Faraway

by Lucy Irvine

With her three sons, Lucy Irvine went to live for a year on remote Pigeon Island in the Solomons. The invitation had come from an intrepid 80 year-old, Diana Hepworth, who in 1947 set sail from England to find a faraway paradise where she and her husband Tom could raise a family.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Memoir

446 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2000

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a consequence of her book "Castaway", Lucy is invited to stay for a year with her children on an island in the Reef Islands, part of the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean where she is to write the biography of Diana, the lady who invited her and her recently deceased husband. The book describes in vivid language, but always very readable, the transition of Lucy and her boys from living in a fairly remote Scottish croft to living on what, at first, appears to be paradise. The fascinating story unfolds interspersed with the story of how Diana and her husband came to settle on what they call Pigeon Island, and how they have remained there since they arrived in the 1950s.
A remarkable book, in a way following up on Castaway, but in completely different circumstances and with a new story to tell. The writing is so good you can imagine yourself there with Lucy.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I spent some time in a nearby village. Otelo, with a local family, and visited Pigeon Island, about 4 years after Lucy left. I looked at the book while I was there, but did not have time to read it. I know Ross Hepworth and his family, and his wife is closely related to the family I was staying with. While the book is written with an unusual perspective on Solomon Islands, apart from a few inaccuracies, it rings true.
What I can't understand is how Diana got away with a blatant disrespect of local culture. I think my friend, who regularly visited the island as a young child, had a sort of love-hate relationship with her.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book and a great study on life. It is a book to be read by all who want to break away from society and to live on a Pacific Island. It tells the full story and does not pull punches. There are many facets to the story, and covers many subjects that are seldom covered elsewhere in a more "normal" life. Highly recommended.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this quite hard going especially at first. The arrogance of Tom and Diana thinking they could walk in and take over an island, living in complete disregard and even contempt for the customs of the locals was appalling. A real colonial outlook. They also couldn’t see the damage they caused to their children.
Lucy’s story was better and her descriptions of the surroundings quite poetic at times. She and her boys integrated into the life of the islands. However, the book was not improved by her descriptions of her lust for Ben.
The writing in the first part of the book seemed disjointed and possibly improved further on. It has not inspired me to read any others of her books.

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really gripped by this and on several occasions couldn’t wait until I could pick it up again and continue… I wondered what Diana Hepworth thought of it as the book was so much more than hers and Tom’s story….
I enjoyed the mix of all elements - Diana and Tom’s experiences, the insight into the lives and traditions of the Solomon Islanders and Lucy’s own experiences.
I sought out this book having read Lucy’s first book Castaway, I highly recommend them both

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pales in comparison so Castaway and Runaway.
The book was caught between travel writing, memoir, history, sociological examination, etc etc.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as Castaway and Runaway, but that is primarily because the Hepworths, who this book is about, seem like selfish, racist jerks.

[Josephine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cashing in on the popularity of Castaway, though with the perspective of a mother and of eighteen years of experience. On the plus side, however, it's nice to see Irvine with a bit more self-respect.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book which captivated me with stories of Solomon Island culture. I thought it highlighted in an interesting way the challenges faced by a British couple trying to find 'Paradise' on a remote island with a culture of its own.

[Nancy Schober · Rating 5 out of 5]

English arrogance is illuminated though the objective lens of Irvine's pen.

[Luanne Lusic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Rob Goudswaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read especially for those who have lived and stayed at Pigeon island

[Matthew Pennell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, absorbing, and surprising book. For someone who ran away from home at 13, Irvine writes beautifully.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whatever you make of the characters, and I'm sure there are a lot of lenses at play, it's an interesting read.