The Island

A Novel

By: Elin Hilderbrand

Narrated by: Denice Hicks

Length: 15 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

This “deliciously addictive” (Kirkus) beach listen from Elin Hilderbrand follows a family in upheaval after a cancelled wedding fills an island summer with heartache, laughter, and surprises.

Birdie Cousins has thrown herself into the details of her daughter Chess's lavish wedding, from the floating dance floor in her Connecticut back yard to the color of the cocktail napkins. Like any mother of a bride-to-be, she is weathering the storms of excitement and chaos, tears and joy. But Birdie, a woman who prides herself on preparing for every possibility, could never have predicted the late-night phone call from Chess, abruptly announcing that she's cancelled her engagement.

It's only the first hint of what will be a summer of upheavals and revelations. Before the dust has even begun to settle, far worse news arrives, sending Chess into a tailspin of despair. Reluctantly taking a break from the first new romance she's embarked on since the recent end of her 30-year marriage, Birdie circles the wagons and enlists the help of her younger daughter Tate and her own sister India. Soon all four are headed for beautiful, rustic Tuckernuck Island, off the coast of Nantucket, where their family has summered for generations. No phones, no television, no grocery store - a place without distractions where they can escape their troubles.

But throw sisters, daughters, ex-lovers, and long-kept secrets onto a remote island, and what might sound like a peaceful getaway becomes much more. Before summer has ended, dramatic truths are uncovered, old loves are rekindled, and new loves make themselves known.

©2010 Elin Hilderbrand (P)2010 Hachette

Critic reviews

"This never-never land portrait of the rich and randy will please those looking for a satisfying beach read." ( Publishers Weekly)

Tuckernuck CAPTIVATES me! Family~Love

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

Definitely! It's an Island away from Nantucket..a place people live simply with no electricity, refrigerator~all is brought by Barrett each day food, ice, newspaper, mail. They love the simplicity of sharing with one another, reading, lying on the beach, cold showers..it's truly the life. Birdie however discovers one spot to use her cell phone a connection to Bill and to Grant!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Island?

I liked the togetherness and emotions each of the women were going through and how they were solving their life struggles. Birdie and India are sisters and Chess and Tate are Birdie's daughters. Each conquering life in different ways and yet bonding as a family. There is loved shared along with sibling arguments. All of this on a beautiful Tuckernuck Island! Everything is memorable! It captivates me at the beginning and through the entire audio I am immersed in each one of their lives and personalities. Elin Hilderbrand's books flow with life!! Each different but captivating!

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the bat scene; the sisters Chess and Tate were at such odds with each other; Tate hating her sister but when Chess has bats in the bedroom and screeches Tate is there to the rescue despite her own fears. It was a laugh out loud situation. So much has led up to this scene it's the ice breaker to sisterly love.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I could listen to Elin Hilderbrand's books everyone in one sitting. I have never read all of an author's books she is my first. She captures me at chapter one and though Nantucket is usually the scene is so unique I never get bored ever!

Any additional comments?

If you are one who wants to relax and feel you are on the Island and you like reading about real life problems this book is for you. I truly give it a 5 though I rarely give authors 5's. Enjoy!!! Life on Tuckernuck is GOOD!!

GREAT SUMMER READ

Very much enjoyed this story. Love the characters, their assorted problems/heart aches and their eventual resolutions. Most of all, loved the setting of the book in a private summer home with the females of a family coming together prior to a wedding. Really thought the narrator did a great job!

Thoroughly enjoyable

I’ve never been to this island, but thoroughly enjoyed the book, the family and the story. I found it all believable (well maybe not shaving her head!) I love beach life and have lived at a few, so I liked the story. The reader didn’t bother me, at all. A solid summer beach book.

The realistic relationships of the characters.

The peaceful setting of the book and the camaraderie of the characters made the book very realistic and heart warming.

a decent way to spend 15 hrs.

I enjoyed the story, but the thing I will probably remember most is the little details that didn't make sense. I guess the issue was that I'm the same age as the girls, would have grown up at the same time, and live in the Philadelphia area. Moat details Elin hit the nail on the head, but other minor items, particularly in the daughter's life ruined it for me (computer details, products in the girls lives, also they would have primarily grown up in the 90s, not the 80s.) Also, I don't love how Tate's character was drawn. For an independent "tomboy" who was a computer professional, she was kind of unbelievable. Chess and India were written much better. Fun, but overly sappy in parts.

I was waiting for something to happen

The main characters are on an island for a month... I was just waiting for some action to happen and not much did.

Not my favorite Hilderbrand

This was definitely not the best book from this author. At times, the story dragged. The narrator mispronounced many words, especially names such as Kevin Youkilis , pronounced Joukilis.I find it annoying when audio books are not edited carefully for errors. I almost didn’t make it through!

Love this author, but…

Have loved this author for years, but this is not her best work. Character development was slow and the characters seems shallow. Just couldn’t get invested in their stories.

To slow

The writer filled the pages with to much description and examples, it made it boring and I found myself advancing my place on the book to get to the story. The book did not seem to be written by Hilderbrand. The reader sounded like a teacher talking to little boys and girls in kindergarten.

I got through it...

I struggled with the narrator. The drama of her voice acting was almost too distracting to listen to the story. The voice ranges for the characters were very subtle, but they were there. Cute story line. I wasn't sure how she was going to fill the time up and create a whole story based on people living on such an isolated island! My mind went back to the Castaway. Maybe not my favorite Hilderbrand but it filled the time on the beach.