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daisydoolie's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
As a book, something didn’t really click for me. The descriptions of the island and atmosphere especially were beautiful and I loved the author’s use of asides but there was a lot about the book that felt jarring/uncomfortable in a way I don’t think was intended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Violence
Moderate: War
tianolose's review against another edition
5.0
Escribió este librazo y se quedó anchísima la tía. Que me gusta a mí una buena coming of age de una chica adolescente.
pacomntnz's review against another edition
5.0
«Qué extranjera raza la de los adultos, la de los hombres y mujeres. Qué extranjeros y absurdos, nosotros. Qué fuera del mundo y hasta del tiempo. Ya no éramos niños. De pronto ya no sabíamos lo que éramos [...]. Él decía, entre bocanadas de humo: "¡Cuándo acabará todo esto!". No estábamos muy seguros a qué se refería: si a la guerra, la isla o a nuestra edad».
harrietjwood's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nedsu's review against another edition
4.0
A sunscorched novel. Similarly to The Magus and Voss, books in which the sun is a character in itself, toying with the minds of the characters as they toy with each other.
recollections's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
josetinocoperez's review against another edition
4.0
80/100.
Es una novela potente. En cuanto a su trama, parece que no pasa nada, pero, de fondo, encontramos la pérdida de inocencia y temas muy candentes, incluso en la actualidad. De hecho, me sorprende que pudiera publicarse en la España de 1959 por el claro talante antifranquista. La prosa poética de Ana María Matute acompaña perfectamente la voz principal de Matia en su recorrido vital durante los meses que transcurren en la obra. Además, es una novela bastante descriptiva, aunque no desesperadamente descriptiva.
Muy buena lectura.
Es una novela potente. En cuanto a su trama, parece que no pasa nada, pero, de fondo, encontramos la pérdida de inocencia y temas muy candentes, incluso en la actualidad. De hecho, me sorprende que pudiera publicarse en la España de 1959 por el claro talante antifranquista. La prosa poética de Ana María Matute acompaña perfectamente la voz principal de Matia en su recorrido vital durante los meses que transcurren en la obra. Además, es una novela bastante descriptiva, aunque no desesperadamente descriptiva.
Muy buena lectura.
libbysbookshelf's review against another edition
THE ISLAND by ANA MARIA MATUTE
Set during the Spanish civil war on Mallorca, this coming of age novel is dark and oppressive.
Cousins Matia and Borja live on the island with their tyrannical grandmother, aunt, housekeeper and their tutor, who has a racist nickname. They’re constantly trying to escape the oppressive house and run wild near the sea and down the Slope. They steal cigarettes and alcohol and smoke and drink together. But neither one is happy. And neither one really likes the other. Then Matia learns of the mistreatment of the Jewish people in fifteenth century and witnesses anti Semitic actions in the present day. She befriends a young Jewish boy to whom she is drawn, but her life becomes more tense as she learns more and more about the world she inhabits.
Compared to a ‘lost Eden and a Neverland combined, where ancient hatred and present-day passions collide.’
A difficult, but worthwhile read.
Perfect reading scenario would be on a beach in a hot country, where the days seem endless and the heat almost unbearable. Take me there now!
#book #bookstagram #womenintranslation #witmonth #womenintranslationmonth #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #theisland #anamariamatute
Set during the Spanish civil war on Mallorca, this coming of age novel is dark and oppressive.
Cousins Matia and Borja live on the island with their tyrannical grandmother, aunt, housekeeper and their tutor, who has a racist nickname. They’re constantly trying to escape the oppressive house and run wild near the sea and down the Slope. They steal cigarettes and alcohol and smoke and drink together. But neither one is happy. And neither one really likes the other. Then Matia learns of the mistreatment of the Jewish people in fifteenth century and witnesses anti Semitic actions in the present day. She befriends a young Jewish boy to whom she is drawn, but her life becomes more tense as she learns more and more about the world she inhabits.
Compared to a ‘lost Eden and a Neverland combined, where ancient hatred and present-day passions collide.’
A difficult, but worthwhile read.
Perfect reading scenario would be on a beach in a hot country, where the days seem endless and the heat almost unbearable. Take me there now!
#book #bookstagram #womenintranslation #witmonth #womenintranslationmonth #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #theisland #anamariamatute
ruthie_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, Bullying, Death, Racial slurs, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal death and Death of parent