Book Description:
Things between me and Papa are so different to what me and Mum have. It’s been that way since the first day. An invisible bond. Papa was the one who never stopped encouraging me to strive for my goals. ‘Take every opportunity dis country give you, ich mwen,’ he’d always said… When Yvette receives a call to say her estranged father Joe has been attacked in a seemingly random act of violence, she rushes to his side. She’d stayed with her mother after her parents separated, but never forgot her father’s kind and caring ways. Memories of his wide smile and loving embraces – so different to her mother Doli – have always sustained her. But when she arrives, ready to make peace and help him in any way she can, she finds a man different to the larger-than-life father she remembers. Joe is fighting for his life, but is also haunted by memories of his past. He begs Yvette to help him find out the truth… About the journey that brought him and a beautiful young woman called Doli together, as they both travelled – as part of the Windrush Generation, to start new lives in Britain. About the lives they left behind in St Lucia. And about a dark secret – one that he has carried with him since stepping off the ship that wet and chilly August day. That threatened his and Doli’s marriage from the very beginning… Only Yvette can find out what really happened on that crossing. Because, for forty years, Joe has believed that he killed a man. A man who had had feelings for Doli too. And who – as Joe knows – might hold the key to Yvette’s own story… What follows is a heart-stopping debut novel about family, identity, secrets, lies, and the journeys that define us. It will grip you, challenge you, and ultimately break you into a thousand pieces. Perfect for fans of Small Island and Girl, Woman, Other.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'This Other Island' by Steffanie Edward.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Steffanie Edward, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous.
Publication date 21st May 2021.
This is the first book I have read by this author. It is also Steffanie's debut novel.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. It also stated in the synopsis that this book is 'Perfect for fans of Small Island and Girl, Woman, Other'. I am a fan of 'Small Island' so am looking forward to see if it lives up to this. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 49 chapters. The chapters are medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in London, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.
This book is written in first person perspective with the main protagonists being Doli and Yvette. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. There are also some third person perspective chapters with the protagonist Joe.
'This Other Island' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Steffanie discusses/ includes some sexual scenes.
This book is well written with vivid descriptions that places you on the scenes throughout. The cover, title and synopsis work well with the storyline.
The storyline itself is quite an emotional rollercoaster as we see Yvette's life through her own eyes and through her mothers also. It was quite thought provoking at times and makes you question the big nature/nurture debate. The dialect that it was written in really helped me feel like I was being spoken to in the characters accents but at times it did take me a bit of time to work out what was being sent. I would not have changed it though as it really helped me feel like I was being spoken to directly which helped put me in the storyline. The plot itself was realistic which also helped me picture the scenes. I laughed on several occasions at some of the completely unexpected scenes, words and phrases that was being said, the most when it came to Cedric's teeth!! There were times where I laughed, others where I was quite shocked and others where I was tearful so this is definitely a roller coaster ride of thoughts and emotions.
The characters were strong and realistic and each had their own personalities. I really felt for Yvette on many occasions throughout the book and I was very pleased it ended the way it did, although I would have liked it to go on just that bit longer to discover Aaron's response. I was absolutely disgusted by Agnes and what went on and I'm sure many readers will agree with me. I really enjoyed Joe's larger than life personality but really didn't click with Doli and found her quite childish at times. I would definitely love to read more on each of these characters lives as individuals and to read more about what happens next with Dionne, Ian, Aaron, Doli, Cedric and more!!
Overall an emotionally charged novel that will keep you hooked throughout.
Genres covered in this book include Historical Fiction and Coming-of-age amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'Small Island' and for anyone looking for an intriguing read.
309 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 4 /5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
@SteffanieEdward @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio:
Steffanie Edward was born in St Lucia, brought up in London and now straddles between the two.
Anancy, Crick-crick and other Caribbean folk stories have been a part of her life since childhood. In her late teens she enjoyed reading Susan Howatch and books on slavery. Her absolute favourite reads have been Wild Seed by Octavia E Bulter, and Woman At Point Zero by Naawal El Saadawi.
Her writing career started with short stories, five of which have been published. Her first attempt at writing a novel was over twenty years ago, whilst living and working in Abu Dhabi. That novel, Yvette, didn’t make it into print, but the main protagonist, Yvette, has muscled her way into Steffanie’s debut novel, This Other Island.
https://www.saedward.com/
https://twitter.com/EdwardsaEdward
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://bit.ly/3w64Jn5
Apple: https://apple.co/3qNJQLd
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2ZK7CvM
Google: https://bit.ly/3kgXapi
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