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bookishlysophie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A powerfully emotive book that will have you hooked. I loved the layers to this story and how it covered multiple generations. The characters are complex but their actions make so much sense. I’d highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Chronic illness
peruseapage's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
“Not leprosy, but love.”
Book review - The Island, Victoria Hislop.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What an emotional book. I cried from beginning to end. I have seen all the criticism under the sun for this book - it’s writing - but honestly none of that mattered because the plot was so bloody powerful.
Alexis is determined to find out about her mother’s family, her past. Her mother, Sofia, has never spoken of it - only that she grew up in a small Cretan village. Alexis decides to visit this village to find out more and Sofia gives her a letter to take to an old friend with the promise that she will find what she is looking for. When reaching Fotoni, the story of Eleni, Georgiou, Anna and Maria is told. A family torn by leprosy, war, tragedy and passion.
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve shed as many tears on a book than I did on this one. What a heartbreaking story this was. Victoria Hislop did an absolutely tremendous job of sucking me into this family and making me feel so closely connected to each of them. I was captivated by the family’s story. Eleni, Georgiou and Maria stole my heart - what utterly fantastic characters.
Clearly a lot of research went into this book and it shows. I’ve never before heard of Spinalonga and the leprosy colony but I definitely feel like I know a lot about it now. In fact, sign me up to visit - I’d love to see it! I loved being a part of their little community. Despite the tragedy and disease that surrounded them, I actually wanted to be part of it at times although I have no doubt it must have been so utterly awful being trapped like that counting down the days until the ultimate ending.
The warmth and passion between Maria and Georgiou melted my heart. What a powerful message those two characters portrayed. People come and go but family is what is important. They were the definition of selfless individuals and I aspire to be more like them.
Overall, I can’t express how amazing this book is. It was warm, tragic and completely breathtaking. Please, if you do anything today, go and read this book. The only downside is that I didn’t bring the next book on holiday with me and have to wait until I’m home to read it!
Book review - The Island, Victoria Hislop.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What an emotional book. I cried from beginning to end. I have seen all the criticism under the sun for this book - it’s writing - but honestly none of that mattered because the plot was so bloody powerful.
Alexis is determined to find out about her mother’s family, her past. Her mother, Sofia, has never spoken of it - only that she grew up in a small Cretan village. Alexis decides to visit this village to find out more and Sofia gives her a letter to take to an old friend with the promise that she will find what she is looking for. When reaching Fotoni, the story of Eleni, Georgiou, Anna and Maria is told. A family torn by leprosy, war, tragedy and passion.
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve shed as many tears on a book than I did on this one. What a heartbreaking story this was. Victoria Hislop did an absolutely tremendous job of sucking me into this family and making me feel so closely connected to each of them. I was captivated by the family’s story. Eleni, Georgiou and Maria stole my heart - what utterly fantastic characters.
Clearly a lot of research went into this book and it shows. I’ve never before heard of Spinalonga and the leprosy colony but I definitely feel like I know a lot about it now. In fact, sign me up to visit - I’d love to see it! I loved being a part of their little community. Despite the tragedy and disease that surrounded them, I actually wanted to be part of it at times although I have no doubt it must have been so utterly awful being trapped like that counting down the days until the ultimate ending.
The warmth and passion between Maria and Georgiou melted my heart. What a powerful message those two characters portrayed. People come and go but family is what is important. They were the definition of selfless individuals and I aspire to be more like them.
Overall, I can’t express how amazing this book is. It was warm, tragic and completely breathtaking. Please, if you do anything today, go and read this book. The only downside is that I didn’t bring the next book on holiday with me and have to wait until I’m home to read it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Infidelity and Infertility
heyitsdaliiii's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read this for school (in Greek) and as much as I hated the first 60%, the last 40% got me hooked and I finished it in one sitting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Death of parent
martzi's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Terminal illness, Murder, Misogyny, Grief, Gore, Death of parent, Death, and Chronic illness
Moderate: War, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Murder
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
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