The Island
Victoria Hislop
Headline Review
ISBN: 0-7553-0950-2 / 978-0-7553-0950-4 (UK edition)
473 pages

This book is in the ‘must read’ class. Although not particularly well written and full of somewhat cheesy descriptions, it is a moving and absorbing holiday read which cannot help but pull at your heartstrings.

The story starts with Alexis Fielding who decides to visit Crete and go to Plaka to find out about the past of her mother, Sofia. After realizing she is very close to the island of Spinalonga, which then was a leper colony, Ms. Hislop describes the pain and emotions of a generation of four women whose lives are torn apart by the terrible and devastating disease. 

Her descriptions of Spinalonga make you want to visit the Island.

The strength of survival among the people who have been forsaken by their families is so strong, you feel you should pay homage to them.

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