A review by lifeandliterature
The Island of Longing by Anne Griffin

5.0

Irish fiction and Irish authors regularly make an appearance amongst my read books each year, and yet Anne Griffin is a new to me author. I'm not sure how The Island of Longing appeared on my radar but I am so glad that it did. The story centres around Rosie who has been living through the pain of her daughter being missing for the past eight years. Despite all of those around her, including her husband Hugh, believing that Saoirse has met a tragic end, Rosie is staunch in her belief that her daughter will one day return to her. Their marriage under strain from their differing beliefs, Rosie returns to her childhood home where she finds a sense of comfort amid a new friendship, and old rivalries come to a head.

The standout of The Island of Longing was for me the gentleness of the authors writing. Although there is so much heartbreak, grief and sadness, there is also family, and community, and friendship, and love.

I'm so happy to have stumbled upon The Island of Longing, and am so looking forward to reading more of Anne Griffin's work.