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Island Apart Audiobook
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(3.80) - 40 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Claire Doheney, recovering from a serious illness, agrees to house-sit an oceanfront mansion on Chappaquiddick Island in Martha's Vineyard. The New Yorker book editor hopes to find solace, strength, and sufficient calm to finish a biography of the iconoclastic psychotherapist Wilhelm Reich. The last thing she expects to find is love. Then she meets a mysterious man the locals call the Hermit. No one knows his real name or where he lives. Quite by accident and to their mutual surprise, Claire and the stranger discover that they share a passion for cooking. As Claire gets to know the Hermit, she finds rare qualities in a man most people have long since dismissed as an outcast. As Claire comes to appreciate this tiny island, with its colorful inhabitants, she experiences healing, redemption, and a happiness she hasn't known for years … until she discovers what drove the Hermit into seclusion. Will his terrible secret bring them closer together? Or drive them apart forever? The clock is ticking. Can Claire make peace with her disaffected daughter, callous ex-husband, and cynical boss? Can she let love into her life once more before it's too late? Told by a New York Times bestselling author and international TV host with a keen eye for Chappaquiddick's extraordinary natural beauty, Island Apart has it all—romance, history, travel, crime, lovemaking of exquisite intensity, and cooking scenes so vivid, they'll make your taste buds ache with hunger. Funny, tender, engaging, poignant, and ultimately triumphant, Steven Raichlen's novel is a smart love story—not to mention a terrific beach read.
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"Author Steven Raichlen offers a delicious slice of the pie that is Martha's Vineyard in "Island Apart". Both touching and tempting, with a poignant romance which celebrates the love of food and the fact that food is love, this book is a treat for the senses. Claire Doheney is a New York book editor whose life implodes with a series of devastating events--just as she learns she has breast cancer, her marriage ends through her husband's infidelity (which also cost him his career), and her relationship with her daughter disintegrates. Hoping to recover her health and equilibrium, Claire agrees to housesit a friend's estate on Chappaquiddick Island. Her plans are to finish her work on editing a biography of the famed psychotherapist, Wilhelm Reich, and to restore her peace of mind. She never expects that an accident will lead to her rescue by the island's most mysterious resident, "The Hermit". A culinary connection is made when Claire thanks The Hermit with a food gift, and he returns the gesture in kind. Thus begins a surprising, sweet and savory, succulent and satisfying love story between two wounded souls who deserve a second chance at happiness. The rich flavor of the writing comes not just from the food scenes, but also from the vivid depiction of the island itself, and from the joy to be found when you can share a true passion with another being. Food is not just a necessity for life, it is a sensory pleasure and a universal language. The area in which I live is full of antique shops, thrift stores, and second-hand shops–and there is always a treasure to be found! I collect books, cookbooks, and cookware, both old and new. I don’t really need more of any of those things, but reading and cooking are an essential part of my nature. Review Copy Gratis Amazon Vine"
— Virginia (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Much more than a promising first novel by a formidably talented writer; it is a literary achievement of the first order…a heartfelt, redemptive, and irresistible novel. Raichlen handles this complex tale of romance, family, illness, and dark secrets with intelligence, grace, and abiding tenderness.”
— John Dufresne, author of Requiem, Mass -
“Steven Raichlen presents a kaleidoscope of personalities with insight and compassion, while reminding us that good food, prepared with love, may not heal all wounds, but it can’t hurt and it often helps. A splendid beach read!”
— Mary Doria Russell, Pulitzer Prize nominee and author of Thread of Grace and Doc -
“Steven Raichlen has written a magical novel about a magical place. He deftly captures the subtleties, oddities, and beguiling charm of Martha’s Vineyard and Chappaquiddick. Take this literary ferry. You’ll enjoy your stay.”
— Lucia St. Clair Robson, New York Times bestselling author -
“Rich in character, incident, and mouthwatering food. A triumphant fictional debut.”
— William Martin, New York Times bestselling author
Island Apart Listener Reviews
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" I probably would have enjoyed this book more if I'd read it at the beach.(what isn't more likeable at the beach?) Book mixes serious issues (protagonist is a cancer patient, mixed with sappy romance, book editing and detailed cooking experiences. The author manages to make a happy ending even after the narrator dies. "
— Helen, 2/15/2014 -
" This book literally just came out this month, and I was fortunate enough to get in from the "new books' shelf at our public library. It was a perfect summer read - it is set on Martha's Vineyard, it talks about amazing food, and their is a romance piece, but not an over the top one. Reading this makes me want to head to Martha's Vineyard asap for some amazing seafood. "
— Karen, 2/12/2014 -
" Afraid this is not among my recommendations. Despite trying to be heartfelt, it largely comes across as shallow. "
— Elizabeth, 1/29/2014 -
" Well written; I think "poignant" is the word. My problem was, I will never be able to afford any of those wines, and will never have any (ANY!) of the foods the author goes on about, and I hate shellfish. A lot of local history about the vinyard and island (cheers for Raichlen for his pointed comments on the politics involved in Kennedy skating on the death of Mary Jo Kopechne). I felt all the extra stuff, as well done as it was, got in the way of the story and the character development. A very pleasant story, and well done, but it left me a bit hungry... "
— Bob, 1/28/2014 -
" Good story, but I really loved all the descriptions of the food more than anything else. "
— Andrea, 1/12/2014 -
" Interesting characters but there could have been so much more development and depth. I love to cook and found the references to food delightful and mouth watering. If he had given as much to the characters as he gave to the food this would have been a much better book. "
— Kristina, 1/12/2014 -
" Nice plot. Clear readable style. Good foodie writing. Saves me the trouble of fighting the hordes to visit Martha's Vineyard and Chappaquidick. Interesting to pair it with "Caleb's Crossing." "
— Chris, 1/3/2014 -
" This was a great book with a lot of depth. I enjoyed the novel, and couldn't put it down. "
— Twila, 12/28/2013 -
" This turned out to be a great love story. I enjoyed getting to know Claire and her friends and family. Highly recommended. Read it in a couple sittings. "
— della, 12/6/2013 -
" not bad, kind of quirky "
— Lori, 11/29/2013 -
" I loved this book. Twisting plot,complicated characters...great story. "
— Melissa, 10/1/2013 -
" Pleasant summer read for anyone familiar with Chappaquiddick Island and Martha's Vineyard. "
— Carol, 9/24/2013 -
" A great summer beach read. A woman recovering from chemo spends a winter at a friend's beach house. About the people she meets and the relationship she develops with the local "hermit". Great food descriptions - gets you wanting to cook - and a nice, easy summer read. "
— Belinda, 6/9/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read and the story was adorable. Made me want to go to MV! "
— Ashley, 4/17/2013 -
" This was a really sweet love story. Claire and The Hermit share a love of food and after he rescues her one night they begin leaving each other gifts. Delicious recipes they want to share with each other. A really good story. "
— Michele, 3/14/2013 -
" Vivid characters with plot twists adds up to a charming 1st novel. Hope to read more from this author. "
— Pat, 1/12/2013 -
" i thought i was in for a light summer read, but this book was awesome! mixing history, real life and greatly detailed cooking sessions, this book delighted me in many different ways. "
— Veronique, 9/12/2012 -
" Fascinating tale of not judging a book by it's cover. Anyone who loves Martha's Vineyard will relish the historical details. "
— Vanessa, 9/8/2012 -
" first novel by cookbook author - I liked it very much. Perfect summer read "
— Eb, 7/30/2012
About Steven Raichlen
Steven Raichlen is an award-winning author, journalist, and television host. He has written more than two dozen books, including the international blockbusters The Barbecue Bible, How to Grill, and the New York Times bestselling Planet Barbecue. Each month, hundreds of thousands of visitors converge on his websites. He and his wife, Barbara, divide their time between Chappaquiddick, Massachusetts, and Coconut Grove, Florida.
About Susan Boyce
Susan Boyce is the award-winning narrator of over 140 audiobooks. She performs in variety theater, is one half of the song-and-dance team of Jones & Boyce, and holds a degree in theater and biology. She can be heard in phone trees, in computer games, and as the voice of the pink “Care Bear.” She lives in St. Augustine, Florida, and summers in Greenville, Maine.