The Island: A Novel

My fourth Elin Hilderbrand and my favorite to date. I decided to read only beach books this summer, starting in May. This one did not disappoint. The sample I downloaded was longer than most and have me enough to sink my teeth into, so I went for the whole download and read it over Memorial Day Weekend. Great start to the summer. Loved the setting: Tuckernuck Island, which really exists southwest of Nantucket.

Characters were well-developed, the house was amply described, the plot held some interesting twists. I immediately liked the Birdie character and identified with her homemaking skills. I was pleased by the outcome, although parts of the book are sad.

Definitely a beach read, but a good one.

I was very annoyed when this tiny little paperback book arrived
It is not the customary paperback.
This little book is useless to me and I wasted $7.99.
I do not remember this being mentioned when I ordered it.

This is one of my favorites by Elin! I loved the depth of the characters, the love they shared, the bonds that no one could break, and their loyalty to one another. The island of Tuckernuck is the perfect setting to escape, relax, and reset your mind. What an enjoyable read!

Should actually be a negative star but that’s not an option.
I have no idea why this book has any good reviews. The main character was an egomaniac and so selfish.
Hated this book.

I feel like the author is trying to prove that she knows about and owns all these top designer shoes, clothes, jewelry, etc. It is over the top! Who cares...usually only people who can't afford them. I agree with all the other 2 and 1 star reviews. Tiresome, petty, selfish, stupid, and its all about me women. The only reason I gave this book 2 stars, is because the author does have some talent. Elin Hildebrand just quit trying to impress everyone with all the name brand etc dropping. It's ridiculous! There's other stuff but I will leave it at that.

There's not much that I can say that other reviewers haven't already, but here goes anyway.

Here we have a novel about four women, at least two of them (the daughters) unbelievably immature and one (the matriarch) super childlike who have the means to spend over $60,000, all told (between prepping the house and paying the caretaker) to spend just one summer month on a private island off Nantucket.

It was hard for me to feel any sympathy for these characters, when most of their issues were born of privilege. Every character except one seemed to have unlimited money and options and were so very whiny! We have the matriarch who divorced her attorney husband of 30 years, who earns $10m a year - she divorced him essentially because he works too much. We have the older daughter who strings along a perfect-on-paper fiancé, seemingly for appearances' sake, with tragic consequences. I most enjoyed the relationship between the younger daughter and her beau, but even she threw a few ridiculous tantrums. I listened to the audio version and the overly-enunciated, upper crust tone of the narrator may have detracted from the material. (She also read most of the male characters as flat and perpetually annoyed).

I got irritated with the book after a while (can you tell?) but I did finish it. I did enjoy picturing summertime on the island. But I don't plan on reading or listening to anything by this author ever again.

I'd loved other books by Elin but this book was just stupid. So many things that happened that made no sense and the ending was just stupid and disappointing. I didn't get this book. It was a no for me!!!!!

For several years now, I have considered the novels of Elin Hildebrand to be quintessential summer reads. Most, I have enjoyed.

In The Island, however, Hildebrand wants her readers to know how “woke” she is. Elitism, a reverence for Barak Obama and his socialist agenda, and a same sex April/October romance were just off putting.

Totally turns me off to consider reading anything more of Hildebrands.

Not as good as some of her others.
Pretty predictable. Easy read. Too easy.

Have read many of her books, which I like but is not one of her best.