Islands of Mercy

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You may change or cancel your subscription or trial at any time online. Simply log into Settings & Account and select "Cancel" on the right-hand side. I found the descriptions of all paces vivid and, together with insight into social and moral aspects, Ms Tremain managed to provide an authentic feel of the places and times. The story of Islands of mercy consists of two narratives. One takes place in Victorian Bath, and the other on the exotic island of Borneo. Both loosely connected by a family link between brothers Edmund and Valentine Ross.

Meanwhile, on the wild island of Borneo, an eccentric British ‘rajah’, Sir Ralph Savage, overflowing with philanthropy but compromised by his passions, sees his schemes relentlessly undermined by his own fragility, by man’s innate greed and by the invasive power of the forest itself. While the part of the story situated in Bath reads like a classic Rose Tremain, with well developed characters and captivating stories, the Borneo plot seems to populated by flat-ish, lost individuals in desperate search for an elusive meaning of their existence. Maybe it is the absurdity and pointlessness of it all, that brings to mind Paul Theroux’ The Mosquito coast, which I by the way intensely disliked, that is to blame for my negative attitude to the Borneo plot? Or maybe it is just that it makes me feel just as lost as the characters which is rather unTremainesque? Another gratifyingly well-put-together work... Tremain's long sentences brim with a poised positivity...[and] add lightness to her fond depictions of these imperfect strivers Francesca Carington, Sunday Telegraph, *Novel of the Week* The year is 1865, and Clorinda Morrissey leaves Dublin to seek fortune in Bath. Jane Adearne, a nurse called the Angel of Bath, helps the infirm to regain their health. Valentine Ross, a surgeon working together with Sir William Adearne, Jane's father, decides to 'pop a question' to Jane. Valentine's brother, Edmund, travels to Borneo to expand his knowledge on botany. These are the moments when the real quest begins for the characters.In Bath, a renown surgeon Sir William Adeane runs his practice with the help of his daughter Jane and a medical doctor Valentine Ross. In Borneo, Valentines brother and a naturalist - Edmund Ross, searches for rare specimen to send home and impress his countrymen, while a British Raja - Sir Ralph Savage, who by chance becomes his host, burns with desire to achieve some unspecified good on his lands. For the content of the book, plot, characters, I have to say I have enjoyed the build up of the book, the progress and I like how the author decided to finish the book and where she led her characters to in the end... Somehow I feel that at least justice had been served... Auffällig ist der detaillierte, antiquiert und etwas prätentiös anmutende Schreibstil mit seinen verschachtelten Sätzen, viel indirekter Rede und ausschweifenden Beschreibungen. Er macht das Lesen zum Teil ein wenig anstrengend und sorgt dafür, dass sich die Geschichte nur langsam entrollt. In the city of Bath, in the year 1865 Jane Adeane, renowned for her restorative skills, is convinced that some other destiny will one day show itself to her. That being said, this book in itself was magnificent. I loved everything about it, from the characters to their different plots and the writing, chefs' kiss. This was my first Tremain book and i am so glad i came across her. I can't really describe it but her writing made me feel some type of way and i want to feel that way again.

In the city of Bath, in the year 1865, a remarkable girl renowned for her nursing abilities is persuaded that some other fate will someday show itself to her. Yet when she discovers herself torn in between a dangerous event with a women fan as well as the assurance of a traditional marriage to an apparently respectable doctor, her desires start to lead her towards a future she had actually never ever imagined. I dont know if I d grab this book to read of my own volition, coz this is not always the genre I prefer, to be honest, but finding out it was narrated by wonderful Katie McGrath, spurred me on to get the audio version of the book. Just started it, but I ll properly comment on it when I finish it... This is the sixth Rose Tremain novel I have read. I find her to be a very good historical fiction writer and have found all six novels interesting and satisfying reading experiences. The year is 1865, and Clorinda Morrissey leaves Dublin to look for ton of money in Bathroom. Jane Adearne, a registered nurse called the Angel of Bathroom, assists the infirm to restore their health. Valentine Ross, a specialist collaborating with Sir William Adearne, Jane’s dad, chooses to ‘stand out an inquiry’ to Jane. Valentine’s bro, Edmund, travels to Borneo to expand his knowledge on anatomy. These are the moments when the real quest starts for the characters.The novel follows Jane Adeane, a young woman working as a nurse in Bath in the mid 19th century. Jane is only too aware that she is unusual and different (not only is she extraordinarily tall, but she is also attracted to women), and she is torn between a female lover and the pressure to conform to convention and marry a respectable doctor. But Jane believes she is destined for other things.

I listened to the audiobook because of a childhood crush on Katie McGrath. While her performance is amazing, it is not enough to compensate for the actual garbage fire that is the book itself. So first of all, I listened to it on Audible, cause hearing Katie McGrath amazing voice acting out the dialogues and everything made my whole month (I might be in love honestly).For cost savings, you can change your plan at any time online in the “Settings & Account” section. If you’d like to retain your premium access and save 20%, you can opt to pay annually at the end of the trial.

A moving exploration of love and the sacrifices we're willing to make in its name Joanne Finney, Good Housekeeping Islands of Mercy is a novel that ignites the senses, and is a bold exploration of the human urge to seek places of sanctuary in a pitiless world. Beautiful narrative and also the requirement to find out how they will create made this story unputdownable for me.

This has been a strange but compelling read. The short chapters dealing with one of five or six characters are almost like short stories but of course link up to a larger narrative arc that connects everyone together. This is not like reading a novel but it's not like reading short stories either because it is a novel. I can imagine quite a few readers hating this but it is very engaging and thought-provoking. First of all, this is extremely well written as you would expect from a writer of the calibre of Rose Tremain. It beautifully and almost forensically reflects the times - it’s social mores, beliefs, attitudes, the scientific understanding and medical beliefs in particular, as this is intrinsic to the storytelling. The female characters are admirable- I love Clorinda’s work ethic and desire to overcome the poverty and famine of her native Ireland, I love Jane’s independence and unconventionality which is at total odds with the times, something she perhaps inherits from her artist Aunt Emmeline. The Male characters are less likeable with perhaps the exception of Jane’s father Sir William Adearne an eminent Bath surgeon. Valentine Ross gets less and less likeable as the book progresses as he perceives he will not be able to control Jane. I’m not sure what to make of The Rajah Sir Ralph Savage who is so rich he spends his money on pointless things just because he can - maybe that’s the point! All the characters are searching for something that’s possibly elusive and unattainable - be it love (whether of the kind at odds with society at the time), friendship, freedom, some are ambitious and ruthless in seeking their desires but all are trying to survive the constraints of the times and circumstances. There are some lovely descriptions of places especially Bath, London and the Paris of Haussmann but I found it harder to engage with Borneo. This is also true of the storytelling set in Borneo which I find less interesting and overlong. Islands of Mercy is also an erotic novel. All the sex scenes are between characters of the same sex except, occasionally, reference is made to heterosexual pairings. The narrative is thrilling made more exciting by constant changes engineered by the author with frequently leaves the reader uncertain with whom to empathise.