This Other Eden

De: Paul Harding

Narrado por: Edoardo Ballerini

Brought to you by Penguin.

In 1792, formerly enslaved Benjamin Honey and his Irish wife, Patience, discover an island where they can make a life together. More than a century later, the Honeys' descendants remain, with an eccentric, diverse band of neighbours. But during one tumultuous summer at the dawn of the twentieth century, one prejudiced missionary lands on the island's shores, disrupting the community's fragile balance with everlasting consequences.

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.

'Masterful . . . has much to say to our times' Guardian

'Begs to be read' Spectator

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

©2023 Paul Harding (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

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

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.