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.”
Praise for Maria’s Island
The tale is narrated by Maria, one of the children in Hislop’s novel The Island, from which this engrossing yarn is skillfully adapted for younger readers.
― The Daily Telegraph
Sometimes poignant but never upsetting, this book highlights the strength of love, friendship and resilience over adversity. Complemented wonderfully by Gill Smith’s beautiful illustrations, this is an ideal book for older early readers who are ready explore more complex themes associated such as coping with adversity and having respect for others who may be different from themselves.
– Gazette Herald Books of the Month
I picked this book up as soon as it arrived and couldn’t put it down. My favourite things were the Greek setting and the history in the story, and I loved that the character was called Anna – best name ever! I didn’t know much about this story before I read it and enjoyed finding out about the adventures. I would recommend it to my friends. I liked the illustrations too.
— Anna, Age 11 ― Toppsta
“…a powerful story about love, stigma and hope.”
– Mini Travellers
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In BBC Four's 'Write Around the World' Richard E. Grant traces the journeys of celebrated writers whose work has been shaped by a country's culture and history.
In the third episode he travels to Spain's magical Andalucía region, where he discovers works by Federico Garcia Lorca, Ernest Hemingway, JG Ballard and Victoria's novel THE RETURN.
If you missed it, you can catch up now at bbc.in/3A5pxO8.
BBC Four - Write Around the World with Richard E Grant, Series 1, Episode 3
bbc.in
Richard E Grant travels in the footsteps of writers inspired by Andalucia.Just a reminder that One August Night is now an Amazon Kindle Monthly Deal from today until the end of September. Download your copy for only 99p at amzn.to/3jbE9pm.
Hi Victoria, I love your books and have just finished One August Night.... Another absolutely brilliant read and I read it in 2 days! I believe I have found an error on page 162.... The last chapter mentions Antonis which I believe ought to read Andreas. ❤
Please in french...
In case you missed it, Victoria talked to Wanderlust travel magazine about seeing the pandemic through on her favourite island of Crete, having Greece as her muse and how we will start appreciating the beauty of travel again . . .
Interview: Author Victoria Hislop talks Greece
www.wanderlust.co.uk
The best-selling author talks to George Kipouros about seeing the pandemic through on her favourite island of Crete, having Greece as her muse and how we willGreat news! One August Night is now an Amazon Kindle Monthly Deal from today until the end of September. Download your copy for only 99p at amzn.to/3jbE9pm.
Just a reminder that the audio edition of ONE AUGUST NIGHT is in a 2-for-1 promotion on Audible until 4th September.
🎧 You can listen to an extract from the audio edition – read by Emilia Fox – at bit.ly/2UJCGtk.
Almost finished the Island and going straight to this. The Island is amazing….I’m loving every page. X
That's great Victoria such an awesome book. I work as a carer and I've used audio books before for my clients. This will be perfect.
I love your book Island 😍 Soo nice 🧡
You will love it!!!!
Did you spot Victoria's reading list on Amazon? If not, check out her picks from 'Daughters of the Labyrinth' by Ruth Padel to 'The Black Dress' by Deborah Moggach at amzn.to/3gTlahN. What's on your must-read list right now?
Je voudrais une nuit en août traduit en français....SVP.....
