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Stranded
Esther is heading for Malaysia, escaping her divorce and taking time off from motherhood. She has a particular destination in the paradise island of Pulau Perhentian Kecil, whose golden sand, palm trees and clear water hold, she feels, the promise of certain happiness. When she arrives, the island does not disappoint. However, when a day trip on a fishing boat goes terribly wrong, it seems she might be spending rather more time in paradise than she had planned. The beach quickly turns into something sinister and completely different.'This twist-and-turn packed novel of suspense is unbearably good *****' Closer
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
39 people are currently reading
802 people want to read
About the author
Emily Barr
42 books582 followersEmily Barr worked as a journalist in London, but always hankered after a quiet room and a book to write. She went travelling for a year, writing a column in the Guardian about it as she went, and it was there that she had an idea for a novel set in the world of backpackers in Asia. This became Backpack, which won the WH Smith New Talent Award. She has since written eleven more adult novels published in the UK and around the world, and a novella, Blackout, for the Quick Reads series. Her twelfth novel, The Sleeper, is a psychological thriller set on the London to Cornwall sleeper train.
In 2013 she went to Svalbard with the idea of setting a thriller in the Arctic. The book that came out of it was The One Memory of Flora Banks, a thriller for young adults, which attracted universal interest from publishers before being bought pre-emptively by Penguin earlier this year. It will be published globally in January 2017.
She lives in Cornwall with her partner and their children.
In 2013 she went to Svalbard with the idea of setting a thriller in the Arctic. The book that came out of it was The One Memory of Flora Banks, a thriller for young adults, which attracted universal interest from publishers before being bought pre-emptively by Penguin earlier this year. It will be published globally in January 2017.
She lives in Cornwall with her partner and their children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
August 20, 2012
Terrific thriller - but don't read it on holiday if you're planning on taking a boat trip!
February 11, 2013
This is a book that makes me thanks the heavens (;o)) for the day that I discovered Emily Barr.
It was practically unputdownable, the story is gripping and full of surprises, I usually read a lot of mystery books and I wasn't seeing most of the things coming. The feeling of being left stranded in a deserted island is totally there too, I'll be feeling a little uneasy next time I found myself in a similar place ;)
Very good book indeed.
It was practically unputdownable, the story is gripping and full of surprises, I usually read a lot of mystery books and I wasn't seeing most of the things coming. The feeling of being left stranded in a deserted island is totally there too, I'll be feeling a little uneasy next time I found myself in a similar place ;)
Very good book indeed.
March 27, 2018
I didn't expect to enjoy this one as much as I did!
Terrific story - I'll be checking out more by this author : )
Terrific story - I'll be checking out more by this author : )
March 14, 2021
I came across this by accident, I've not read any of the authors other books.
I was drawn into the story and felt the anticipation grow as the book progresses. The characters were well written and the plot was good.
I felt a bit like I was constantly expecting more though. I think it could have packed more of a punch .
I was drawn into the story and felt the anticipation grow as the book progresses. The characters were well written and the plot was good.
I felt a bit like I was constantly expecting more though. I think it could have packed more of a punch .
March 26, 2021
Stranded starts out a fairly good book about a group of divers stranded on a deserted island. Part survival tale, part romance, it takes an unlikely turn partway through. All through the book are flashbacks of a teenager escaping from a creepy religious cult, which doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the book... until it does. I can't say much because I don't want to leave spoilers, but I do wish that the deserted island bit had been cut down some, because the thriller part at the end was great but over too quickly.
August 5, 2021
So, you are on holiday at a small scale Malaysian beach resort and decide to go on a snorkel trip with some fellow guests. When you arrive at a pristine, small, deserted island to enjoy a barbecue together, the guide discovers he has forgotten to bring some matches... oops! Not to worry, he will go out with the boat to get some, will be back in an hour - he never returns. So now you are stranded on a deserted island with just your swimwear on and the bottle of sunscreen you brought - with a bunch of strangers and someone has no good intentions.
I really enjoyed this book, especially the first part, the second part was a bit unlikely for me. Well written and it kept my attention till the end.
I really enjoyed this book, especially the first part, the second part was a bit unlikely for me. Well written and it kept my attention till the end.
July 9, 2019
I loved this book. I had the audible version and once I started listening, I couldn’t stop.
Ester has just split with with Chris, a man she should never have married. He wants to have their daughter for the Easter holidays. She suspects he’s doing this just to annoy her. But her 40 birthday is looming. And she’s heard about a magical island paradise in Malaysia that she dreams of visiting. It’s only a fortnight. What could go wrong?
Ester has just split with with Chris, a man she should never have married. He wants to have their daughter for the Easter holidays. She suspects he’s doing this just to annoy her. But her 40 birthday is looming. And she’s heard about a magical island paradise in Malaysia that she dreams of visiting. It’s only a fortnight. What could go wrong?
August 22, 2013
I struggled a little with this book. In places I thought it was a bit tedious and somewhat formulaic. The story was implausible but most of the characters were quite well portrayed. Good twist at the end, didn't entirely see that coming, although I did have my suspicions...
March 30, 2014
Book set in Malaysia (Perfect Paradise Perhentian)
I travelled to the Perhentian Islands, off the Malaysian Peninsula, in 2006 and reading this book evoked all kinds of pleasurable memories of my own, although the storyline in no way mirrored my own experience… (thank goodness!)
Esther starts her journey in Kuala Lumpur, just a few days before she turns 40, with a failed marriage behind her. Her daughter Daisy is being cared for by her ex, Chris. For Esther, this holiday is intended as a voyage of self discovery and a means of replenishing her energy reserves, she needs and wants a total break on a tropical island. Esther is resourceful enough to find her way by bus from KL to Kuala Terrengganu, to Kuala Besut and over by boat to the Perhentians, Kecil and Besar, a journey I was thrilled to observe her make, as it was one I too made all those years ago. I was there with her in spirit, avoiding the open sewer holes in the coastal towns, and on the islands revisiting the big reptiles, the sticky heat, the amazing vegetation and just the glorious setting that makes these islands so special.
Days of indolence on the beach become the norm until Esther and some new acquaintances are invited by Samet on a day trip by boat to a ‘real’ tropical island, uninhabited and remote. Once they arrive on the deserted island, Samet discovers he has forgotten his lighter to start the fire for their barbecue, so zips back to Perhentian Kecil. And that is that. He never comes back and they are stranded, days turn to night, the sun rises and sets; and this becomes their routine, for days and more days, time is indeterminable. Water and food have to be found. Of course there are overtones of Lord of the Flies, characters turn on each other, despair stirs after a while, and madcap plans evolve.
In the book there is a parallel second story, which describes the plight of Catherine, who has been brought up in a religious sect run by Moses, and who has fathered most of the children in the compound. Catherine determines to run away, and the reader is left to wonder how the two stories will eventually tie up. Some red herrings along the way may throw the reader off course, they may not.
All in all this is a great holiday read that will transport you to this part of Malaysia for the price of a book! And I wish I had had access to this novel when I visited the Perhentians. I could have sat on the beach, safe in the knowledge that I would have a bed at night, and food when I wanted it, but my imagination could have been fired as I looked across the ocean – I could have identified innumerable little boats that could have belonged to Samet, I could have imagined the giant lizards strolling through the jungle (in fact one spent a lot of time living under my hut) and I perhaps might have wondered how I myself might have fared, should I have found myself ‘stranded’. Happy reading.
I travelled to the Perhentian Islands, off the Malaysian Peninsula, in 2006 and reading this book evoked all kinds of pleasurable memories of my own, although the storyline in no way mirrored my own experience… (thank goodness!)
Esther starts her journey in Kuala Lumpur, just a few days before she turns 40, with a failed marriage behind her. Her daughter Daisy is being cared for by her ex, Chris. For Esther, this holiday is intended as a voyage of self discovery and a means of replenishing her energy reserves, she needs and wants a total break on a tropical island. Esther is resourceful enough to find her way by bus from KL to Kuala Terrengganu, to Kuala Besut and over by boat to the Perhentians, Kecil and Besar, a journey I was thrilled to observe her make, as it was one I too made all those years ago. I was there with her in spirit, avoiding the open sewer holes in the coastal towns, and on the islands revisiting the big reptiles, the sticky heat, the amazing vegetation and just the glorious setting that makes these islands so special.
Days of indolence on the beach become the norm until Esther and some new acquaintances are invited by Samet on a day trip by boat to a ‘real’ tropical island, uninhabited and remote. Once they arrive on the deserted island, Samet discovers he has forgotten his lighter to start the fire for their barbecue, so zips back to Perhentian Kecil. And that is that. He never comes back and they are stranded, days turn to night, the sun rises and sets; and this becomes their routine, for days and more days, time is indeterminable. Water and food have to be found. Of course there are overtones of Lord of the Flies, characters turn on each other, despair stirs after a while, and madcap plans evolve.
In the book there is a parallel second story, which describes the plight of Catherine, who has been brought up in a religious sect run by Moses, and who has fathered most of the children in the compound. Catherine determines to run away, and the reader is left to wonder how the two stories will eventually tie up. Some red herrings along the way may throw the reader off course, they may not.
All in all this is a great holiday read that will transport you to this part of Malaysia for the price of a book! And I wish I had had access to this novel when I visited the Perhentians. I could have sat on the beach, safe in the knowledge that I would have a bed at night, and food when I wanted it, but my imagination could have been fired as I looked across the ocean – I could have identified innumerable little boats that could have belonged to Samet, I could have imagined the giant lizards strolling through the jungle (in fact one spent a lot of time living under my hut) and I perhaps might have wondered how I myself might have fared, should I have found myself ‘stranded’. Happy reading.
July 20, 2020
Stranded by Emily Barr
'if no one knows you're missing, how can you be found?'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of my favourite things about reading is the feeling of escapism, transporting yourself away from reality. Emily Barr, one of my favourite authors has the incredible talent of doing so. A former travel writer, her stories are told in stunning locations with dazzling scenery. The perfect escapism.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stranded takes us to the Perhentian Islands, a group of islands in Malaysia where our central character Esther travels to following her divorce. When Esther meets Katie, they decide to follow a tour guide to a deserted Island for a snorkeling trip. Bad idea. As always with Emily Barry's books, Stranded is full of twists and turns and dark malevolent characters that will chill you to the core. Absolutely brilliant. This was a Re-read for me and if possible better second time around. Highly recommended xxxx
'if no one knows you're missing, how can you be found?'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of my favourite things about reading is the feeling of escapism, transporting yourself away from reality. Emily Barr, one of my favourite authors has the incredible talent of doing so. A former travel writer, her stories are told in stunning locations with dazzling scenery. The perfect escapism.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stranded takes us to the Perhentian Islands, a group of islands in Malaysia where our central character Esther travels to following her divorce. When Esther meets Katie, they decide to follow a tour guide to a deserted Island for a snorkeling trip. Bad idea. As always with Emily Barry's books, Stranded is full of twists and turns and dark malevolent characters that will chill you to the core. Absolutely brilliant. This was a Re-read for me and if possible better second time around. Highly recommended xxxx
March 8, 2019
Esther, fresh from a marriage breakdown, goes to 'find herself' on a trip to Malaysia. Taking a group day trip on a boat run by a local guide, the group is left stranded on an out of the way island with almost no food or water. As days turn into weeks, Esther and the others begin to suspect someone on the island may know more than they are letting on.
This was an OK read. I almost quit reading it about 20% of the way in as it was a little boring but then it picked up again. It was all a little far-fetched but overall it was a mildly entertaining read.
This was an OK read. I almost quit reading it about 20% of the way in as it was a little boring but then it picked up again. It was all a little far-fetched but overall it was a mildly entertaining read.
October 4, 2017
Even with a story that verges on the ridiculous and characters who are annoying, this book is oddly readable and hard to put down. A good holiday (not a beach holiday!) read
August 11, 2019
It has made me think of NOT going to Malaysia on holiday, despite the landscape it describes. Intriguing up to the end.
February 21, 2021
Surprisingly good.
November 21, 2012
Read & reviewed for http://www.thebookbag.co.uk
After her marriage ends Esther finds herself dreaming of getting away, running away for a while, to an island paradise. She decides to make a trip to Malaysia, but a day trip out to a small, remote island finds her stranded there, along with several other people, when their guide does not return to pick them up. There is no way home without a boat. Will this group of stranded strangers manage to survive, or will suspicions and tensions get the better of them as they wait to be rescued?
This is a very readable story. I found myself engrossed straight away, and keen to read on to see what happened. However, I did find it strange that interspersed between Esther's story was another, unrelated plot about a young girl trapped in a cult and plotting to leave. It felt very American and I was surprised when I realised that actually this bit of story was set in England. I found the interruptions of this story into Esther's tale rather jolting and almost as if I was reading two different books at the same time. I suppose I should have realised the two plots were going to be interconnected, but it wasn't until it became really obvious that I had the 'Aha' moment and realised just exactly what was going on! It was an interesting twist, which I didn't see coming.
I did find the style a little strange however. For much of the book I felt like I was reading a sort of chick lit desert island adventure story. Esther's story, initially, does seem like women's commercial fiction - a marriage gone bad, and an escape for her to try to regroup from that. When she ends up stranded on the island I found myself just waiting for the inevitable romance with another island inhabitant. It was only towards the end that the book suddenly turned into a thriller, and by then my head wasn't really in 'thriller' mode so it was unsettling for these characters to suddenly be in a different sort of book!
I also wasn't entirely convinced by the ending. It seemed a little too far-fetched for my liking. Emily Barr's writing style still carried me through, and I did enjoy reading the book, but by the end I did have an 'oh really?' feeling and the events began to just wash over me.
I did enjoy what happened when they were stranded on the island, and the mystery of what on earth was going on there and if they'd ever be rescued. I think this is certainly worth borrowing to read as it's an easy, quick read, but I'd perhaps be a little reluctant to buy it as it's not a book I'd return to or immediately want to lend to all my friends. If you go in without too many expectations then it's an interesting read, with some good characters and don't let it put you off trying other Emily Barr stories.
After her marriage ends Esther finds herself dreaming of getting away, running away for a while, to an island paradise. She decides to make a trip to Malaysia, but a day trip out to a small, remote island finds her stranded there, along with several other people, when their guide does not return to pick them up. There is no way home without a boat. Will this group of stranded strangers manage to survive, or will suspicions and tensions get the better of them as they wait to be rescued?
This is a very readable story. I found myself engrossed straight away, and keen to read on to see what happened. However, I did find it strange that interspersed between Esther's story was another, unrelated plot about a young girl trapped in a cult and plotting to leave. It felt very American and I was surprised when I realised that actually this bit of story was set in England. I found the interruptions of this story into Esther's tale rather jolting and almost as if I was reading two different books at the same time. I suppose I should have realised the two plots were going to be interconnected, but it wasn't until it became really obvious that I had the 'Aha' moment and realised just exactly what was going on! It was an interesting twist, which I didn't see coming.
I did find the style a little strange however. For much of the book I felt like I was reading a sort of chick lit desert island adventure story. Esther's story, initially, does seem like women's commercial fiction - a marriage gone bad, and an escape for her to try to regroup from that. When she ends up stranded on the island I found myself just waiting for the inevitable romance with another island inhabitant. It was only towards the end that the book suddenly turned into a thriller, and by then my head wasn't really in 'thriller' mode so it was unsettling for these characters to suddenly be in a different sort of book!
I also wasn't entirely convinced by the ending. It seemed a little too far-fetched for my liking. Emily Barr's writing style still carried me through, and I did enjoy reading the book, but by the end I did have an 'oh really?' feeling and the events began to just wash over me.
I did enjoy what happened when they were stranded on the island, and the mystery of what on earth was going on there and if they'd ever be rescued. I think this is certainly worth borrowing to read as it's an easy, quick read, but I'd perhaps be a little reluctant to buy it as it's not a book I'd return to or immediately want to lend to all my friends. If you go in without too many expectations then it's an interesting read, with some good characters and don't let it put you off trying other Emily Barr stories.
June 13, 2013
Stranded – Emily Barr
After the breakdown of her marriage, Esther Lomax needs to escape. She is hoping a little R&R on the beaches and islands of Malaysia will be just the thing to help her de-stress and get on the road to recovery.
A couple of days into her holiday at the beach resort, Esther takes a boat day trip with six other holiday makers to have lunch, catch some sunshine and seek solitude on an uninhabited island. It is peaceful and quiet there and as they begin to set up the cooking facilities, the guide realises he has forgotten to bring some essential equipment for the day and decides to go back to collect what they need, promising to return within the hour.
The hour passes, then another hour, then the afternoon and then the day, but, neither the guide nor a boat returns to collect them. Slowly this group of strangers all begin to realise they are stranded together, in the middle of the ocean on a remote, uninhabited island without food and more importantly, without drinking water. The days pass by, tensions rise and secrets emerge and Ester and her companions are tested to the limit in order to survive. Will they ever see the mainland again? Esther begins to wonder; ‘if no-one knows you are missing, how can you be found?’
This book was sent to me by my lovely friend, Dot, from Dot Scribbles. It is not a book I would have picked up myself and what a shame that would have been because I loved every word of it and could not put it down once I started reading.
The storyline may sound familiar and even a little contrived; people stranded on an uninhabited island, nobody knows they are missing, they have to struggle for survival etc, but, this story is anything but contrived, each person has their own story and as time goes by more and more is revealed. It is packed with surprising twists and turns and even though I thought I had it all figured out towards the end, I was completely wrong about what was going on! So wrong, in fact, that I began reading it again as soon as I had finished to see where the clues were hidden along the way. They are not easy to find and it is a testimony to Emily Barr’s clever storytelling that this is such a great book and such a thrilling read.
If you like testing your powers of detection and enjoy stories about people in tense situations, then this is the book for you. I can highly recommend it as a classic summer read; one which may make you think twice about taking a boat trip anywhere!
After the breakdown of her marriage, Esther Lomax needs to escape. She is hoping a little R&R on the beaches and islands of Malaysia will be just the thing to help her de-stress and get on the road to recovery.
A couple of days into her holiday at the beach resort, Esther takes a boat day trip with six other holiday makers to have lunch, catch some sunshine and seek solitude on an uninhabited island. It is peaceful and quiet there and as they begin to set up the cooking facilities, the guide realises he has forgotten to bring some essential equipment for the day and decides to go back to collect what they need, promising to return within the hour.
The hour passes, then another hour, then the afternoon and then the day, but, neither the guide nor a boat returns to collect them. Slowly this group of strangers all begin to realise they are stranded together, in the middle of the ocean on a remote, uninhabited island without food and more importantly, without drinking water. The days pass by, tensions rise and secrets emerge and Ester and her companions are tested to the limit in order to survive. Will they ever see the mainland again? Esther begins to wonder; ‘if no-one knows you are missing, how can you be found?’
This book was sent to me by my lovely friend, Dot, from Dot Scribbles. It is not a book I would have picked up myself and what a shame that would have been because I loved every word of it and could not put it down once I started reading.
The storyline may sound familiar and even a little contrived; people stranded on an uninhabited island, nobody knows they are missing, they have to struggle for survival etc, but, this story is anything but contrived, each person has their own story and as time goes by more and more is revealed. It is packed with surprising twists and turns and even though I thought I had it all figured out towards the end, I was completely wrong about what was going on! So wrong, in fact, that I began reading it again as soon as I had finished to see where the clues were hidden along the way. They are not easy to find and it is a testimony to Emily Barr’s clever storytelling that this is such a great book and such a thrilling read.
If you like testing your powers of detection and enjoy stories about people in tense situations, then this is the book for you. I can highly recommend it as a classic summer read; one which may make you think twice about taking a boat trip anywhere!
October 30, 2012
Even better than expected - strongly recommend
I had already read a few of Emily Barr's books and remember instantly ordering most of the others straightaway as I was so hooked. I hadn't realised Stranded was out initially and was delighted when I came across it. It's more serious in theme than several of her other books, although they also usually have a more serious undertone. Very few books this year have managed to stop me from doing anything else for a few days, but Stranded was one of them. I couldn't concentrate on anything else, as I wanted to know what happened next.
The telling of the relationships between those stuck on the island and how they cope with being in close proximity to each other, as well as how they begin to mistrust each other, become paranoid, etc, was completely realistic. What would you do as a mother, if you were stuck on an island, and you had no way of contacting the outside world? What would you think about? The novel, typical Barr, makes you really think.
I also found the combining of the 'two stories' throughout the novel, with interspersed chapters for the additional piece to the puzzle, both intriguing and confusing (in a good way) as I couldn't understand its relevance and I overlooked a vital clue!
The sinister nature of much of the novel is much darker than Emily's novels which I have already read, but no less effective for it.
The action propels you along at a fantastic pace, particularly impressive, given that the characters are deserted on an island with not much they can do. I can't tell you how many different scenarios I came up with for why they had been left there, or if they were ever going to be rescued and how. But there were many!
I like to think of myself as a bit of a detective when reading books, but I can honestly say I didn't guess the ending nor who the bad guys were. The loose ends were all tied up superbly and all the subtle seeds that had been sown, and of which I had not necessarily noticed the significance were taken to their natural conclusion. I guess the end really does justify the means...
I had already read a few of Emily Barr's books and remember instantly ordering most of the others straightaway as I was so hooked. I hadn't realised Stranded was out initially and was delighted when I came across it. It's more serious in theme than several of her other books, although they also usually have a more serious undertone. Very few books this year have managed to stop me from doing anything else for a few days, but Stranded was one of them. I couldn't concentrate on anything else, as I wanted to know what happened next.
The telling of the relationships between those stuck on the island and how they cope with being in close proximity to each other, as well as how they begin to mistrust each other, become paranoid, etc, was completely realistic. What would you do as a mother, if you were stuck on an island, and you had no way of contacting the outside world? What would you think about? The novel, typical Barr, makes you really think.
I also found the combining of the 'two stories' throughout the novel, with interspersed chapters for the additional piece to the puzzle, both intriguing and confusing (in a good way) as I couldn't understand its relevance and I overlooked a vital clue!
The sinister nature of much of the novel is much darker than Emily's novels which I have already read, but no less effective for it.
The action propels you along at a fantastic pace, particularly impressive, given that the characters are deserted on an island with not much they can do. I can't tell you how many different scenarios I came up with for why they had been left there, or if they were ever going to be rescued and how. But there were many!
I like to think of myself as a bit of a detective when reading books, but I can honestly say I didn't guess the ending nor who the bad guys were. The loose ends were all tied up superbly and all the subtle seeds that had been sown, and of which I had not necessarily noticed the significance were taken to their natural conclusion. I guess the end really does justify the means...
June 25, 2013
SPOILER ALERT!
This was unputdownable, as it says on the tin, and I enjoyed the castaway episode. Once, I had reached the end of the novel, however, I was incredibly disappointed at the denouement, which is totally silly.
About half way through the book (ie. from the moment the satellite phone is 'found' on the deserted island), I became convinced that the subsequent plot was all a figment of Esther/Cathy's imagination, and that the fairytale ending was in fact wishful thinking. The rather dreamy feel of the writing lulled me into a false sense of security!
I feel it would have been a better twist to have had a final paragraph where the stranded tourists are still there, and imagining their future lives after the desert island! Depressing, yes, but much more interesting than the novel actually turns out to be. I mean, are there really cults like that in the UK? And would they really go to all that trouble and expense to cause complete strangers to be stranded in Malaysia, just to snatch Esther/Cathy's daughter, which they could have done at any point in the previous 10 years?
No. It should be re-written and be a proper psychological thriller, in my book!
This was unputdownable, as it says on the tin, and I enjoyed the castaway episode. Once, I had reached the end of the novel, however, I was incredibly disappointed at the denouement, which is totally silly.
About half way through the book (ie. from the moment the satellite phone is 'found' on the deserted island), I became convinced that the subsequent plot was all a figment of Esther/Cathy's imagination, and that the fairytale ending was in fact wishful thinking. The rather dreamy feel of the writing lulled me into a false sense of security!
I feel it would have been a better twist to have had a final paragraph where the stranded tourists are still there, and imagining their future lives after the desert island! Depressing, yes, but much more interesting than the novel actually turns out to be. I mean, are there really cults like that in the UK? And would they really go to all that trouble and expense to cause complete strangers to be stranded in Malaysia, just to snatch Esther/Cathy's daughter, which they could have done at any point in the previous 10 years?
No. It should be re-written and be a proper psychological thriller, in my book!
July 30, 2013
I read Emily Barr's novel Stranded while on holiday this July, it's a really brilliant choice for a holiday read, it certainly features a holiday within its plot - probably not the kind of holiday any of us should wish to experience however. The novel effectively captures the sinister thrill of a 'stranded in a desert island tale' however, it steers from the typical stranded experience. Barr's original and terrifyingly suspenseful novel really attached me to the book, I found it difficult to leave it just for a few moment's to jump into the sea and even when the sun was scorching my skin!
The choice of deserted characters is always an important decision for these kinds of stories - there should always be a hysterical one, an angry one, a leader, the hunter/gatherer and the downright stupid jerk character. Stranded effectively pulled off all these characters. This book, well-written, a soft thriller and addictive to boot is an easy holiday read (or lying in your bed at home read)!
I haven't at yet read any others of Emily Barr's novels but if they're anything like this novel, I certainly intend to. A recommended read!
The choice of deserted characters is always an important decision for these kinds of stories - there should always be a hysterical one, an angry one, a leader, the hunter/gatherer and the downright stupid jerk character. Stranded effectively pulled off all these characters. This book, well-written, a soft thriller and addictive to boot is an easy holiday read (or lying in your bed at home read)!
I haven't at yet read any others of Emily Barr's novels but if they're anything like this novel, I certainly intend to. A recommended read!
November 15, 2014
I've read a few Emily Barr books now and have enjoyed them all.
The premise of this book was great,a woman split from her husband goes on a backpacking holiday,and on a day trip to another island,gets stranded with a group of people who have to spend a month there before being rescued.
For the most part this was a really enjoyable read,it became slightly incredible when the cult strand of the story came into play (it all got a bit too 'Lost'),and I wish the author had kept the focus more on the characters on the desert island.
All in all though,a really good read. Great characters with a plot line that kept me guessing.
The premise of this book was great,a woman split from her husband goes on a backpacking holiday,and on a day trip to another island,gets stranded with a group of people who have to spend a month there before being rescued.
For the most part this was a really enjoyable read,it became slightly incredible when the cult strand of the story came into play (it all got a bit too 'Lost'),and I wish the author had kept the focus more on the characters on the desert island.
All in all though,a really good read. Great characters with a plot line that kept me guessing.
August 4, 2014
Emily Barr does it again! Loved the book. Unputdownable. In all of her books you are going to learn about the place we the books and set. What a bonus to learn about Malaysia. For me the plot twists were unpredictable and well done. The book is about what would be like to be stranded on a deserted island paradise. It's not like Gilligan island or anything remotely idyllic. Hard work and life threatening. Can't wait to read another of her books. I have read most of this authors books and am never disappointed!
June 20, 2012
I love Emily Barr & I think that this is probably my favourite book of hers so far. Before reading it I struggled with the concept of how she would write about a group of people stranded on a desert island and keep me gripped but she certainly managed it. The twist was totally unexpected for me and she kept me guessing all of the way. I would totally recommend this to anyone who enjoys chick-lit with a touch of suspense thrown in.
April 8, 2013
Couldn't put this down, thought I had it all figured out but was I wrong!
November 14, 2017
Great characters and plot
Twists and unexpected storyline. Characters full of flaws and likeable for it. A read I couldn’t put down. Well done.
Twists and unexpected storyline. Characters full of flaws and likeable for it. A read I couldn’t put down. Well done.
June 29, 2019
Whilst it is elegantly written there is repetition in Esther’s feelings of freedom, feeling ‘grown up’ and doing things on her own, which I would appreciate if she had escaped a violent and controlling marriage but she had only divorced due to unhappiness from both parties.
She has a naive voice for someone over forty that you could almost forget she’s a mum.
I also didn’t feel it necessary to add a romantic relationship. In that scenario I really can’t imagine myself going all gooey over someone however nice.
Cathy’s naivety did have me wonder early on if perhaps she and Esther are the same person just a name changed.
For a long time I couldn’t see the relevance or point of Cathy’s story in relation to the main plot of being stuck on an island.
Obviously it was all explained at the end but wasn’t a huge surprise.
Katy’s role in the novel is not a surprise.
Not a typical, survival, story.
An easy read, maybe not one to take on holiday (just in case) but interesting enough to keep going to the end, if with few surprises.
She has a naive voice for someone over forty that you could almost forget she’s a mum.
I also didn’t feel it necessary to add a romantic relationship. In that scenario I really can’t imagine myself going all gooey over someone however nice.
Cathy’s naivety did have me wonder early on if perhaps she and Esther are the same person just a name changed.
For a long time I couldn’t see the relevance or point of Cathy’s story in relation to the main plot of being stuck on an island.
Obviously it was all explained at the end but wasn’t a huge surprise.
Katy’s role in the novel is not a surprise.
Not a typical, survival, story.
An easy read, maybe not one to take on holiday (just in case) but interesting enough to keep going to the end, if with few surprises.
March 6, 2025
4.5*
I loved this story about a group of travellers who are left stranded on a deserted island in Malaysia. The first part of the book sets the scene and describes how the protagonist, Esther, comes to be in Malaysia. The second part tells how the group struggles to survive, and the third part describes the aftermath. Interspersed with the main story are flashbacks about a teenager trying to escape from a religious cult.
The book is well written and moves at a good pace and held my attention throughout. I really liked Esther, though some of her fellow travellers were not so likeable. I loved the descriptions of life on the island. It made me wonder how I would have coped. Then the story twisted in a way which totally floored me.
I loved this story about a group of travellers who are left stranded on a deserted island in Malaysia. The first part of the book sets the scene and describes how the protagonist, Esther, comes to be in Malaysia. The second part tells how the group struggles to survive, and the third part describes the aftermath. Interspersed with the main story are flashbacks about a teenager trying to escape from a religious cult.
The book is well written and moves at a good pace and held my attention throughout. I really liked Esther, though some of her fellow travellers were not so likeable. I loved the descriptions of life on the island. It made me wonder how I would have coped. Then the story twisted in a way which totally floored me.
April 19, 2023
Easy to read thriller that cracks along at a good pace. I felt it was more an adventure story than a psychological thriller but what’s in a name ? I dropped a star as I hated the parts written in present tense, ‘Esther sits, Esther breathes, Esther looks at the sand’ etc. I can’t stand that style of writing, and I felt the ‘let’s pass the time by telling our stories’ was awkward. Let the characters tell their back stories more naturally please, but other than that, this was a proper old fashioned story with ups and downs, goodies and baddies, humour, a love story, and a happy ending. Definitely worth picking up.
September 25, 2021
Comedy of errors
A well plotted novel that would have been better off as a comedy. The descriptions and dialogue plumb the mundane. The nadir is reached with the journey to Cornwall and our heroine marvels at her ex husband's knowledge of road numbers. The life stories on the island are dull and predictable. The
setting does not ring true, perhaps because I had just read the two island books by Lucy Irvine. I have never scrolled more quickly to the end of a book. Read John Updike's novel S if you want a deeper insight into a religious cult. Stranded is a soap opera.
A well plotted novel that would have been better off as a comedy. The descriptions and dialogue plumb the mundane. The nadir is reached with the journey to Cornwall and our heroine marvels at her ex husband's knowledge of road numbers. The life stories on the island are dull and predictable. The
setting does not ring true, perhaps because I had just read the two island books by Lucy Irvine. I have never scrolled more quickly to the end of a book. Read John Updike's novel S if you want a deeper insight into a religious cult. Stranded is a soap opera.
February 9, 2022
This is a strange one. Stories about castaways stranded on tropical islands are a favourite genre of mine and I was really loving this for the majority of the novel, gripped by how the characters were surviving and interacting - and when a surprising discovery on the island turned the situation murky and conflict arose it became even more interesting. However then suddenly it took an unexpected and unwanted turn and became totally unbelievable and farfetched and felt like a different novel altogether. Disappointing but overall I did enjoy a good two thirds!
April 22, 2024
I liked this book. I didn't love it, but it was good. It was a bit drawn out and it seemed to take forever to read sometimes. What seemed at the time, like weird, random chapters from the 1980's did make sense at the end, but were confusing just thrown in there. Also, the American couple kept using British phrases, which kind of took me out of the book - they really wouldnt have spoke that way and it kind of annoyed me. BUT, overall - it was good. Twist at the end I didn't see coming, tropical island, secrets, etc - all made for a nice vacation read.
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