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A review by definitelynotreading
This Other Eden by Paul Harding
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It is difficult to know what to say about this one. The lyrical, beautiful writing tells a heartbreaking story that leaves the reader wrestling with important topics. Harding has taken the true story of Malaga Island and given us an imagining of what could be it's history. He has developed a diverse cast of characters and portrayed an honest and difficult picture of what life might have looked like on that island. The story of Apple Island is a story of family, freedom and the tragedies that occur when an outsider believes they know better what life should look like. My thoughts are not as coherent as I would like them to be, so I may return to edit this review once I sort them out a bit.
The story of Apple Island begins in 1792 with Benjamin and Patience Honey. A century later, 6 generations of Honeys have been born on the island and the islanders are content to live and survive the way they have for the last 100 years. Harding does not shy away from the realities of poverty in this era - describing the lice and bedbugs, the extreme weather, and the inbreeding in appropriate detail. He also does not shy away from the realities of the injustice done to these people or the prejudice shown by even the supposedly "upright" and "well meaning".
The juxtaposition of the poverty of the islanders and affluence and education of Matthew Diamond forces the reader the question the meaning of charity and to examine acts of supposed charity, especially those with disastrous outcomes, even if those involved were as well intended as they claimed. I wanted to fight with and for these people. I wanted them to have their home and be accepted without having to change. I also found myself wanting to offer them some of the same aid offered by others in the story and thinking in the back of my head that I could've found a way to help with a better outcome, which is an instinct I think the author intends for readers to question.
I kept expecting someone to be an exception to the atrocious racism described in this story. No one ever was. I expected some sort of heartwarming moment of acceptance from a white character, it never came. It's heartbreaking to realize this was the reality for so many lives. It broke my heart to experience, from Bridget's POV, her realization that Ethan was "colored". I wanted so desperately for it not to matter to her, and by the end, maybe it didn't, but not soon enough.
This is a story I will ponder for a long time to come.
The audiobook was well narrated and a fascinating listen, I do wish that there was a way to view the images included in the story as there seemed to be photo descriptions.
Thank you to Netgalley and Recorded books for the advanced listener copy.
The story of Apple Island begins in 1792 with Benjamin and Patience Honey. A century later, 6 generations of Honeys have been born on the island and the islanders are content to live and survive the way they have for the last 100 years. Harding does not shy away from the realities of poverty in this era - describing the lice and bedbugs, the extreme weather, and the inbreeding in appropriate detail. He also does not shy away from the realities of the injustice done to these people or the prejudice shown by even the supposedly "upright" and "well meaning".
The juxtaposition of the poverty of the islanders and affluence and education of Matthew Diamond forces the reader the question the meaning of charity and to examine acts of supposed charity, especially those with disastrous outcomes, even if those involved were as well intended as they claimed. I wanted to fight with and for these people. I wanted them to have their home and be accepted without having to change. I also found myself wanting to offer them some of the same aid offered by others in the story and thinking in the back of my head that I could've found a way to help with a better outcome, which is an instinct I think the author intends for readers to question.
I kept expecting someone to be an exception to the atrocious racism described in this story. No one ever was. I expected some sort of heartwarming moment of acceptance from a white character, it never came. It's heartbreaking to realize this was the reality for so many lives. It broke my heart to experience, from Bridget's POV, her realization that Ethan was "colored". I wanted so desperately for it not to matter to her, and by the end, maybe it didn't, but not soon enough.
This is a story I will ponder for a long time to come.
The audiobook was well narrated and a fascinating listen, I do wish that there was a way to view the images included in the story as there seemed to be photo descriptions.
Thank you to Netgalley and Recorded books for the advanced listener copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism