ΤΟ ΝΗΣΙ / THE ISLAND
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Autor:
VICTORIA HISLOP
Country:
Greece (GR)
Book Theme:
From book to video
Publisher:
HISLOP VICTORIA
Publishing Year:
2020
Victoria Hislop (born 1959, Southampton, England) is a bestselling British author known for her historical fiction. She studied English at Oxford University and worked as a journalist and television producer before becoming a full-time writer. Her debut novel, The Island (2005), set in Crete, explores the history of the leper colony of Spinalonga and became a major success, adapted into a TV series. Hislop’s works often focus on Greek history and its impact on personal lives. Other notable books include The Return (2008), The Thread (2011), and Cartes Postales from Greece (2014). Her novels have been translated into over 30 languages.
National Award for Children’s and Young People’s
Abstract
The Island by Victoria Hislop is a compelling historical fiction novel set in Crete, Greece. The story revolves around the life of Alexis Fielding, a young woman who travels to Crete with her mother to uncover the secrets of her family’s past. During her stay, Alexis learns about her mother’s childhood and the tragic history of her relatives, which is tied to the leper colony of Spinalonga, an island off the coast of Crete.
The narrative shifts between two timelines: the present day, where Alexis is trying to uncover the hidden truths about her family, and the past, during the early 20th century, when Spinalonga was a leper colony. The novel explores the lives of the people who were exiled to the island, their suffering, and the stigma surrounding leprosy. Through the eyes of Alexis and the memories of her mother, the reader is taken through a poignant journey of love, betrayal, and loss.
At the heart of the story is the tragic romance between two lovers, Eleni and Spiros, and the emotional impact of being sent to Spinalonga. Their story highlights themes of isolation, resilience, and the complex relationships between people in times of hardship. Alexis’s search for her family’s history uncovers not only the painful legacy of Spinalonga but also the personal connections that bind the characters across generations.
Ultimately, The Island is a tale of discovery, as Alexis learns about the harsh realities of the past and gains a deeper understanding of her family, her identity, and the meaning of home. The novel also touches on themes of stigma, the human spirit’s ability to endure, and the bond between mother and daughter.
