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alexryan3's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It is a bit of a yap fest, but a beautiful, thought-provoking yap fest. Huxley’s thoughts on Buddhism, utopia, suffering, and life in general are all super interesting. While this is really a philosophy/sociology book disguised as a typical novel, it still has a decent plot to follow along with that helps to highlight the true themes of the book. Overall, I found it to be enjoyable and interesting.
ana_vf's review
3.0
Uma história sobre Pala, uma ilha utópica, onde a povoação vive em harmonia e união, até ao dia em que começam a deparar-se com a possibilidade da sua terra passar por um processo de industrialização…
Os habitantes regem-se por ideologias e filosofias do mundo oriental, como o hinduísmo, budismo e utilizam psicadélicos como o moshka, de forma a focarem-se no que realmente importa - o presente! Achei curioso o facto do autor ter criado os “Mainás” - os pássaros que gritam “atenção, atenção!”, de forma a advertirem os habitantes, cada vez que estes deixam de ter a sua atenção focada no agora.
Devo dizer que este livro tinha todo o potencial para me “agarrar”, mas não foi o que aconteceu… Gostei dos conceitos, das ideias e das mensagens abordadas, gostei das personagens, mas a forma como a história acontece torna-se completamente secante, mesmo antes das primeiras 100 páginas. Quando Will tem, finalmente, a sua primeira experiência com moshka, tudo o que eu li foram frases feitas, que me acompanharam, grande parte do tempo, na leitura deste livro…
Como já era de esperar, assim que o terminei, senti uma lufada de ar fresco
Os habitantes regem-se por ideologias e filosofias do mundo oriental, como o hinduísmo, budismo e utilizam psicadélicos como o moshka, de forma a focarem-se no que realmente importa - o presente! Achei curioso o facto do autor ter criado os “Mainás” - os pássaros que gritam “atenção, atenção!”, de forma a advertirem os habitantes, cada vez que estes deixam de ter a sua atenção focada no agora.
Devo dizer que este livro tinha todo o potencial para me “agarrar”, mas não foi o que aconteceu… Gostei dos conceitos, das ideias e das mensagens abordadas, gostei das personagens, mas a forma como a história acontece torna-se completamente secante, mesmo antes das primeiras 100 páginas. Quando Will tem, finalmente, a sua primeira experiência com moshka, tudo o que eu li foram frases feitas, que me acompanharam, grande parte do tempo, na leitura deste livro…
Como já era de esperar, assim que o terminei, senti uma lufada de ar fresco
baju's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The 20 pages before the ending kind of lost me. .
jamerkel_author's review against another edition
3.0
Island gives great insight into a foreigner's mind in a strange, new land. Will Farnaby is the perfect example of someone running from a past life, even though the situation may be circumstantial. He asks the important questions throughout his journey on the island of Pala, bringing the reader along with him at every turn. What is the meaning of a traditional home, and mother and father figures? How could having more than one mother or father be different? Island demonstrates the very crucial idea that the education of a people - a nation, dictates everything that follows. Natural resources, and financial stability, among other things can affect the lives of nationals of any country, but education is the core of everything. If children grow into adults learning the wrong ways to do things, everything falls apart, as is with the situation surrounding Murugan.
Island is heavy on dialogue, and short on action. It has a feel to it, all its own, that makes the reader feel as if they are there, on some isolated island, distant from the rest of the world and all its mechanisms. It is a smooth read - very well written and captivating dialogue that makes the characters come alive. However, I love action and adventure more than anything. Because of that, for me, Island ends up somewhere between 3 and 4 stars.
Island is heavy on dialogue, and short on action. It has a feel to it, all its own, that makes the reader feel as if they are there, on some isolated island, distant from the rest of the world and all its mechanisms. It is a smooth read - very well written and captivating dialogue that makes the characters come alive. However, I love action and adventure more than anything. Because of that, for me, Island ends up somewhere between 3 and 4 stars.
thinkspink's review against another edition
3.0
I read this soon after Doors of Perception, and found it an interesting companion. Not really a novel, more a series of forced scenarios, where the Palanese describe their culture. I liked it more than I thought I would, especially the writing style. Although I did find some of the ideas about family somewhat unlikely when read with a modern perspective. And I thought the final moksha dream was the highlight.
ofabio's review
2.0
An over detailed description with some psychologic and philosophical insights that's, sometimes, painfully boring to read.
djennuz's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
glossy's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Value of this book lies in its utopian philosophy and critique of totalitarian societies. There's very little plot and it serves just to deliver the ideas of this imaginary idealistic country.
I read it back in my early twenties and I was more amazed with it then. Now I think there must be better books on the topic.
I read it back in my early twenties and I was more amazed with it then. Now I think there must be better books on the topic.
julie_s's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25