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The Island

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The Island

By: Victoria Hislop
Narrated by: Sandra Duncan
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About this listen

INSPIRED BY TRUTH, THE STORY THAT HAS CAPTIVATED THE WORLD.

This was not the start of a short trip to deliver supplies. It was the beginning of a one-way journey to start a new life. Life on a leper colony. Life on Spinalonga.

Fifty years later, making a life-changing journey of her own, Alexis Fielding feels the pull of the abandoned island. A distant shadow off the coast of Crete, she knows it holds the secrets of her mother's past, buried for so long but surely not forgotten . . .

Discover for yourself why 10 million readers and critics worldwide love Victoria Hislop's books . . .

'Passionately engaged with its subject . . . meticulously researched' The Sunday Times

'Hislop carefully evokes the lives of Cretans between the wars and during German occupation, but most commendable is her compassionate portrayal of the outcasts' Guardian

'A page-turning tale that reminds us that love and life continue in even the most extraordinary of circumstances' Sunday Express

'The story of life on Spinalonga, the lepers' island, is gripping and carries real emotional impact. Victoria Hislop . . . brings dignity and tenderness to her novel about lives blighted by leprosy' Telegraph

'Vivid, moving and absorbing' Observer


©2005 Victoria Hislop (P)2006 Headline Digital Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Women's Fiction Heartfelt Tear-jerking War England

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All stars
Most relevant  
This book was wonderful! The story totally captured my imagination and the narator made it easy to follow which character she was. By 3/4 of the way through I found myself online booking a holiday to Crete and researching where to stay in Plaka and how I could catch a small fisherman’s boat to Spinalonga rather than take a tourists boat there. I have found Giorgios Fish restaurant where I will sit outside in the evening and look across to Spinalonga as the sky turns pink. I will walk in the steps of Eleni & Maria to every place on Crete mentioned in the book. I was sad when it ended, and now can’t wait to read or listen to it’s sequel.

So wonderful that I am now booked to visit Crete!

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Where does The Island rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Highly

What did you like best about this story?

It reminded me of holidays to Crete

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Lots of them I liked the twists

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Several

Any additional comments?

I was recommended to read this by a friend and I've thanked her

Beautiful

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A heart breaking tale of a family going through tragic events but with such a beautiful and descriptive setting.

The audio book sounding as though it was edited at various points where the pitch and inflection of the narrator's voice would randomly change. First time I've noticed that on audible.

Beautiful but tragic

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I read this when the book first came out. I decided to listen to it to refresh my memory before reading One August morning, the sequel which has just been published. Very glad I did.

Second read

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loved everything about this book . powerful story full of love, sadness and hope

must read

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I’d heard of this book and a recent holiday to Crete, including a trip to Spinalonga, made it a must listen. Fantastically written and superbly read, I could picture the island as I listened, the tunnel of tears (as it was called), the houses and hospital, and the graveyard on the back of the island. This book brings both the horrors and the bravery of the people sent to the island to life.

Sad and uplifting at the same time

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the story was great, sad and happy at the same time. I learned so much as well.

A beautiful story... I was hooked.

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Really well written.
A story that sucks you in! I finished it in a week! And have recommended it to a dozen people.

Just amazing

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Loved this tale of love, family, desire, disaster and disappointment. Kept me gripped. Wasn't sure about the narrator initially but she grew on me.

Epic story telling

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From start to finish, this beautifully written book had me in its grip. Wonderfully read by Sandra Duncan, although some editing glitches towards the end. Overall a story of loss, hope, dear, humanity, and love. The characters are so real and the description of both the Greek Island life through the decades and of Spinalonga, is absolutely fascinating, breathtaking, uplifting and heartbreaking. Ritual, faith, parties, community, music, friendship, food.... makes me want to be Greek!
A wonderful book.

Absolutely spellbinding book

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