Island Beneath the Sea

A Novel

By: Isabel Allende

Narrated by: S. Epatha Merkerson

Length: 17 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Born a slave on the island of Saint-Domingue, Zarit - known as Tt - is the daughter of an African mother she never knew and one of the white sailors who brought her into bondage. Though her childhood is one of brutality and fear, Tt finds solace in the traditional rhythms of African drums and in the voodoo loas she discovers through her fellow slaves.

When 20-year-old Toulouse Valmorain arrives on the island in 1770, its with powdered wigs in his baggage and dreams of financial success in his mind. But running his fathers plantation, Saint Lazare, is neither glamorous nor easy. It will be eight years before he brings home a bride - but marriage, too, proves more difficult than he imagined. And Valmorain remains dependent on the services of his teenaged slave.

Spanning four decades, Island Beneath the Sea is the moving story of the intertwined lives of Tt and Valmorain, and of one woman's determination to find love amid loss, to offer humanity though her own has been battered, and to forge her own identity in the cruellest of circumstances.

©2010 Isabel Allende (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"In a many-faceted plot, Allende animates irresistible characters authentic in their emotional turmoil and pragmatic adaptability. She also captures the racial, sexual, and entrepreneurial dynamics of each society in sensuous detail while masterfully dramatizing the psychic wounds of slavery. Sexually explicit, Allende is grace incarnate in her evocations of the spiritual energy that still sustains the beleaguered people of Haiti and New Orleans." ( Booklist)

Good story but the narration was a bit off

Being a Spanish major who has studied abroad to Chile, I was introduced to Isabel Allende's work while in college. Of the books that I have read by her, The House of the Spirits and Mi Pais Inventado (My Invented Country), I have enjoyed how Allende ties in history with an intriguing story. I have to say that I did not quite enjoy this novel as much as the others. This could be because I am not as involved emotionally with the history of Hispanola and the slave revolt as I am with Chilean history. I did, however, gain an appreciation for what it would have been like for a slave or non-white during this time and how many attitudes in Haiti, Santo Domingo, and the United States have come to be. Also, I had difficulty getting through this book because the narrator that I listened to, while she was expertly able to pronounce all of the unusual names of people and places, was at times very dry and her inflection was a bit off. She spoke and enunciated each word slowly almost to the point where much of the emotion of the novel was lost. I would recommend this book to someone who has a love for history mixed with a good story but I would probably have enjoyed it more if I had read it as opposed to listen to it.

Nice story- Horrible narration

Maybe I’m spoiled by some of the spectacular narrators I’ve enjoyed on Audible (i.e. John Lee, Simon Slater, Paul Michael among others) but the incredibly poor narration of this lovely book almost made me put it down before the story began. I’m glad I pushed thru, because the story and the historical backdrop ultimately were worth it. It’s not going to change your life- it’s pretty predictable, but for me a very enjoyable book while commuting.

Hey Harper Audio- Here’s a thought if you’re looking for a narrator to read a book about French places, people, and culture it might be just lovely if you could find a narrator that has even the slightest grasp of the French language. To say that S. Epatha Merkerson butchered it is putting it mildly. Her reading is unsophisticated, unpolished and the constant mispronunciations of even English words was a true distraction. If you can get past that- and like historical novels- I think you’ll enjoy this book.

Beautifully written - poorly narrated

This is the first - but not the last - book by Allende that I have read. What a writer! This is one of those books that come alive and I felt swept up in the drama. Along the way you learn a lot about Haiti - slavery - and the role the French played in the New World. At many points it is a very painful and sad story - but the main character - Zarit (Tt) captures your heart and gives you the hope and courage to continue listening. I highly recommend this book in spite of the narrator who does not seem to be a professional reader.

Loved the reader

Any additional comments?

Story is soapy but captivating. Unlike the other reviewers, I loved the reader -- found her delivery subtle and understated -- a really good balance since the events were so packed with brutality and emotion. I will look for other books she's narrated.

Could not put it down

This is a must read for Isabel Allende fans. Strong female protagonists as we have grown to love an expect from Isabel Allende.

This author never disappoints

What made the experience of listening to Island Beneath the Sea the most enjoyable?

The story and the historical reference

What did you like best about this story?

The tie in with Haitian and Louisiana history

What does S. Epatha Merkerson bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

The tonality of her voice and the fact her voice is familiar from TV

excellent in all facets.

such a difficult subject told with such compassion and honesty, allowing the survivors their stories of dignity and resistance, their chance to speak for themselves. History is not forever written by the oppressor. At the same time never forgetting the complexities of a 'bad' person or a bad decision, thereby not descending into caricature and exploring the effect on both sides. Also while never forgetting the different times we live in highlighting that for some transcending one's epoch and understanding with one's heart is also possible. Adding to the library of humanism that recognises the latent greed and self-destruction present in nearly all of us and the many of us that struggled to make our better present and for a kinder and more generous future.

An enchanting listen

Allende clearly did a thorough job researching this story. I learned much while being entertained and caring about some of the people in the story. The women are more richly described and heroic than the men. I'm guessing there were other women between the pathetic and heroic during that time.

totally absorbing

A wonderful story of the plight, courage, resolve, and in some cases the triumph of Haitian slaves prior to, during and after the Haitian revolution. If you enjoy Alice Walker and Toni Morrison, or liked "The Help" then you will love this novel. I am new to the author so this was a great discovery. I couldn't put it down.

An enchanting story of Haiti ,Cuba and NewOrleans

This story gives u a look into the enchanting history of creole trade routes and how creole culture shape News Orleans.