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Floreana
On the Galápagos Islands, the lives of two women—a century apart—converge in the most startling ways in a historical novel of desperate love, secrets, and deception by the author of My Last Continent.
After ten years away to build a family, Mallory returns to Floreana Island in the Galápagos, and to Gavin, the mentor with whom she had a long-ago affair. Their project is to build nests to revive the vulnerable penguin population. But Mallory doesn’t dare tell Gavin why she’s really come back. Then she discovers old journals hidden in a lava cave—confessions of another woman who needed to disappear.
In 1929, Dore Strauch left the life she knew to create a new one with the man she loved. On remote Floreana they’re beholden to no one but each other. Until the arrival of strangers, settlers in their paradise. Suddenly, Dore realizes that it’s no longer the refuge she imagined. And that amid the island’s fragile beauty, people can do the most terrible things.
A gripping reimagining of a true story, Floreana intertwines the emotional journeys of two women bound by dark secrets, the want of escape, and the lengths to which they’ll go to find their place in the world.
After ten years away to build a family, Mallory returns to Floreana Island in the Galápagos, and to Gavin, the mentor with whom she had a long-ago affair. Their project is to build nests to revive the vulnerable penguin population. But Mallory doesn’t dare tell Gavin why she’s really come back. Then she discovers old journals hidden in a lava cave—confessions of another woman who needed to disappear.
In 1929, Dore Strauch left the life she knew to create a new one with the man she loved. On remote Floreana they’re beholden to no one but each other. Until the arrival of strangers, settlers in their paradise. Suddenly, Dore realizes that it’s no longer the refuge she imagined. And that amid the island’s fragile beauty, people can do the most terrible things.
A gripping reimagining of a true story, Floreana intertwines the emotional journeys of two women bound by dark secrets, the want of escape, and the lengths to which they’ll go to find their place in the world.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2024
2256 people are currently reading
13282 people want to read
About the author
Midge Raymond
17 books205 followersMidge Raymond is the author of the novels Floreana and My Last Continent and a short-story collection, Forgetting English, which received the Spokane Prize for Short Fiction. Her stories have appeared in TriQuarterly, American Literary Review, North American Review, Bellevue Literary Review, the Los Angeles Times magazine, Poets & Writers, and many other publications.
Midge is also the author of Devils Island, co-authored with John Yunker. She has taught writing at Boston University, Boston's Grub Street Writers, Seattle's Richard Hugo House, and San Diego Writers, Ink.
Midge lives and writes in the Pacific Northwest. Visit her online at www.MidgeRaymond.com and www.MidgeandJohn.com.
"FLOREANA is a beautiful, unexpected, and powerful novel about the fragility of life and love in its many forms — a book that is all at a once a riveting theory on an unsolved historical mystery, a close character exploration of love and loss [that] tackles the themes of motherhood and the innate desire to nurture and be nurtured, the pain of unfulfilled expectations, and the simple beauty and tenuousness of nature. A powerful and totally unique book. Not to be missed!” — Samantha Greene Woodruff, bestselling author of THE LOBOTOMIST’S WIFE and THE TRADE OFF
“In the 1930s, a set of murders straight out of Agatha Christie took place on Floreana Island. Raymond's novel toggles between this old story and a new one, proposing a plausible solution to this enduring mystery. Is this what really happened? Who cares! Raymond’s novel is riveting and revelatory, a murder mystery embedded in other mysteries — of love and regret, loss and redemption, and how we can manage to hold on to the parts of this beautiful world that were never ours in the first place.” — Karen Joy Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of BOOTH and WE ARE ALL COMPLETELY BESIDE OURSELVES
“FLOREANA is a stunning and deeply layered murder mystery, historical novel, and environmental love letter all in one. Midge Raymond beautifully and seamlessly weaves the hidden lives of two women, a century apart, as they negotiate the fragile terrain of the Galápagos Islands along with their own troubled psyches…A haunting tale for our times.” — JoeAnn Hart, author of ARROYO CIRCLE and HIGHWIRE ACT
“Who knows what happened on Floreana Island in the Galápagos in the 1930s? In this suspenseful and immersive novel, Midge Raymond offers a possible series of events leading up to infamous awful fates of a few of the settlers, as well as telling an equally compelling contemporary story. Come for the disastrous love affairs, stay for the careful depiction of efforts being made toward penguin conservation. Much like the fantasy of desert island life, FLOREANA offers a rich bounty of attractions.” — Alice Elliott Dark, author of FELLOWSHIP POINT and IN THE GLOAMING
“FLOREANA masterfully weaves together the tales of two women who escape to the same faraway island almost a century apart. Both storylines feature deeply buried secrets, yearning, questions about what people owe to those that surround them, and the profound need for connection and purpose. The echoes and reverberations in the two timelines—about new beginnings and love and families and conservation and hope—perfectly illustrate how human concerns are universal and timeless. Raymond’s beautiful and absorbing novel kept me turning the pages, eager to find out what and who would fail to thrive on Floreana Island and what might blossom there.” — Karin Lin-Greenburg, author of YOU ARE HERE
"Midge Raymond’s debut novel is a sensitive explora
Midge is also the author of Devils Island, co-authored with John Yunker. She has taught writing at Boston University, Boston's Grub Street Writers, Seattle's Richard Hugo House, and San Diego Writers, Ink.
Midge lives and writes in the Pacific Northwest. Visit her online at www.MidgeRaymond.com and www.MidgeandJohn.com.
"FLOREANA is a beautiful, unexpected, and powerful novel about the fragility of life and love in its many forms — a book that is all at a once a riveting theory on an unsolved historical mystery, a close character exploration of love and loss [that] tackles the themes of motherhood and the innate desire to nurture and be nurtured, the pain of unfulfilled expectations, and the simple beauty and tenuousness of nature. A powerful and totally unique book. Not to be missed!” — Samantha Greene Woodruff, bestselling author of THE LOBOTOMIST’S WIFE and THE TRADE OFF
“In the 1930s, a set of murders straight out of Agatha Christie took place on Floreana Island. Raymond's novel toggles between this old story and a new one, proposing a plausible solution to this enduring mystery. Is this what really happened? Who cares! Raymond’s novel is riveting and revelatory, a murder mystery embedded in other mysteries — of love and regret, loss and redemption, and how we can manage to hold on to the parts of this beautiful world that were never ours in the first place.” — Karen Joy Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of BOOTH and WE ARE ALL COMPLETELY BESIDE OURSELVES
“FLOREANA is a stunning and deeply layered murder mystery, historical novel, and environmental love letter all in one. Midge Raymond beautifully and seamlessly weaves the hidden lives of two women, a century apart, as they negotiate the fragile terrain of the Galápagos Islands along with their own troubled psyches…A haunting tale for our times.” — JoeAnn Hart, author of ARROYO CIRCLE and HIGHWIRE ACT
“Who knows what happened on Floreana Island in the Galápagos in the 1930s? In this suspenseful and immersive novel, Midge Raymond offers a possible series of events leading up to infamous awful fates of a few of the settlers, as well as telling an equally compelling contemporary story. Come for the disastrous love affairs, stay for the careful depiction of efforts being made toward penguin conservation. Much like the fantasy of desert island life, FLOREANA offers a rich bounty of attractions.” — Alice Elliott Dark, author of FELLOWSHIP POINT and IN THE GLOAMING
“FLOREANA masterfully weaves together the tales of two women who escape to the same faraway island almost a century apart. Both storylines feature deeply buried secrets, yearning, questions about what people owe to those that surround them, and the profound need for connection and purpose. The echoes and reverberations in the two timelines—about new beginnings and love and families and conservation and hope—perfectly illustrate how human concerns are universal and timeless. Raymond’s beautiful and absorbing novel kept me turning the pages, eager to find out what and who would fail to thrive on Floreana Island and what might blossom there.” — Karin Lin-Greenburg, author of YOU ARE HERE
"Midge Raymond’s debut novel is a sensitive explora
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews
December 8, 2024
In 2020 Mallory returns to Floreana Island in the Galápagos, and to Gavin, the mentor with whom she had a long-ago affair. Their project is to build nests to revive the vulnerable penguin population. In 1929, Dore Strauch left the life she knew in Berlin to create a new one with the man she loved on remote Floreana Island. The reimagining of a true story, Floreana intertwines the emotional journeys of two women bound by dark secrets, the want to escape, and the lengths to which they’ll go to find their place in the world.
This is a dual timeline book told from the perspectives of the two women, almost 100 years apart. I really enjoyed the book which takes place in a location I'm not familiar with and contains a wealth of information about penguins and other wildlife in the Galapagos. The story is based on real events and if I ever find the time I'd like to read the true accounts of those events although I get the impression no one actually knows the real story. The characters are an unusual bunch, definitely not all likeable, and I was enthralled by the story. There's a bit of romance, a mystery and excellent descriptions of the struggles the original settlers endured.
I was lucky enough to have access to the audiobook as well as a digital copy and the story lends itself well to audio. Both Abigail Reno and Elisabeth Lagelee, the narrators, did an excellent job and I listened to the majority of the book and read other parts.
TW: Cruelty to animals, reference to miscarriage
My thanks to Little A via Netgalley for a digital copy of this book and to Brilliance Publishing via Netgalley for granting me access to the audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: December 1, 2024.
This is a dual timeline book told from the perspectives of the two women, almost 100 years apart. I really enjoyed the book which takes place in a location I'm not familiar with and contains a wealth of information about penguins and other wildlife in the Galapagos. The story is based on real events and if I ever find the time I'd like to read the true accounts of those events although I get the impression no one actually knows the real story. The characters are an unusual bunch, definitely not all likeable, and I was enthralled by the story. There's a bit of romance, a mystery and excellent descriptions of the struggles the original settlers endured.
I was lucky enough to have access to the audiobook as well as a digital copy and the story lends itself well to audio. Both Abigail Reno and Elisabeth Lagelee, the narrators, did an excellent job and I listened to the majority of the book and read other parts.
TW: Cruelty to animals, reference to miscarriage
My thanks to Little A via Netgalley for a digital copy of this book and to Brilliance Publishing via Netgalley for granting me access to the audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: December 1, 2024.
July 14, 2025
I just loved “My Last Continent” by Midge Raymond. I was looking forward to taking a literary trip to Galapagos
Although the descriptions and writing were beautiful, this book feel short for me It took almost half of the book to get into the story.
This book is written in a dual time line current time and 1930’s. The 1930’s time line was from the journals of Dore Strauch, who was a real person. She traveled from Berlin with the love of her life to seek paradise. The current story is that of Mallory who returns to the island after being there ten years ago. She wants to get back to her penguin research and escape her failed marriage.. Mallory discovers a journal but it is written in German. She must seek someone to translate.
The beginning of this book was very slow and drawn out. I did enjoy Dore’s story very much.The descriptions of the island were beautiful. There is animal cruelty in this book which some may find objectionable.
This was a good book but I was looking for more.
Although the descriptions and writing were beautiful, this book feel short for me It took almost half of the book to get into the story.
This book is written in a dual time line current time and 1930’s. The 1930’s time line was from the journals of Dore Strauch, who was a real person. She traveled from Berlin with the love of her life to seek paradise. The current story is that of Mallory who returns to the island after being there ten years ago. She wants to get back to her penguin research and escape her failed marriage.. Mallory discovers a journal but it is written in German. She must seek someone to translate.
The beginning of this book was very slow and drawn out. I did enjoy Dore’s story very much.The descriptions of the island were beautiful. There is animal cruelty in this book which some may find objectionable.
This was a good book but I was looking for more.
June 17, 2024
I was really excited for this one going in and it was a definite let down. The first half of the book was such a slog to get through and I really only enjoyed Dore's parts of the story. Mallory was so boring to me up until the reveal of why she was running away from her life. I feel like so many heavy topics were only briefly touched on and could have given the book a lot more depth if they were delved into. Because of this, I didn't really feel connected to anyone in the story.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
November 11, 2024
As soon as I seen the words "Galápagos Islands" and "penguins" I immediately downloaded it as my Amazon First Reads choice for the month.
The story takes place alternating in two time periods. In 1933, Dore arrives at Floreana with hopes and dreams of a new life ahead with her partner Friedrich, a doctor. In present day, the story is told through Mallory. Mallory had dedicated her life to being a penguin researcher. She had a career on Florena but left it behind after she got married and had a child. Ten years later she is drawn back to the island of Floreana.
The book is a definite slow burn but I enjoyed it immensely. I loved learning about Floreana, the references to the animals and mammals in the area. The book stirred up emotions. I felt sadness for both characters struggling, felt anger at some of the settlers and hung on to hope they would find happiness.
I hope one day to go to the Galápagos Islands so for me, this was a wonderful descriptive read. It was a heavy hearted read, despite the beauty of the island and ocean, it was a sad dark story at times.
The story takes place alternating in two time periods. In 1933, Dore arrives at Floreana with hopes and dreams of a new life ahead with her partner Friedrich, a doctor. In present day, the story is told through Mallory. Mallory had dedicated her life to being a penguin researcher. She had a career on Florena but left it behind after she got married and had a child. Ten years later she is drawn back to the island of Floreana.
The book is a definite slow burn but I enjoyed it immensely. I loved learning about Floreana, the references to the animals and mammals in the area. The book stirred up emotions. I felt sadness for both characters struggling, felt anger at some of the settlers and hung on to hope they would find happiness.
I hope one day to go to the Galápagos Islands so for me, this was a wonderful descriptive read. It was a heavy hearted read, despite the beauty of the island and ocean, it was a sad dark story at times.
September 21, 2024
Floreana is a about two women separated by time and circumstance that are brought to the Galapagos Island hoping for change. One discovers that she did not get the change she wanted and the other realized she could run from her life.
This story was moving and heart-breaking. However, somewhere in the chaotic turmoil of it all is the tiny shred of the hope they both desperately craved. The writing was superb. The subject matter was poignant and electric. I really enjoyed this novel. I think it will be one of my regular go too's.
ALL THE STARS!
I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me ARC access to this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story was moving and heart-breaking. However, somewhere in the chaotic turmoil of it all is the tiny shred of the hope they both desperately craved. The writing was superb. The subject matter was poignant and electric. I really enjoyed this novel. I think it will be one of my regular go too's.
ALL THE STARS!
I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me ARC access to this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 23, 2024
I was SUPER interested and loving Dores storyline… sadly Mallory’s fell flat for me in a lot of ways. All of the twists and turns in her story I saw coming.
September 30, 2024
This book follows two women living on the Galapagos Island of Floreana a century apart. One timeline is a historical fiction retelling of the Galapagos Affair during the settlement of Floreana. The other timeline is about a woman who returns to Floreana after several years for personal reasons and penguin conservation work.
I found Floreana slow-paced and focused primarily on character development as the chapters read like diary entries, though more action took place in the second half of the book. I enjoyed learning about penguins and the impact of invasive species on the Galapagos and the dramatic, inconsistent history of the Galapagos Affair.
Thank you NetGalley and Little A for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
I found Floreana slow-paced and focused primarily on character development as the chapters read like diary entries, though more action took place in the second half of the book. I enjoyed learning about penguins and the impact of invasive species on the Galapagos and the dramatic, inconsistent history of the Galapagos Affair.
Thank you NetGalley and Little A for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
September 24, 2024
I was excited for this one especially considering it was loosely based on a true story, but unfortunately it was a letdown.
The first half of the book was very slow and I only really cared about the chapters from Dore's perspective. The second half picked up, but I was left wanting a lot more - this was marketed as a murder-mystery but there wasn't any excitement/suspense/mystery really! Mallory wasn't an interesting character until the very end when we learn why she returned to the Galapagos, but there wasn't enough time to do anything with her and her story line just ends - I would have been happier with the entire plot centred around Dore who was far more dynamic and engaging. Also for a story set in such a lush and vibrant setting there was hardly any description, so I found it hard to imagine having never been to the Galapagos - I think the short jumpy chapters between the two characters didn't really help with the immersion into the scene.
These 2 stars are for Dore and Dore alone!
Thanks to NetGalley and Little A for the ARC.
The first half of the book was very slow and I only really cared about the chapters from Dore's perspective. The second half picked up, but I was left wanting a lot more - this was marketed as a murder-mystery but there wasn't any excitement/suspense/mystery really! Mallory wasn't an interesting character until the very end when we learn why she returned to the Galapagos, but there wasn't enough time to do anything with her and her story line just ends - I would have been happier with the entire plot centred around Dore who was far more dynamic and engaging. Also for a story set in such a lush and vibrant setting there was hardly any description, so I found it hard to imagine having never been to the Galapagos - I think the short jumpy chapters between the two characters didn't really help with the immersion into the scene.
These 2 stars are for Dore and Dore alone!
Thanks to NetGalley and Little A for the ARC.
October 15, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for a review. The opinions stated here are my own.
This book has all of the elements I’m excited for in a historical fiction. Based on a true story, and a dual timeline where the stories are linked and revealed in equal doses, we have Mallory working to unravel a murder mystery over 100 years old while we learn her own secrets.
I found the book, while running on the short side, took too long to grab me though. The Dore storyline was so much more interesting, and I couldn’t connect with Mallory’s character. I liked the talk of Galapagos itself and how the history of the island developed as humans and invasive species arrived. I just “liked” the book until about 70%, and then it started getting good.
Pros: Galápagos Islands! I was hungry for more. I liked the Dore part of the story and hearing this unknown to me story.
Cons: I wasn’t connecting with Mallory and couldn’t figure out why she was even there but to make the story longer. The reveal here was just so sad to me, but felt like it came out of nowhere.
It could’ve been a 4, but for taking to long to keep my attention, it stays a 3 star.
Otherwise clean with no language.
This book has all of the elements I’m excited for in a historical fiction. Based on a true story, and a dual timeline where the stories are linked and revealed in equal doses, we have Mallory working to unravel a murder mystery over 100 years old while we learn her own secrets.
I found the book, while running on the short side, took too long to grab me though. The Dore storyline was so much more interesting, and I couldn’t connect with Mallory’s character. I liked the talk of Galapagos itself and how the history of the island developed as humans and invasive species arrived. I just “liked” the book until about 70%, and then it started getting good.
Pros: Galápagos Islands! I was hungry for more. I liked the Dore part of the story and hearing this unknown to me story.
Cons: I wasn’t connecting with Mallory and couldn’t figure out why she was even there but to make the story longer. The reveal here was just so sad to me, but felt like it came out of nowhere.
It could’ve been a 4, but for taking to long to keep my attention, it stays a 3 star.
Otherwise clean with no language.
October 31, 2024
i was so excited for this based on the premise, as someone who has deep ties to the galapagos and is ecuadorian, but sadly this fell super flat and kind of felt like watching a bad lifetime movie.
mallory felt so surface level and almost overly dramatized? and while dore was much more interesting to read about, everything felt so rushed i just simply didn’t feel any depth or connection.
the plus side is it’s a very quick read; i finished it in less than a day. so if you’re looking for a quick story with not a ton of depth and some lifetime movie worthy twists, this one’s for you.
as always, i appreciate netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
mallory felt so surface level and almost overly dramatized? and while dore was much more interesting to read about, everything felt so rushed i just simply didn’t feel any depth or connection.
the plus side is it’s a very quick read; i finished it in less than a day. so if you’re looking for a quick story with not a ton of depth and some lifetime movie worthy twists, this one’s for you.
as always, i appreciate netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 10, 2025
I was not expecting very much from this book when I came across it at my local library. And yet, I finished it extremely happy and pleasantly surprised. Some parts of the story were predictable for a mystery, however, there is so much raw emotion that breaks through from the characters. I truly enjoyed this novel. It has given me insight on regret, power, and one's discovery of individual identity.
August 22, 2025
Another compelling novel from author Midge Raymond. This one’s based on a real-life tale/mystery that happened in the Galápagos Islands around a century ago. I’ve grown to absolutely love reading these kinds of literary/speculative fiction novels with a focus on nature from talented authors like Raymond and Audrey Schulman over the past few years.
Update Aug 2025: Ron Howard’s latest movie, “Eden”, is based on the novel. Hope it does the book justice.
Update Aug 2025: Ron Howard’s latest movie, “Eden”, is based on the novel. Hope it does the book justice.
December 19, 2024
Two women, living almost 100 years apart, arrive on Floreana Island, in the Galápagos. In 1929, Dore Strauch is fleeing a loveless marriage towards what she hopes is a happier future, while in the present, Mallory is there, after an absence of ten years to raise a family, to resume work on a project to build nests for the vulnerable penguin population.
Author Midge Raymond switches between each woman's perspective each chapter, giving us a sense of what has brought them to the island, what they are fleeing, and what they hope for.
Dore's chapters are straightforward, as we first meet her in Berlin, Germany, suffering from multiple sclerosis, unable to have a child (her dearest wish) and enraptured by a doctor who convinces her to go with him to Floreana, where she can rebuild her strength and they can be happy. Once there, she realizes that she and her love's interests have diverged, and she's becomes deeply unhappy, caring for their home, and getting to know the other residents, including a ferocious and arrogant woman known as the Baroness, who keeps everyone in line with her mercurial temper and the threat of violence.
Mallory's chapters are (I think) deliberately somewhat frustrating, as it's clear Mallory is hiding something, and refusing to be honest with the head of the penguin project (and her former lover), as well as herself. We do learn that her marriage is rocky, she and her husband are separated, and that Mallory has a severely allergic girl whose care consumed Mallory and put a strain on the marriage.
Mallory finds Dore's journals, which she needs translated by a photographer's assistant, who is there with the photographer whose purposes are not entirely congruent with the aims of the scientific project, but that will aid in its funding.
Mallory becomes entranced by Dore's story, and eventually, finally, is honest with her colleague, and more importantly, with herself (and the reader) about the mess of emotions that brought her back to Floreana, and to what she hoped would be the easier, less emotionally wrought and complicated life of her younger self, rather than the confusion and pain she has left behind in the States.
I like dual timeline stories, and author Midge Raymond does a nice job of drawing both Dore's and Mallory's personalities. Dore is a likeable woman, who finds consolation in her lonely life, both at home, and later on Floreana, by caring for animals. Mallory is a mess, and her reasons for silence on her life eventually make sense, even when I found her behaviour frustrating.
The story is a slow burn, as Raymond carefully teases out Dore's experiences, which were adapted from actual events in the past, and in leading Mallory to a realization about herself. I also liked the descriptions of life on Floreana both in the past and during the efforts to safeguard species in the present.
I will admit, my interest was initially piqued by this book because of the Galápagos islands, and its reference in “Schitt's Creek”, a very different story to the one told here.
I liked the two main characters in this novel, and Dore's plight particularly moved me. I was less enamoured by the author's tie between Dore to Mallory; I would have preferred if the connection had been solely based on Mallory's admiration for a tough, determined and kind woman who chose an unusual but very hard, and adventurous life for herself.
I listened and read this book, and quite enjoyed the voice talents of Abigail Reno and Elisabeth Lagelee. They brilliantly fleshed out the main characters, as well as all the other people surrounding them.
Thank you to Netgalley, Little A and Brilliance Publishing for these ARCs in exchange for my review.
Author Midge Raymond switches between each woman's perspective each chapter, giving us a sense of what has brought them to the island, what they are fleeing, and what they hope for.
Dore's chapters are straightforward, as we first meet her in Berlin, Germany, suffering from multiple sclerosis, unable to have a child (her dearest wish) and enraptured by a doctor who convinces her to go with him to Floreana, where she can rebuild her strength and they can be happy. Once there, she realizes that she and her love's interests have diverged, and she's becomes deeply unhappy, caring for their home, and getting to know the other residents, including a ferocious and arrogant woman known as the Baroness, who keeps everyone in line with her mercurial temper and the threat of violence.
Mallory's chapters are (I think) deliberately somewhat frustrating, as it's clear Mallory is hiding something, and refusing to be honest with the head of the penguin project (and her former lover), as well as herself. We do learn that her marriage is rocky, she and her husband are separated, and that Mallory has a severely allergic girl whose care consumed Mallory and put a strain on the marriage.
Mallory finds Dore's journals, which she needs translated by a photographer's assistant, who is there with the photographer whose purposes are not entirely congruent with the aims of the scientific project, but that will aid in its funding.
Mallory becomes entranced by Dore's story, and eventually, finally, is honest with her colleague, and more importantly, with herself (and the reader) about the mess of emotions that brought her back to Floreana, and to what she hoped would be the easier, less emotionally wrought and complicated life of her younger self, rather than the confusion and pain she has left behind in the States.
I like dual timeline stories, and author Midge Raymond does a nice job of drawing both Dore's and Mallory's personalities. Dore is a likeable woman, who finds consolation in her lonely life, both at home, and later on Floreana, by caring for animals. Mallory is a mess, and her reasons for silence on her life eventually make sense, even when I found her behaviour frustrating.
The story is a slow burn, as Raymond carefully teases out Dore's experiences, which were adapted from actual events in the past, and in leading Mallory to a realization about herself. I also liked the descriptions of life on Floreana both in the past and during the efforts to safeguard species in the present.
I will admit, my interest was initially piqued by this book because of the Galápagos islands, and its reference in “Schitt's Creek”, a very different story to the one told here.
I liked the two main characters in this novel, and Dore's plight particularly moved me. I was less enamoured by the author's tie between Dore to Mallory; I would have preferred if the connection had been solely based on Mallory's admiration for a tough, determined and kind woman who chose an unusual but very hard, and adventurous life for herself.
I listened and read this book, and quite enjoyed the voice talents of Abigail Reno and Elisabeth Lagelee. They brilliantly fleshed out the main characters, as well as all the other people surrounding them.
Thank you to Netgalley, Little A and Brilliance Publishing for these ARCs in exchange for my review.
March 21, 2025
When I started reading Floreana, it felt like quite a slog to get through for at least the first 20%, causing me to temporarily put it down. However, when I returned, the book became fascinating in exchange for gaining speed with the arrival of new characters on the island and growing tension the book became fascinating. The reveals that started happening throughout the second half of the book never failed to shock me and steeply held my attention.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 15, 2025
3.5 stars- didn’t think I would like this one as it was a bit hard to get into, but it ended up really interesting!
July 5, 2025
Lovely. Well-woven blend of historic and modern fiction about Floreana Island featuring penguin conservation. Strong themes (time, regret, freedom, purpose, care for animals, nature of humanity). Romantic and wistful. Some nice twists increase tension as the novel continues.
March 23, 2025
Based on true events, this story kept me up at night with anxiety about what was going to happen to the people that lived on the island, Floreana, in the 1930s and those making artificial penguin nests in current times.
November 30, 2024
Floreana is a look into The Galapagos Affair and a fictional embellishment of what might have been.
I was absolutely enamoured with this book, having the two women's stories paralleled over 100 years was so captivating. We follow Dore, a German woman disappointed in her life who follows a man to an uninhabited island in 1929, and Mallory, a modern day American woman working to preserve the local penguin population. I thought the island of Floreana itself was a beautiful character, full of challenges and secrets.
The author's note was particularly interesting - I was excited to learn this was based on a real historical story and immediately went on a deep dive to research the subject! I love learning about these little pieces of history so thank you Midge Raymond!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Available December 1, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and Little A for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I was absolutely enamoured with this book, having the two women's stories paralleled over 100 years was so captivating. We follow Dore, a German woman disappointed in her life who follows a man to an uninhabited island in 1929, and Mallory, a modern day American woman working to preserve the local penguin population. I thought the island of Floreana itself was a beautiful character, full of challenges and secrets.
The author's note was particularly interesting - I was excited to learn this was based on a real historical story and immediately went on a deep dive to research the subject! I love learning about these little pieces of history so thank you Midge Raymond!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Available December 1, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and Little A for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 28, 2025
was surprised to learn that this was based loosely on true events. interesting, but sad
June 20, 2024
"This is the story no one will ever know. perhaps, if I have hidden these pages well enough, no one will ever read these words. but I have to put them to paper. a woman cannot keep such thoughts to herself, even if there is no one she can tell. the burden of secrets is made ever so much greater by the burden of loneliness."
One island, two women, two timelines, and a love for animals.
'Floreana' is a tale about loneliness, grief, motherhood, and the desire to love and be loved. It reimagines the infamous events of 1929 in the Galapagos Islands, known as 'murder in paradise', involving a German doctor and his mistress who sought to escape civilization by creating their own version of paradise on a deserted island. The story focuses on the settlers, the Rittmans and the Wittmers, and the mysterious Baroness who arrives with two lovers, treating everyone like servants and complicating their lives.
"How can a man be one person in one setting and someone else in another?"
The narrative unfolds through different points of view: Dore grapples with isolation on the island, separated from her family with minimal human interaction and emotionally neglected by her partner, finding solace only in caring for animals. Mallory returns to Floreana in the present day for penguin conservation after previously leaving to start a family.
"I am not alone here on Floreana, yet I find that being so utterly dependent on another, to put one's life in another's hands so completely, is worse than being alone. It would be a blessing to choose loneliness."
"but I need Something to raise, something to nurture, some beauty to behold. Some new, colorful life. Something to love."
"It occurs to me that this is why women have children- how can we depend on men to return the abundance of love we have to give?"
The book poses thought-provoking questions about meeting expectations and the fear of disappointing others. What does it truly take to understand someone. It also delves into animal conservation, exploring the contrasts between selfless dedication and selfish exploitation.
"Conservation, like parenting, gives us a chance to change the future. to create the future."
I have no comments about the writing style or pace. Perhaps the only issue is the imbalance of the chapters. We see much more of Dore's character throughout the book, which gives her more depth, making it easier for us to empathize with her. In contrast, Mallory's chapters are very short and focused on routine activities, merely describing what she does. It feels like two of Mallory's chapters equal one of Dore's. As a result, it was difficult not only to get to know Mallory but also to sympathize with her, which is a shame because her character is intriguing.
" Can one experience paradise if no one is watching?"
Thank you Netgallery and the publishers for the ARC. I can't wait to hear what others think about it!
3.5/5 ⭐
June 17, 2025
well done!
I liked this book all the way along, but the end really got me and now I love this book. Such a great read!
I liked this book all the way along, but the end really got me and now I love this book. Such a great read!
January 7, 2025
It is historical fiction and I knew a little of the mystery of the Galapagos disappearances. The dual narrators kept the stories in the past and present connected and moving forward. There are definitely some twists in the story that I didn’t see coming. I appreciated the Author’s note at the end.
June 8, 2025
need more EcoLit rn
December 19, 2024
Good god, what absolute disdain and hatred for one's own self, described only in hours of loathing and the inability to just admit that they believe the grass is greener elsewhere. But let us not remain under a single impression, for in the stories of these main characters, every single aspect of the world is saddening and yes, greener elsewhere, hanging on to another person laden with the skills to disappoint and literally no other personality what so ever. Will they go back to the former lifestyle? Yes, and they'll question it all for the remainder of the book. What this book wants to promise in an offer of hope, it severely undercuts when on numerous occasions it blames and sacrifices a character who holds herself at fault for not sincerely teaching her disturbingly stupid and careless husband how to prepare for their daughter's allergies. On multiple occasions she spells out her specific disappointments for her own lack when in reality a relationship like this and the scenario's outcome could be met with his arrest for child endangerment. I mean, really. What garbage. This entire book pours out level upon level of hatred towards the feminine self, mothers, the intelligence and pliability of women in every form while not applauding but.. allowing the regurgitation of stories of simple and such helpless, stupid men that work to change and control and cover up the lives of the women they meet. None of this book is heroic. It's not enlightening or bold, it's sad, and hollow, and so so disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2025
DNF at 47% complete. Couldn’t take the animal violence. I know it’s part of the story, but it’s too emotional to read for entertainment and relaxation.
November 17, 2024
This is a dual timeline story set on the island of Floreana in the Galapagos islands, focused on Mallory in 2020 and Dore in the early 1930's. Ten years ago, Mallory left behind her career doing conservation work to support vulnerable penguin populations to get married and raise her daughter, but now she is back on Floreana, trying to rediscover who she really is when she isn't "mom". Mallory stumbles upon hidden diaries written by Dore who "ran away" to Floreana with her lover, Friedrich, in 1929, only to discover her new life is different but not better than her old one. Dore and Friedrich are joined on the island by another German family and "the Baroness" (who soon declared herself the Empress of Floreana) and her two lovers. Dore's diary provides new and shocking insights into her life on the island and the mysterious "Galapagos Affair" --the sudden and unexplained disappearance of the Baroness and one of her lovers. This historic timeline is a fictitious account of real events, and while it starts as the somewhat sad diary of a woman disappointed in her life, Raymond does an excellent job of building tension and providing an interesting, if fictional, solution to the mystery. It took longer to get to know Mallory, but once I knew her whole story, her actions and inner conflict made sense. I found the descriptions of Floreana's harsh but amazing ecosystem and the deep personal introspection of two women, almost a century apart, compelling.
December 9, 2024
I’ll be really honest, when I requested to listen to this audiobook I thought It would be more like “sea of tranquillity”, but that was not true, its a different story that touches several themes, the twists and turns in the story weren’t really surprises, more like confirmations of what I had guess that would come along. This is a love story, a story where people go where they must go, where in turn they face their future or what can’t be changed, and learn to live with the consequences… what surprised me the most was that what took place in Floriana almost 100 years ago, is based in a true story, those characters are based in real people that lived and breathed in those shores… but what really happened is still a mystery.
I did enjoy the narration, I went back after I finished the book and I was surprised to learn that I had two different narrators, I thought during the book that It was only one and that she did a great job, well it was at the same a great job that really made me enjoy the story and the quality of the audiobook. I recommend this audiobook for people who like historical romances with a twist…
I give the story 3.4 stars but to the performance of the audiobook I give it fully 4 stars, I did enjoy it.
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio, for the free AAC and this is my honest opinion.
I did enjoy the narration, I went back after I finished the book and I was surprised to learn that I had two different narrators, I thought during the book that It was only one and that she did a great job, well it was at the same a great job that really made me enjoy the story and the quality of the audiobook. I recommend this audiobook for people who like historical romances with a twist…
I give the story 3.4 stars but to the performance of the audiobook I give it fully 4 stars, I did enjoy it.
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio, for the free AAC and this is my honest opinion.
November 25, 2024
Thank you to netgalley and Little A for the eARC!
The novel is told through two POVs and timelines, Dore in 1929 and Mallory in 2020. Both women’s stories take place on Floreana, which is a small island on the southern end of the Galapagos archipelago.
I liked Dore’s chapters the best because her chapters were the most compelling! Dore is one of the first settlers to live on Floreana, escaping her life in Berlin. Meanwhile Mallory is in Floreana to escape her life back in Boston and to help with building nests to try and increase/protect the Penguin populations. Her chapters were more difficult to feel engaged with because they were more telling over showing, which I personally don’t enjoy.
The middle slumped a bit as it became slower paced and mundane in its details. But I appreciated the atmospheric setting descriptions and learning about animals/conservation efforts! I was also intrigued to find out this was based loosely on a true story 🤯
One of the secrets revealed was predictable from the start, but the rest of them were well executed surprises. There were a lot of parallels with the two women despite being almost a hundred years apart. This was an emotional read exploring grief, motherhood, environmental issues, and what it means to be human!
TW/CW: infertility, miscarriage, animal death, infidelity, grief, murder, child death
Rep: infertility, multiple sclerosis
The novel is told through two POVs and timelines, Dore in 1929 and Mallory in 2020. Both women’s stories take place on Floreana, which is a small island on the southern end of the Galapagos archipelago.
I liked Dore’s chapters the best because her chapters were the most compelling! Dore is one of the first settlers to live on Floreana, escaping her life in Berlin. Meanwhile Mallory is in Floreana to escape her life back in Boston and to help with building nests to try and increase/protect the Penguin populations. Her chapters were more difficult to feel engaged with because they were more telling over showing, which I personally don’t enjoy.
The middle slumped a bit as it became slower paced and mundane in its details. But I appreciated the atmospheric setting descriptions and learning about animals/conservation efforts! I was also intrigued to find out this was based loosely on a true story 🤯
One of the secrets revealed was predictable from the start, but the rest of them were well executed surprises. There were a lot of parallels with the two women despite being almost a hundred years apart. This was an emotional read exploring grief, motherhood, environmental issues, and what it means to be human!
TW/CW: infertility, miscarriage, animal death, infidelity, grief, murder, child death
Rep: infertility, multiple sclerosis
December 17, 2024
I like historical and nature inspired literature -this book does both well. Floreanna is written with a deep respect of the Galápagos Islands where the main story is set. Human drama as well as the life of the penguins are woven into the story. Questions about conservation and our impact on nature are a struggle for the book’s characters. They also deal with themes of isolation and survival both with other people on the island and with the fragile environment where they find themselves.
Life on the island of Floreanna told from the perspective of two different women in two different time periods. They both searched for a place in the natural world.
The connection between the two parallel stories is unexpected and fulfilling.
Life on the island of Floreanna told from the perspective of two different women in two different time periods. They both searched for a place in the natural world.
The connection between the two parallel stories is unexpected and fulfilling.
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