gone through, because, although this is a fictional book, the place and circumstances are very real, and some people had to (and in some places still have to) go through this.
What really shook me up though was people's ability to be so cruel and heartless. There is stigma and coldness towards lepers throughout, bred by fear, and it made me so sad, to think we can forget the human behind the disease.
However , though this book does focus on leprosy and the tragedy this brings to people, it equally focuses on the ability people have to make the best of a terrible situation, of humanity at its best, of kindness and, above all, love.
This book produced a rollercoaster of emotions and I think it is a book that will remain with me for a while. I highly recommend.
beckboo88's review against another edition
5.0
excellent book. the author really draws you in to the story. you feel invested in the characters lives. you want to find out what happens to them all, you feel as they do when the plot thickens and tragedy occurs. I'll be on the lookout for more from this author.
ladyreading365's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
asurges's review against another edition
1.0
I place this book in the fairly recent genre of three women with a mystery set in WW II, and the mystery could be solved in Chapter 1. However, putting a story in a pretty place does not make for good writing.
The author took a good story (a leprosy community) and overwrote—for example, coffee is a “black swirling liquid”—and explains every character. She also condenses timelines when those events could be expanded upon, and it’s, well, kind of a mess. Characters are somewhat forgotten, and I don’t understand why one of the main characters has to conceal her past, which is more intriguing than horrifying. I also don’t get the protagonist’s questioning of her relationship to a boorish man who seems borderline abusive.
So many mysteries, many of which could have been answered in the hands of a more adept editor and a more skillful writer.
The author took a good story (a leprosy community) and overwrote—for example, coffee is a “black swirling liquid”—and explains every character. She also condenses timelines when those events could be expanded upon, and it’s, well, kind of a mess. Characters are somewhat forgotten, and I don’t understand why one of the main characters has to conceal her past, which is more intriguing than horrifying. I also don’t get the protagonist’s questioning of her relationship to a boorish man who seems borderline abusive.
So many mysteries, many of which could have been answered in the hands of a more adept editor and a more skillful writer.