The Island By Victoria Hislop

The Island a Novel by Victoria Hislop published 2007 The Island by Victoria Hislop is a historical fiction novel about family secrets, love, and tragedy connected to a real place called Spinalonga, near the village of Plaka. Main story The novel begins with Alexis Fielding, a 25-year-old woman who travels to Crete, Greece, because she wants to understand her mother Sofia’s mysterious past. Sofia has always refused to talk about where she grew up. Before Alexis leaves, her mother gives her a letter for an old friend named Fotini in the village of Plaka. When Alexis meets Fotini, she finally learns the hidden history of her family. The secret of the island Across the water from Plaka is Spinalonga, which used to be a colony for people with leprosy (a serious infectious disease). People who had the disease were sent there and separated from society. Fotini tells Alexis about her great-grandmother Eleni and her daughters Anna and Maria, whose lives were deeply affected by the disease and by being sent to the island. The story includes: family conflict romance and jealousy illness and exile war and hardship Through this story, Alexis discovers how her family is connected to Spinalonga and why her mother kept the past a secret for so many years Open to offers!