The Graham Norton Radio Show
Victoria Hislop joined the Graham Norton Radio Show to talk about Maria’s Island.
Bologna Author Ambassador
BolognaBookPlus is also introducing an author ambassador programme at this year’s fair, to celebrate authors that bridge the worlds of adult and children’s publishing. This year’s ambassador is Victoria Hislop, who is publishing her first children’s novel, Maria’s Island (Walker Books) in June.
Hislop said she was “thrilled”, adding: “Crossing publishing worlds is an exciting step; I have always been overwhelmed by the generosity of my readers of The Island and beyond. Maria’s Island tackles some difficult themes, but I believe young readers are both curious and open-hearted and I hope they enjoy my first endeavour for them.”
Maria’s Island
A dramatic and moving story set in the same world as the international bestseller The Island from the celebrated novelist Victoria Hislop.
The absorbing story of the Cretan village of Plaka and the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga – Greece’s former leper colony – is told to us by Maria Petrakis, one of the children in the original version of The Island. She tells us of the ancient and misunderstood disease of leprosy, exploring the themes of stigma, shame and the treatment of those who are different, which are as relevant for children as adults. Gill Smith’s rich, full-colour illustrations will transport the reader to the timeless and beautiful Greek landscape and Mediterranean seascape.
“The idea came out of a conversation with some school teachers in Crete.” said Victoria “They commented that there were so many themes in the story that were as relevant to children as to adults but felt that the original novel was a little too grown-up for many of them. I realised that much of the book is actually about children and their experiences of stigma and loss, so this has been a wonderful experience for me, to look at things through their eyes. Writing for children requires a whole different set of skills and I hope they will enjoy reading it.”
Victoria clutching a copy of Μια νύχτα του Αυγούστου the newly-published Greek translation of “One August Night”
One August Night
Beloved author Victoria Hislop returns to Crete in this long-anticipated sequel to her multi-million-copy Number One bestseller, The Island.
25th August 1957. The island of Spinalonga closes its leper colony. And a moment of violence has devastating consequences.
When time stops dead for Maria Petrakis and her sister, Anna, two families splinter apart and, for the people of Plaka, the closure of Spinalonga is forever coloured with tragedy.
In the aftermath, the question of how to resume life looms large. Stigma and scandal need to be confronted and somehow, for those impacted, a future built from the ruins of the past.
Number one bestselling author Victoria Hislop returns to the world and characters she created in The Island – the award-winning novel that remains one of the biggest selling reading group novels of the century. It is finally time to be reunited with Anna, Maria, Manolis and Andreas in the weeks leading up to the evacuation of the island… and beyond.
“Hislop expertly portrays the warmth of Greece and its people, delving into the long and complicated history of a fascinating country while spinning a family saga that her fans will devour. A beautifully written story that will enchant the reader.”
Daily Express
Victoria in the Media
Selected Books
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A few of my favourite (Greek) Things…
