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jaclyncrupi's review against another edition
4.0
My first Booker read on the grid. Harding is an achingly stunningly beautiful writer and this is a fine work from him. It’s the best kind of historical fiction – set in the past while being incredibly revealing about our present. I won’t be mad at all if it wins but I doubt it will be my first choice (just need to read 12 more books).
elleherrera's review against another edition
3.0
A sloooooow start. The story is lyrically written, with themes of generational trauma and the very clear difference between intent and impact. Some people didn’t like how it bounced narratives from person to person, but I liked that.
The writing occasionally seemed to try too hard to be poetic-as though it was forced. I also want to note that the controversy about the book is that it fed into the likely false narrative of incest and filth of Malaga Island.
The writing occasionally seemed to try too hard to be poetic-as though it was forced. I also want to note that the controversy about the book is that it fed into the likely false narrative of incest and filth of Malaga Island.
rmarcin's review against another edition
3.0
Based on actual events, this story is about a multi-racial community that is changed when outsiders come in and try to impose their ideas and ideals on the community.
Apple Island is based on Malaga Island, off the coast of Maine, which was one of the first racially integrated towns in the northeastern US.
Benjamin Honey, a former slave, and his wife, who is from Ireland, come to the island to live together without fear of prejudice and persecution. Years later, their descendants are living on the island. In 1912, a schoolteacher, Matthew Diamond, comes to the island. He finds that the children are remarkably knowledgable, for ex. some are fluent in Latin, others are experts in other subjects. People on the mainland decide they need to evacuate the island.
It is a sad account of what happens when people decide their way is better, just because they don't. understand another's culture.
Apple Island is based on Malaga Island, off the coast of Maine, which was one of the first racially integrated towns in the northeastern US.
Benjamin Honey, a former slave, and his wife, who is from Ireland, come to the island to live together without fear of prejudice and persecution. Years later, their descendants are living on the island. In 1912, a schoolteacher, Matthew Diamond, comes to the island. He finds that the children are remarkably knowledgable, for ex. some are fluent in Latin, others are experts in other subjects. People on the mainland decide they need to evacuate the island.
It is a sad account of what happens when people decide their way is better, just because they don't. understand another's culture.
hbmcc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
logophile_life's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
theblueforest's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
woolfy_vita's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
carydavis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The written word is breathtaking. While it’s prose, it’s as though poetry in the mind. The characters were quirky and strange and beautiful and a little scary. One wants to sit with each of them, watching him and her smoke and rock and consider the day. The love story was sweet and a refreshing bit in the middle of a mysterious story.
Deserves all the awards. Beautiful.
Deserves all the awards. Beautiful.
sarahmcbrinn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
meo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0