The Petrakis family lives in the small Greek seaside village of Plaka. Just off the coast is the tiny island of Spinalonga, where the nation’s leper colony once was located—a place that has haunted four generations of Petrakis women. There’s Eleni, ripped from her husband and two young daughters and sent to Spinalonga in 1939, and her daughters Maria, finding joy in the everyday as she dutifully … dutifully cares for her father, and Anna, a wild child hungry for passion and a life anywhere but Plaka. And finally there’s Alexis, Eleni’s great-granddaughter, visiting modern-day Greece to unlock her family’s past.
A richly enchanting novel of lives and loves unfolding against the backdrop of the Mediterranean during World War II, The Island is an enthralling story of dreams and desires, of secrets desperately hidden, and of leprosy’s touch on an unforgettable family.
more
I enjoyed reading it and learned about leprosy as well as Crete. Very interesting book, great characters.
I really enjoyed the book and I would recommend it
Loved the history lesson along with colorful characters and I want to go to Greece now. I felt like I could feel the ocean breeze.
Wonderful – you really get a feel for the characters. They draw you in and carry you to the their “time and place”. Hope to read more from this author.
Very good
This was a book that was a great visit to a Greek Island and the quarantined island for lepers. It isn’t a “down” book at all as you will love all the characters and be amazed at the happy homes they made on this old Turkish fort. A true historical story but with fictional characters. I couldn’t put this book down!
Really good historical view of the disease of leprosy and how it’s treatment improved in the context of the depression and WW2 and later in Europe.
Great characters and learned a lot about the island, off of Crete that was home to lepers until mid 1950’s. Couldn’t put it down.
It was an emotional read. Although I’ve visited a leper colony I found this book informative. There were sections that dragged somewhat but I would recommend it.
This book starts slow but rewards you with a very inspiring story. I didn’t want it to end.
Although the writing style was somewhat naïve and at times variously overly descriptive, sentimental, and/or stereotypical, I found this book very interesting and even compelling in places. Particularly successful in evoking a specific place and time in history. The modern day story was not very interesting, but it was the excuse to delve into …
Loved everything about it. The Writing, story, characters, and very educational.
Great book with incredible descriptions of Crete. I really felt like I was on the island. I also liked that the story was based on historical facts. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Very well written with an unusual topic . Maybe a bit heavy on the history of the area. Highly recommend it.
Wonderful read
Great story,
Sometimes it’s good to read about “real” events that impacted lives and how people and families handled them. Particularly interested when the values of another culture are involved.
Realistic, dramatic, beautifully written
Fast moving and full of twists.
Such a wonderful story.
I had to visit the island of Spinalonga off the coast of Crete and see the buildings for myself.
It’s Victoria’s best book with such great characters
I have read this book at least 5 times as its so enjoyable .