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This Other Eden  By  cover art

This Other Eden

By: Paul Harding
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
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Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

LONGLISTED FOR THE 2023 BOOKER PRIZE

Set at the beginning of the twentieth century and inspired by historical events, This Other Eden tells the story of Apple Island: an enclave off the coast of the United States where waves of castaways - in flight from society and its judgment - have landed and built a home.

Benjamin Honey- American, Bantu, Igbo- born enslaved- freed or fled at fifteen- aspiring orchardist, arrived on the island with his Irish wife, Patience, and discovered they could make a life together there. More than a century later, the Honeys' descendants remain, with an eccentric, diverse band of neighbours. Then comes the intrusion of 'civilization': officials determine to 'cleanse' the island, and a missionary schoolteacher selects one light-skinned boy to save. The rest will succumb to the authorities' institutions or cast themselves on the waters in a new Noah's Ark.

Full of lyricism and power, Paul Harding's This Other Eden explores the hopes and dreams and resilience of those seen not to fit a world brutally intolerant of difference.

©2023 Paul Harding (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

'Masterful . . . [This Other Eden] has much to say to our times.' Guardian

'A testament of love . . . so real it could make you weep.' Danez Smith, New York Times

'A luminous, thought-provoking novel.' Esi Edugyan, author of Washington Black

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I finished it, but I did not enjoy it very much.

I thought this would be a great book, but unfortunately, I could not get into this book at first. I restarted it over and over again and found it impossible to listen to. (Maybe it would be better on paper than via audio.) The many characters were confusing. The style felt detached. That said, after reading so many good reviews elsewhere, I forced myself to persevere, and I finished it. There were beautiful and poignant moments. The novel evoked anger and pathos. I really felt for the characters and even the dogs, and I enjoyed the tale about Ethan and Bridget. This book definitely carries an important message about humanity and cruelty, dominance and unfairness, family and suffering. The book contains some beautiful prose.

I did not like the tone of the narrator very much. Cannot put my finger on it, though.

God speed to this book in the Booker Prize race. I think it is a worthy contender, but I would not vote for it to win.

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