Ratings17
Average rating3.6
In 1792, formerly enslaved Benjamin Honey and his Irish wife, Patience, discover an island where they can make a life together. Over a century later, the Honeys’ descendants and a diverse group of neighbors are desperately poor, isolated, and often hungry, but nevertheless protected from the hostility awaiting them on the mainland.
During the tumultuous summer of 1912, Matthew Diamond, a retired, idealistic but prejudiced schoolteacher-turned-missionary, disrupts the community’s fragile balance through his efforts to educate its children. His presence attracts the attention of authorities on the mainland who, under the influence of the eugenics-thinking popular among progressives of the day, decide to forcibly evacuate the island, institutionalize its residents, and develop the island as a vacation destination. Beginning with a hurricane flood reminiscent of the story of Noah’s Ark, the novel ends with yet another Ark.
In prose of breathtaking beauty and power, Paul Harding brings to life an unforgettable cast of characters: Iris and Violet McDermott, sisters raising three orphaned Penobscot children; Theophilus and Candace Larks and their brood of vagabond children; the prophetic Zachary Hand to God Proverbs, a Civil War veteran who lives in a hollow tree; and more. A spellbinding story of resistance and survival, This Other Eden is an enduring testament to the struggle to preserve human dignity in the face of intolerance and injustice.
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Does that mean all of Paul's books share the same Hardingverse (TM)?
Probably the most gorgeous, breath taking imagery you'll read all year.
The audio book version of “This Other Eden” by Paul Harding is a well-produced and emotionally charged listening experience. The narrator does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and capturing the lyrical quality of the prose. The tone of the narration is well-suited to the mood of the book, and the narrator's voice is clear and easy to listen to for extended periods of time.
One of the strengths of the audio book is the ability to experience the rich and evocative prose in a new way. The narrator's delivery enhances the emotional impact of the story, making the listener feel more connected to the characters and their experiences.
The audiobook of “This Other Eden” certainly sparked my interest to delve deeper into the history of Malaga Island and the interracial communities residing there during that time period. The flood that occurred on the island was especially intriguing to me.
However, some listeners may find the pace of the story to be slow and plodding. The heavy-handed themes and emotions may also turn off some listeners, as the author relies on melodrama rather than subtlety to convey them.
In conclusion, the audio book version of “This Other Eden” is a well-produced and emotionally charged listening experience. If you're a fan of literary fiction and enjoy audio books, this may be a good choice for you..
Thanks to Netgalley for the audio ARC