georgemay's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
bookishlysophie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A powerfully emotive book that will have you hooked. I loved the layers to this story and how it covered multiple generations. The characters are complex but their actions make so much sense. I’d highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Chronic illness
crikhopit's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book; I didn't love it. I can't put my finger on it. The writing was good, the story was good, the characters were good. Perhaps this book was, just simply, good? The story of a leper colony off the coast of Greece and the family whose members are intertwined with the island...was just simply that.
elysia_knight's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Leprosy has nothing to do with being a leprechaun.
rebeccatc's review against another edition
2.0
2020 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge: book with the same title as a movie or TV show but is unrelated to it. This book was just okay for me. I learned a bit about leprosy in the 20th Century, but I think the author tried to cover too much ground. The premise of a young woman in 2001 thinking about breaking up with her boyfriend so she finally decides to ask her mother about her past was weak. Her mother Sofia’s character was completely undeveloped. The plot jumped back and forth between the island where the leperous Eleni was sent and the village so much I never got a good sense of either, and throw in some World War II occupation and I think the author was completely out of her depth. The long-suffering Georgis never got a satisfying conclusion to his story. The dialogue was stilted. In spite of so much tragedy, nothing about the story really moved me.
pippamjtod's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
laura_n_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
madonodrim's review against another edition
4.0
My partner recommended this prior to our trip to Crete; perfectly timed as we visited the island of Spinalonga via Elounda during the holiday. Victoria's tale thoroughly respects the history and feel of the island; from it's proximity to Plaka through to the houses and market present on Spinalonga.
The story itself revolves around Alexis; the daughter of Sofia who's secretive past is tied to the island itself. Victoria uses this as a framing mechanism to outline Sofia's family history and association with Spinalonga.
For me the focus on a romantic plot was less interesting than her discussion on the treatment and dogma surrounding leper's.
Definitely recommended if you visit Crete
The story itself revolves around Alexis; the daughter of Sofia who's secretive past is tied to the island itself. Victoria uses this as a framing mechanism to outline Sofia's family history and association with Spinalonga.
For me the focus on a romantic plot was less interesting than her discussion on the treatment and dogma surrounding leper's.
Definitely recommended if you visit Crete
jessysilvy's review against another edition
5.0
Left speechless.
Well, I picked the book up, started reading and put it down for a long time until I started reading it again.
I initially started reading this expecting something “more” but when I put this book down and decided to give it another go I realised that it doesn’t need more. It’s a heart wrenching story, that is utterly fantastic. Although I assume it is a fictional story to bring to light what leprosy is and how people where treated it really opens your eyes and helps you understand history as well as explaining a beautiful love story between people and father and daughter.
A beautiful story, one that made me very emotional at the end and can only capture a fragment of what it really must have been like.
I honestly couldn’t recommend the book more to anyone!
Well, I picked the book up, started reading and put it down for a long time until I started reading it again.
I initially started reading this expecting something “more” but when I put this book down and decided to give it another go I realised that it doesn’t need more. It’s a heart wrenching story, that is utterly fantastic. Although I assume it is a fictional story to bring to light what leprosy is and how people where treated it really opens your eyes and helps you understand history as well as explaining a beautiful love story between people and father and daughter.
A beautiful story, one that made me very emotional at the end and can only capture a fragment of what it really must have been like.
I honestly couldn’t recommend the book more to anyone!
beanypole's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0