Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The Island: A Novel

Elin Hilderbrand

Birdie Cousins has thrown herself into the details of her daughter Chess's lavish wedding, from the floating dance floor in her Connecticut backyard pond to the color of the cocktail napkins.  Like any mother of a bride-to-be, she is weathering the storms of excitement and chaos, tears and joy.  But Birdie, a woman who prides herself on preparing for every possibility, could never have predicted the late-night phone call from Chess abruptly announcing that she's cancelled her engagement.
.
It's only the first hint of what will be a summer of upheavals and revelations. Before the dust has even begun to settle, far worse news arrives, sending Chess into a tailspin of despair.  Reluctantly taking a break from the first new romance she's embarked on since the recent end of her thirty-year marriage, Birdie circles the wagons and enlists the help of her younger daughter Tate, and her own sister, India.  Soon all four are headed to beautiful, rustic Tuckernuck Island, off the coast of Nantucket, where their family has summered for generations.  No phones, no television no grocery store - a place where they can escape their troubles.

But when sisters, daughters, ex-lovers, and long-kept secrets come together on a remote island, what might sound like a peaceful getaway becomes much more.  Before summer has ended, dramatic truths are uncovered, old loves are rekindled, and new loves make themselves known.  It's a summertime story only Elin Hilderbrand can tell, filled with the heartache, laughter, and surprises that have made her compelling, bestselling novels as much a part of summer as a long afternoon on a sunny beach.


My Take:

Did you ever hear a story from someone (usually a grandparent) that started off a little slow, and you were a bit antsy, but once you got used to the "just takin' my time" vibe of the story, you started to get into it and really enjoy it?  That was The Island for me.  At first, I was like come on, pick up the pace, but I realized I was just being impatient and I needed to just slow down and let the author tell me a story.  The author really took the time to create rich and diverse characters, while still giving them little links to one another so that it is obvious that they  are a family.  The bulk of the story takes place on an island near Nantucket called Tuckernuck, where there is no electricity, no cars, no hot water.  People go there to relax and take their time doing a whole lot of nothing.  This is very much the vibe of the book, it isn't so much about what happens to these ladies, but more about exploring the character's thoughts, feelings and reactions to the events.  This is a great book to bring to the beach, or some other relaxing environment when you just want to take it easy.  The book isn't exciting, but it is very fulfilling.  In many ways I found the characters to be unrelatable; everyone in the story ranges from very wealthy to filthy rich, owns a summer home, globe trots, has a fabulous job, went to an Ivy League school and eats things like blue fish pate.  But these are just surface things, when it came to the character traits that really mattered, it was easy to connect.  You've got old comforting conflict standbys like a younger sister living in the shadow of the older sister, the housewife regretting never getting an education, and of course, youthful unrequited love.  Don't worry though, the overall conflict is not generic, each woman has her own set of problems, and how each handles them ranged from such things as quiting a cushy job and shaving their head to slicing up a masterful painting.  I grew to love each character and would highly recommend this book to someone looking for something mellow and fulfilling.  2, Borders with a Coupon

Audio book Review:  The audio book wasn't great but it wasn't bad.  Little things the actress did with her voice drove me crazy, but I am super OCD when picking up on the little things in people's speech patterns.  

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated R for brief strong language, adult situations and sexual content



***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***


If you are interested in purchasing The Island, please consider supporting  The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon links, thank you!














46 comments:

Unknown said...

I have been wanting to win this and have entered so many giveaways for it! I am totally intersted in the story with such wide review ranges. I also would like to try an audiobook.
schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

I am already a follower
schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

your button is on my side bar
http://acozyreaderscorner.blogspot.com
schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

I posted the giveaway on my side bar
http://acozyreaderscorner.blogspot.com
schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

Sheila Deeth said...

I'd like to read it. I've read a few books recently that have made me slow down--an enjoyable experience.

Unknown said...

I posted a entry on my blog about audio books and mentioned your giveaway.
http://acozyreaderscorner.blogspot.com/2010/09/audio-books-yes-or-no.html
schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

I left a comment on this post:
http://thebookbuff.blogspot.com/2010/01/five-people-you-meet-in-heaven.html
schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

Color! Thats my suggest for improval... that or the tabs option blogspot has, if you would like to free up some of your sidebar space?

schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

Hard questions.. I like your blog and I followed for a reason! ( : Reviews! ( :

Unknown said...

oops.. schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com for that last comment

heather@actingbalanced.com said...

I don't usually enter giveaways for audio books but this one intrigues me...

new google follower

Anonymous said...

hey there - just surfing over from 20SB! Thanks for the welcome wagon. Adding you to my google reader!!

Mar

Emma B. said...

I am a new follower from 20SB! I love audio books! :)

cheapskate4life at hotmail.com

Emma B. said...

Suggestion to improve would be maybe beef up your background (i.e. not white) to add some color and interest to your page!

cheapskate4life at hotmail.com

Jenn said...

not entering to win.... just commenting on the review. I looooved the review. So honest and I appreciate how the reviews are written so that we can determine if this is a book for us. :) While I realize this type of book is not really my thing, it is nice to see reviews that break it down and show me what I may miss out on... helps give me pause. :) Thanks for the honesty and keep 'em comin'!

Unknown said...

Your button is on my page!

reneebrick15@gmail.com

Great Thoughts said...

Great site- I just found it. I also have a book review site at www.greatthoughts.com

We have read a few of the same books.

Best,
Andrea
www.greatthoughts.com
twitter @gr8thoughts

Tallulah A. Scribbles said...

I tweeted the giveaway. ~ Una

www.unascribbles.wordpress.com
unascribbles@gmail.com
twitter @unascribbles

Tallulah A. Scribbles said...

I am already a follower. ~ Sonia

www.unascribbles.wordpress.com
unascribbles@gmail.com
twitter @unascribbles

Tallulah A. Scribbles said...

Mentioned the giveaway on Facebook.

unascribbles@gmail.com

Kristi said...

I'm a new follower and would LOVE to be entered in the giveaway!

wardkristi (at) hotmail (dot) com

alexa said...

Alexa Nernberg
(alexa.1959@live.com)

September 23 Tweet:

alexanernberg

The Book Buff Giveaway - The Island: A Novel @http://thebookbuff.blogspot.com/2010/09/island-novel.html

alexa said...

Alexa Nernberg
(alexa.1959@live.com)

I am a new follower of The Book Buff. I follow with Google Friend Connect as alexa.1959

alexa said...

Alexa Nernberg
(alexa.1959@live.com)

The Island sounds very interesting. Thanks for the giveaway and for the opportunity to participate.

alexa said...

Alexa Nernberg
(alexa.1959@live.com)

I shared this giveaway on Facebook. My Facebook username is Alexa Nernberg

joyh82 said...

I just tweeted about the giveaway..
@joyh82
jhoorm01atyahoodotcom

joyh82 said...

Just became a Follower..
jhoorm01atyahoodotcom

Unknown said...

I follow you on twitter (@turfia) turfia[at] gmail.com

Unknown said...

tweet http://twitter.com/?status=Reading:%20The%20Book%20Buff%20-%20http://thebookbuff.blogspot.com/2010/09/island-novel.html%20%28@BBW%29#!/TurFia/status/25816267178
turfia18@gmail.com

Lynette said...

I'm following you with Twitter (as @picpocketbooks) and GFC. I just entered your Texas Roads giveaway, but truth be told, I'd love to read The Island even more!

Denny, Alaska said...

Please, count me in for your giveaway! Thanks.

denny(dot)gill(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I tweeted! - http://twitter.com/lemonslippers/status/26005338242 - wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I became a follower through Google Friend Connect. wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

AmberLaShell said...

Ok, I am in it to win it!

I followed you (amberlashell@gmail.com)
I put your button on my side bar
(amberlashell.com)
I tweeted you (@amberlashell)
I facebooked you (amberlashell@yahoo.com)
and I mentioned you in my blog... (amberlashell.com)

Great blog...

Anonymous said...

I've read other books by her and really liked them! I'd love to listen to this one.
The website looks great, I'd make the background a little darker so the hearts stand out more.
aeodom76(at)hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Tweeted the giveaway id @vickcook01

http://twitter.com/?status=Reading:%20The%20Book%20Buff%20-%20http://thebookbuff.blogspot.com/2010/09/island-novel.html%20(@BBW)#!/vickcook01/status/27369233000

Unknown said...

Your button has been permanently glued in my sidebar

Unknown said...

I am already a follower of The Book Buff

WannaBmamma said...

I've just discovered your page and I'm definintely a follower now!!

I also tweeted about your giveaways. Check me out: @robynpratt


-RB
http://justaddwaterlife.blogspot.com

prattkidd51@gmail.com

jared's mum said...

i love books too that is why am loving your site..too bad i can't join the giveaway..be sure to include the rest of the world in your contest next time..grabbed ur badge and is now following you too...:)

The Book Buff said...

Sorry Jared's mum-I don't control that aspect of the contest guidelines, I leave it up to the publisher/author, because they are the ones picking up the shipping charges :) I make giveaways international when I can!

Cheryl L said...

I follow gfc as barginmom
ccrlund at gmail dot com

Nancye said...

Follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/28365530088

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I posted about this Giveaway on my Facebook wall.
FB ID: Nancye Epperson Davis
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=1590164998

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I enjoy reading your blog, however, the directions for entering giveaways were a bit vague and needed more direct links so you don't have to go looking for them.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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