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There are currently 26 member reviews
for This Other Eden
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Mary A. (Virginia Beach, VA)
Another heartbreaking piece of history
This is the kind of book I am drawn to - a story based on true events, previously unknown to me. It's an amazing and heartbreaking story based on a real island and real people. I spent hours researching the history of the actual place and events and was amazed how resilient the islanders were for as long as they were left alone. I am glad to have learned something new, but I had problems reading the book. I've read many reviews who describe it as "lyrical". Many pages had at least one passage that I had to reread because a phrase (or many phrases) was so beautiful and descriptive, so yes, lyrical. However, some sentences seemed to go on forever and conventional punctuation is often lacking. It was not an easy book for me to pick up and took me a long time to finish. That said, I do think this would be an enjoyable book club selection. Even if others were like me and struggled to finish, it's a short book and so many important topics to discuss.
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Carol J. (Isle, MN)
Historical fiction relevant for today
I enjoy historical fiction, especially when it teaches me about an occurrence in history I knew nothing about. Who knew there was an island off the coast of Maine that was once a refuge for mixed race peoples, that was devastated during the time of eugenics. Hardings prose is so lyrical and so descriptive of the Island and its inhabitants. Theirs was not an easy nor comfortable existence, but all the inhabitants of the Island were loved and accepted by all the inhabitants. The story of Ethan Honey is heart wrenching; to have his talent obscured by his heritage.
I think this would be a great book club book. Short, but with lots of meat to discuss. A must read that will be the cause of much reflection. Enjoy.
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Gloria L. (Fountain Valley, CA)
The Other Eden
This book was a totally different read from what I expected. The author used names that I found hard to follow. Apple Island inhabitants were clearly illustrated which made understanding what they endured disturbing. Prejudice and prejudging people without making any effort to learn more about them was at the core of this story. For me, it was not an easy read. It is truly deep and philosophical.
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Cheryl W. (Crosby, MN)
Shameful
This is such a sad story when someone else decides what is best for others. I was so saddened. There is a great cast of characters who are living with poverty but surviving the best they can. A mainlander decided he would educate the children and decided the island could be evacuated and make it a tourist destination. We have done this to indigenous people and animals while trying to destroy our earth.
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Sandy P. (Chandler, AZ)
An Island Community
This is a story of resilience, of survival, of human dignity. The author uses beautiful but raw language to tell us the history of this island community in his own writing style. There are themes of philosophy, art and carpentry mixed with family, food, love and death. I found the writing format to be challenging with the wandering sentences and paragraphs. I highly recommend this thought provoking novel for deep book club discussion.
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Dorothy H. (Folsom, CA)
Historical Fiction Malaga Island Maine mid 1800-1912
I found the book descriptive and lyrically written about the very poor multicultural people living on the Island. It will make for an interesting book club selection for discussion of interracial marriage, unwanted incest relationships, and eugenics.
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Carole A. (Rancho Mirage, CA)
Worthy of a discussion
Historical fiction has come to be my favorite genre and so I looked forward to receiving this advance copy. I'm a sit down and keep reading type of reader. Not with this book. It was actually the third time I picked up the book that I was able to get past the first part and into where the writing flowed and then it was smooth sailing.
Having had the opportunity to be on some of these very small and remote islands off both the eastern and northwestern coasts it was easy to visualize this island with all the good, bad and ugly that comes with the isolation. The poverty is seen in many places and, even nearer to a populated area, is devastating to view and yet people live and love no matter the circumstances.
Harding brings to light what was a dark time in history and I contend it continues in various ways to still be a blight of discrimination whether race, economic status or education. There is a lot of chatter recently about intergenerational trauma and eugenics which is certainly voiced within these pages.
While I did not love this book it certainly is a book to make one stop - take a deep breath - and be aware of not letting history repeat itself. It is a book worthy of a book club read for the discussions that could ensue.
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