Red Island House Audiobook By Andrea Lee cover art

Red Island House

A Novel

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Red Island House

By: Andrea Lee
Narrated by: Bahni Turpin
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From National Book Award–nominated writer Andrea Lee comes Red Island House, a travel epic that opens a window on the mysterious African island of Madagascar, and on the dangers of life and love in paradise, as seen through the eyes of a Black American heroine.

“People do mysterious things when they think they have found paradise,” reflects Shay, the heroine of Red Island House. When Shay, an intrepid Black American professor, marries Senna, a brash Italian businessman, she doesn’t imagine that her life’s greatest adventure will carry her far beyond their home in Milan: to an idyllic stretch of beach in Madagascar where Senna builds a flamboyant vacation villa. Before she knows it, she becomes the reluctant mistress of a sprawling household, caught between her privileged American upbringing and her connection to the continent of her ancestors. So begins Shay’s journey into the heart of a remote African country. Can she keep her identity and her marriage intact amid the wild beauty and the lingering colonial sins of this mysterious world that both captivates and destroys foreigners?

A mesmerizing, powerful tale of travel and self-discovery that evokes Isabel Allende’s House of the Spirits and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah, Red Island House showcases an extraordinary literary voice and gorgeously depicts a lush and unknown world. African American Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Africa

Critic reviews

"Turpin gives a lively, arch performance, capturing the history and magic of Madagascar as well as Shay's personality. Listeners who are searching for a unique novel that intertwines plot with setting will soak in this experience. Turpin jumps back and forth between details of the island's vivid past and Shay's urgent present, filled with the demands of work, parenting, and marriage. This entertaining title will engage listeners until the very end."

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This is a long tale, but through the detailed descriptions of Madagascar, I was able to imagine the far away place and culture. It’s very well written., with a perfect narrator. There are several separate storylines involving characters and languages I have never thought of. These stories are told through the eyes of the main character, Shay. Good read.!

Great Writer. Three Different Cultures

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what a wonderful poignant perspective on international as well as cultural and ethnic practices. these do have an effect on individuals.

a different view

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An important work, weaving in... origin story experiences in global cultures. I feel Neritrani has its roots in my own Bay Area soil.

Triumphant

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Great story, interesting characters, beautifully written and really captivating. I just loved this book and recommend for anyone who likes quality in their fiction.


Brilliant, unique and fascinating book!

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I enjoyed the storyline, performance and how the story ended. I was able to paint vivid pictures of Madagascar at times when she was giving descriptions. I appreciated that sometimes Shay paused and thought about the situation before responding. I also was appreciative of how she had the tendency to check herself and the situation, making her an open minded individual in my eyesight. The only distraction I encountered was when the reader spoke other languages without providing an interpretation of what was said.
Thanks!

Good Company Keeper

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