The Island

A number one bestseller in the UK, this captivating and epic tale of family ties, romance, war, disease, and history is set on the beautiful Greek Island of Crete.

On the brink of a life-changing decision, Alexis Fielding plans a trip to her mother’s childhood home in Plaka, Greece hoping to unravel Sofia’s hidden past. Given a letter to take to Sofia’s old friend, Fotini, Alexis is promised that through Fotini, she will learn more.

Arriving in Plaka, Alexis is astonished to see that it lies a stone’s throw from the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga—Greece’s former leper colony. Fotini at last reveals the story that Sofia has buried all her life: the tale of her great-grandmother Eleni and her daughters, and a family rent by tragedy, war, and passion. Alexis discovers how intimately her family is connected with the island, and how secrecy holds them all in its powerful grip.

Atmospheric and captivating, The Island transports readers and keeps them gripped to the very last word.

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Published Jul 24, 2007

480 pages

Average rating: 7.81

62 RATINGS

Community Reviews

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legallybrunette

Jul 25, 2024

8/10 stars

Beautiful read! Couldn't put it down!

margardenlady

Dec 27, 2023

8/10 stars

This story of a Greek family living on the island of Crete spans several generations and describes intimately life in a leper colony just off the coast. Alexis is visiting Greece and decides to investigate her mother's family ties, which had been ignored all through Alexis's life. And she found much more than she could have imagined. Most of the novel is the story of these ancestors and their lives in the 1950s. I enjoyed this window into a world I could otherwise not have imagined.

EllaJane

Sep 28, 2022

7/10 stars

Following the lives of a family with strong connections to the historical leper colony Spinalonga. It shows the truths and struggles of living in that time and the devastating effects that lasted for years after. Hislop writes in such a way that grips you from the beginning and leaves you wanting to know more. I could not predict what would happen next which really encapsulates the audience. A good read.

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