Welcome to Litsy!

A reread; I do like to do a reading deep-dive before holidays, so I‘m seeking out the 🇬🇷 stories. The writing was a bit more flowery and overdone than I remembered, but still a solidly good read.

The book really does make you think about how you cannot change your past and you have no choice but to move forward in life and forgive as everybody makes mistakes.

This is a beautifully imagined and evocatively told story that weaves actual facts into fiction. Readers who love historical fiction, especially based in Greece will adore reading this book. I look forward to reading the sequel; One August Night very soon.

I read this book mainly on a sunbed in Crete. Too far from Spinalonga to visit but it was rendered easy enough to enter the small communities this book portrays. Almost unremittingly sad, with only brief episodes of relief. Overall a delightful read but too often, for me, the book was loosely written. For such an emotional narrative I felt the author was guilty of skating over significant episodes. Still very enjoyable.

To be utterly frank, this has so far proved a letdown. I was looking to enjoying a lighthearted ramble through a tale of Irish folklore and magic. Several chapters in and still no appearance of a single mischievous mythical pot-of-gold owner. Where are the leprechauns?

What?

Really?

Oh.

In that case it‘s all rather good.

Very taxing day planned having arrived in Crete. It will include food, some walking around and probably some more food. Also starting this as I rigorously test the sunbed by the pool. We‘re too far away to visit Spiralonga which is a part of this book but we do have the food as compensation remember?

It would be #aharddaysnight if I were to attempt to read all of these World Book Night selections in one go - 3,394 pages! #AnglophileApril @Cinfhen @Mdargusch @Reviewsbylola @emilyhaldi

Although I had a few issues with this book, it still succeeded in taking me away to a new place in time

Equal parts beautiful, interesting and sad, The Island is set on Spinalonga, a leprosy colony off Crete in 1940s (ish).

"Today Fotini was going to be her Scheherazade." Struggling to find time to read but excited for Hislop to be my Scheherazade ???

Getting stuck into The Island now & really enjoying it!

Distracted from reading by the Limerick Cork All-Ireland Semi-final this afternoon. What an epic afternoon #LuimneachAbu #hurlingisforheroes (pic: Ryan Byrne in thejournal.ie)

This is a historical novel set in Crete and in particular the island of Spinalonga, a leper colony which opened at the beginning of the Century. I had not known such an island existed and I didn‘t know much about lepers at all so I found this fiction weaved with facts novel really interesting. I‘m definitely inspired now to visit Crete and Spinalonga in the future.

The story line was very good. But there was much about the story that was extraneous. Alexis goes to Plaka, on the island of Crete to find the story of her mothers life. Most of the book was the story of her grandmother and aunt. The leper colony on Spinalonga figures intimately in the story. I am conflicted because this could have been a 5 star book, sadly it wasn't. But I'm happy I read it. I have a couple more books by the author to read.

One of my views on this warm, almost summer day. Halfway through my book, liking it so far. #summerreading. #porchlove #readingismagic

Next book up to read. I read a good review, so I'm anxious to see, since I got a couple other books by this author when I got this.

Sounds interesting. I can't wait to start it.

I thought Litsy was broken and I was so so sad.

Between "I like" and "not sure"...

1. The Island - Victoria Hislop. Although leper colonies are a bit of a depressing subject, Crete sounded beautiful 🌞 and I‘m going there for a week in June!
2. Prague 👑
3. The Maldives / Antigua 🌴
4. Fly ✈️ you‘d have to drive a long way from England to get somewhere hot enough!
5. Ice Cream - especially if its mint choc chip 😍

#manicmonday

This book is awesome. Hooked from start to finish yet not something I would have read from the books blurb. Lots of friends recommended it and I read it while on holiday on the island of Crete. Glad I did.

Reading this delight in Crete😀🍹🏖

I really enjoyed Hislop's The Thread but I'm surprised to say I didn't enjoy this. Perhaps it's because it's her first novel as it does feel amateurish. Its overly descriptive, it could easily have been a 100 pages shorter. Also the narrative for large parts just summarises events rather than focusing on particular scenes and bringing them to life. Whilst there's some interesting insights into leprosy this isn't explored as much as I'd have liked.

Excellent!

One of my favourite writers. Moving story of some of the last inhabitants of an island off Crete, Greece for lepers shortly before a cure was found. Great characters worth investing in.

Opening line:
"Unfurled from its mooring, the rope flew through the air and sprayed the woman's bare arms with droplets of seawater."
#dumbledwarf #bookgnome #victoriahislop #theisland

The Hebrew version of "The Island" in the amazing Crete island #somthingforsept

Another treasure from the no more #worldbooknight A 2013 book selection

Loving this book, makes me want to go back to Crete and visit Spinalonga #Greece #Travel