On the Island

By: Tracey Garvis Graves

Narrated by: Heidi Baker

Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

When 30-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day.

T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that anyone asked him. He's almost 17 and if having cancer wasn't bad enough, now he has to spend his first summer in remission with his family - and a stack of overdue assignments - instead of his friends.

Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family in the Maldives when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island. Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter.

Their basic needs might be met but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.'s cancer could return.

As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.

©2011 Tracey Garvis-Graves (P)2012 Tracey Garvis-Graves

So sweet

Although at times unbelieveable, I thought the story was sweet and loved the characters. I enjoyed both on and off the island. I found the narrarators voice to be happy and enthusiastic the way I'd expect Anna to be. I agree her voice didn't change enough for TJ but it didn't bother me.

Easy, fun listen!

Yes, as other reviewers have pointed out, there are some unrealistic things about this story. I'll leave you to decide what things. But I don't think the author's intention was to write a survivalist novel. It's a romance and very heart warming. I enjoyed the development of the characters and the struggles they did face. I loved the story. I also loved the narrator's voice. One recommendation, as the narrator does not change her intonation for each character, just listen closely at the beginning of each chapter and you will know from who's point of view the story is being told. That solves the problem and then it is totally enjoyable.

Sincere and touching story

loved the flow of this story. the struggles and romance sucks you in and doesn't let go.

Story was ok but narrator terrible

Right from the very beginning I did not like the narrator for this book. Give me a depressing subject matter of moving along on a deserted island I found her voice way too upbeat and annoying

k

not the run of the mill storyline, nice lite read
excellent "reader" good "beach" book for vacation

Loved the story, not the narrator

I actually cried several times during this book despite my issues with the narrator. I urge you to READ this book! You've got two people stranded on an island facing horrible conditions but the narrator makes it sound like two people hanging out at club med. She was WAY too upbeat throughout the ENTIRE book. There are times to be happy, times to be sad, times to be angry. Her voice never changed despite the circumstances. Outside of that, I really enjoyed the story itself.

When is paridise not

This is not my "normal" book but the cover and idea grabbed my attention and I am so glad that it did.

TJ and Anna where real this was not a instant fall in love and everything is perfect story. Graves grabbed me from the first chapter and did not let me go thru the end. She wove a realistic love story between 2 unlikely lovers. The suffering just strengthened both Anna and TJ and inside and out.

It is defiantly worth your time and credit.

interesting book.

I loved the characters and made me care about them. Baker was great but often talked really fast but slower the pace and it's perfect I spent the whole day listening on the island all day

Amazing!

This is the second time I have read On the Island. I read it 10+ years ago and loved it and listened to it this time. My only comment is the narrator wasn’t great. She read too upbeat, fast and monotone for the characters. It’s like the voice was permanently happy and enthusiastic even though they were stranded and dying on an island. The story itself is great. I am going to purchase the book so next time I can just read it myself. I didn’t even know there was a follow up novella. Definitely buying that as well!

Enjoyed the story and Loved the narrator!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, do buy this audiobook! Enjoyed the story, characters and a happy ending! Interesting survival tips, in case I ever get stranded on an island. I will definitely pack lots of earrings with hoops!

What does Heidi Baker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I listen to 2 -3 audiobooks a month and a good narrator is a must. I have listened to books, based on the narrator alone, and this narrator, Heidi, would fit into this catagory. What a joy to listen to!

Any additional comments?

I first downloaded this book based on the author being an Iowan, and wasn't disappointed. Any new books in the works?