L'isola dei sussurri

by Frances Hardinge, Giuseppe Iacobaci (Translator), Emily Gravett (Illustrator)

Un racconto travolgente, accompagnato dalle preziose illustrazioni di Emily Gravett. Come le farfalle abbandonano il bozzolo, così i morti si spogliano del corpo. Ma non nell'isola di Merlank, dove gli spiriti si attardano sulla terra, ascoltando l'orchestra di suoni quasi impercettibili prodotta dalle nebbie che si annidano tra le rocce. L'unico modo per ritrovare il varco che conduce fuori dal mondo è arrivare all'isola della Torre Spezzata. E c'è solo un uomo che può condurre là le il Passatore. Quando però questo viene ucciso, il compito ricade sul figlio. A differenza del padre, imperturbabile, a Milo in presenza dei Defunti la mente turbina e comincia a fantasticare, a dipingere immagini. Ostacolato nella sua missione dal signore di Merlank, che rivuole indietro lo spirito della figlia Gabrielle, e da due maghi maligni, Milo dovrà resistere alle tentazioni e alle minacce che sussurrano nella nebbia. Ma forse, questa volta, la sua immaginazione sarà la migliore alleata.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Ghosts, Supernatural, Young Adult

107 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 2023

About the author

Frances Hardinge spent her childhood in a huge, isolated old house in a small, strange village, and the two things inspired her to write strange, magical stories from an early age. She studied English at Oxford University and now lives in Oxford, England.

Reviews

[Nataliya · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Kindness is not weakness. To be kind in this unkind world is walking through a battlefield without armor or sword. It takes courage and strength to be kind.”

Frances Hardinge can make books even for quite young audience into something special — sweet and bittersweet without ever veering into sentimentality; people learning to do things that are right even if not easy without sliding into preachy moralizing; easy to follow and yet with complexity to them despite the seemingly simple structure.

The way she writes her sentences and creates her imagery just tickles my brain in that very special way I cannot resist.

“The man in indigo was a craftsman of sorts, with a mind like a very old toolbox. It held sharp things, crookedly clever things, and things that should have been thrown away a long time before. It would not do to reach too hastily into such a mind. You might cut yourself or put your hand on a spider.”

It’s a story of a young boy who must step into the shoes of the Ferryman, transporting dead souls to the island from where they can move on. There’s death and grief and learning to let go and embrace what comes after the loss. The mood is pensive and contemplative, helped Emily Greavett’s by the illustrations in black, white and blue.

“The worst thing about losing somebody is that, even after you survive a difficult day, the next morning the person you miss is still gone, and you have to get through another day without them.”

I liked The Forest of a Thousand Eyes just a tad more, but this one is still a lovely work by one of my absolute favorite authors, even if I’m decades removed from being a child. But Hardinge is wonderful for all ages.

4 stars.

——————
Also posted on my blog.

[Kai Spellmeier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frances can’t do any wrong, this was breathtaking

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. reading vlog: https://youtu.be/b82234AUi40

a wonderful middle grade about empathy, kindness and understanding each other. just for me enjoyment wise it felt a bit too short!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book purely because of its author since Hardinge has never let me down.

In this pretty illustrated work of fiction, the author tells of an island shrouded in mist that keeps the dead from moving on as easily as in other places. Therefore, Merlank (the island) has a Ferryman. Unfortunately, some are more reluctant to let go of their dead relatives than others resulting in the dead of the old Ferryman. Milo, his youngest son, therefore has to take over although he is still very young and hasn't had any training.

Personally, I adore stories about the different incarnation of Charon as they tell of humanity's different ways of dealing with grief and loss. This modern take was no different and I liked the metaphors the author employed to highlight the importance of courage and imagination when it comes to handling edelicate matters others might shy away from.

Yes, this is also a bit of an underdog story that tells of people being put in categories (or boxes) and how they can surprise you if only you let them. That was an added bonus, I thought.

The rest was pure atmosphere, helped by the pretty (albeit not my favorite) illustrations:




The writing was appropriately tender and moving as befits a story of this theme, with the kind of prose I've come to expect from this author.

Not her best, but definitely an important addition to my collection. A nice little book that packs quite a punch and takes the reader on an eventful journey.

[Hirondelle (not getting notifications) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am just not the target, the reader for this, but I am a Frances Hardinge fan and could not resist.

First, it is not YA, it is children´s-middlegrade stuff, a definite change in style from her previous novels (I have not read all the short stories). Second, it is short, it is not even "novella" length, it is about 15k words or so, if that. Her writing is as usual lovely and great insights occasionally but the plot mechanics are more external, more open, physical conflict than expected and for adult me (indulging with children's books) if felt unbalanced, odd sometimes Milo does process his father's murder, movingly at the end, but for an adult, his rushing to do the job or the focus on Gabrielle throughout the journey felt a bit to the side, at least for an adult...

Illustrations are lovely, I very much like the style (though personal quirk, did not like the facial expressions a few times).

I think this was actually named The Ferryman, when its publication was announced, over a year or so ago, and that was to me a better title and how I will remember this story.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Kindness is not weakness. To be kind in this unkind world is walking through a battlefield without armour or sword. It takes courage and strength to be kind.”
Wow! This short story packs a powerful punch. It was full of powerful magical messages addressing bereavement and self determination amongst other things. The illustrations were perfect too. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frances Hardinge is a talented and highly creative author - pulling readers into new worlds and building imagery that leaves you stunned, bewildered and amazed.

The Island of Whispers - superbly and movingly illustrated by Emily Gravett - is at first a ‘simple tale ‘ of the journey between life and death ; but the touching and deeply profound way that young Milo has to take the helm of navigating the ship that carries the dead to their afterlife whilst being followed by a Lord who wants his daughter’s body returned to him is moving , exciting and laden with adventure.

The descriptive prose of the journey alongside the illustrations bring Milo’s conflict of doing the right thing astoundingly alive. (No pun intended)

“To be kind in this unkind world is walking through a battlefield without armour or sword. It takes courage and strength to be kind.” This sentence alone has such power and depth and like the story stays with you long after reading.

Ideally for the 11+ reader and a book that could promote discussion about how we make choices during tough times.

Simply Outstanding

[J.J. Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un cuento infantil sencillo, moderno y conmovedor. El final me puso bastante emotivo; tanto que no lo esperaba.

[Mafalda Fernandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

"People were like shoes. Sometimes their seams split and their soles came away, and you didn't see it coming."

"They do not touch you. But they will trick you into touching them. Falter-moths, grief-winged. Things of doubt and confusion that feed on loss. If you touch them, they will feed on you..."

"No. The word was uttered with unusual force. Kindness is not weakness. To be kind in this unkind world is walking through a battlefield without armour or sword. It takes courage and strength to be kind."

"The worst thing about losing somebody is that, even after you survive a difficult day, the next morning the person you miss is still gone, and you have to get through another day without them."

[Hana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like a distillation of everything I love about Frances Hardinge’s writing. It’s so short (120 pages, of which a good amount of the space is further taken up by illustration) that I don’t really want to say much about the specifics. Just know it’s definitely up there among my favourites of her books!

It’s also now going to be top of my list for recommending to people as a good place to start with Frances Hardinge’s work. It’s a great introduction to her style, but easily digestible – not at all confusing, and not too weird!

It has everything I love most about her writing: the creepy, almost-sentient setting; the lyrical prose that’s metaphor-heavy without feeling over the top; nuanced themes; and a protagonist you just want to hug and wrap in a warm blanket. And yet somehow (in somewhat of a departure from her usual style!) instead of taking 100 pages for the story to really get going, in Island of Whispers she somehow manages to do all of that in this tiny package.

Plus, Emily Gravett’s beautiful and deceptively simple illustrations. There are just three colours: black, white and blue, and they won’t be everyone’s style, but they fit the mood of the story so perfectly. I don’t always (or even often) buy physical copies of books I’ve read as eARCs, but this is one I can’t wait to get my hands on, because I’m certain it’s just going to be an absolutely stunning object!

CW: grief, death of a loved one

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08/09/23: Is this… my favourite thing Frances Hardinge has written?

That might be too bold of a claim to make without some further reflection, but it’s definitely up there.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful tale filled with glorious illustrations that follows Milo, the Ferryman's son as he, alone, has to complete his father's role.

How people behave when faced with loss varies but the Ferryman is there to take the departed to the Island. He collects the deceased's shoes and off they go....unless someone can't face losing their loved one.

Hardinge writes with such beautiful, lyrical prose that you can't help but be swept along in her tales.

The illustrations make this worth buying a paper copy

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan for an e-arc, all opinions are my own.

[Farah Mendlesohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Frances. Just go read it.

(note to others like my husband; just because it has the most beautiful pictures *doesn't make it a child's book* tho I am sure many children will love it.)

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Openly WEEPING

[Susana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as I though this would be.
The bones are there, but it definitely needed a little more meat.
The concept was interesting, but neither the writing nor the characters were that remarkable.
Which is weird for a Hardinge story. But here we are.

[Leonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've got an hour and a half to spare, you could do worse than listen to this beautiful story about the ferryman of the dead. 

[DaNae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frances Hardinge is the author that makes me glad books exist. A story can be so much more than a tale, so much more than mere characters and actions, so much more than the words on a page. It can lead you to truth and beauty, cracking open what it means to be human. Hyperbole aside, this book is slightly spooky, slightly harrowing, and a damn good story. The queen of unexpected world-building has delivered once again.

Milo, the younger son of the Ferryman for the dead, suddenly finds himself at the helm of his father’s boat full of ghosts. They are pursued across the sea by the powerful, ruthless, grief-stricken father of one of Milo’s passengers. Will the dead or living be the greater threat?

At about a quarter the length of most of her books, Island of Whispers manages to deliver a fleshed-out (Ironic descriptor due to all the ghosts) narrative full of danger, subterfuge and a satisfying end.

I both listened to the audio and read the ebook. Both were excellent. The ebook did some fun witchy things with the ghosts in the illustrations. I will need to wait to see the hardcopy until my order comes in. Emily Gravett’s illustrations are becomingly eerie.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written with beautiful illustrations. I enjoyed the story about grief, caring, and growing into yourself with confidence. As an adult this was a lovely short read between other "serious grown up" books.

[this_eel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely fairy tale for children about death, grief, generosity and self discovery from an assured fantasist and one of my favorite illustrators. Marketed as spooky. Graciously less spooky than a lot of Hardinge’s longer books, being as it is for a younger audience. Would make a wonderful readaloud for kids who haven’t yet outgrown it or adults who remembers the pleasures of a readaloud again.

[Agnese D · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Essere gentili in questo mondo brutale significa aggirarsi per un campo di battaglia senza armatura né spada. Essere gentili richiede forza e coraggio."

[Gemstomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars; just shy of 5 because I wish it was longer!

For someone who doesn’t actively seek out ghost stories, I sure feel like some truly remarkable ones have been zeroing in on me for the past few years.

The island of Merlank is home to the wandering Dead who drift across the island leaving entropy in their wake and who can kill any man on sight. For as long as anyone can remember, it’s been the task of the Ferryman to gather up these wayward ghosts and take them to the Island of the Broken Tower, where they can finally move on.

Milo’s father has always been convinced that his son was never cut out to be a Ferryman like himself. Milo, he says, has always been too soft for any dealings with the Dead. But one day, grave misfortune falls upon them and Milo finds himself stepping into the Ferryman’s shoes. Following at his heels are a newly restless cadre of the waiting Dead…with his father as one of this ghostly crew.

In pursuit of Milo’s ship is the Lord of Merlank, unable to accept his young daughter’s untimely loss. And with him are his army of guards and two sinister magicians who will use any mystic trick up their sleeves. Soon, a race to the Island begins, and Milo will face off against grief-winged creatures, shrouded phantoms, and death-marked visions as he ferries his passengers towards deliverance.

‘Island of Whispers’ is simply a gorgeously told tale. Hardinge, one of the best fantasists around, has a talent for conjuring up images that are impossible to shake. A psychopomp ship that sails the seam between worlds. Otherworldly critters that mark the crossing from mortal seas to uncanny waters. The Dead scrawling down their soot-black final wishes. Pale arches of crossings and silver shores from the life beyond the sea. These starkly unforgettable images, crafted with Hardinge’s signature hymnlike prose, are punctuated with an eerie series of illustrations by Emily Gravett, and you’d best bet I’ve already marked down a physical copy of the book as a must-have.

I think the key to any properly melancholic ghost story is the underlying whisper of what could have been, and this sigh haunts ‘Island of Whispers’ in spades. With her wandering Dead, Hardinge summons up wonder, heartache, and sometimes even terror, underscored by the last of their human-selves that continue to cling on. Particularly painful is the journey of the lord’s daughter, who laments that she always ‘thought there would be time’ to dream out her days. And then there’s Milo’s departed father, whose sternly lingering voice remains a phantom presence over his son’s shoulder. It is a bittersweet affair to watch these ghosts bid farewell: to those whom it hurts to leave behind, to a life that has been lived, to what will never be.

The gentling pulse of this story lies with Milo and his own quiet soul-growth. Here is a boy with a mantle he never meant to take up, who’s always been told he was too mild-hearted for such a grim and austere duty as this. Yet Milo’s reserves of empathy and imagination, his willingness to lower his guard, and his fervent determination to tide every soul over and be true to their memories…all these may just be what the living and the Dead have needed all along.

‘Island of Whispers’ is a tender novella about grief and valediction, a meditation on how to potently
experience the hearts we’ve got and hold lives dear while we’re still here. It left me feeling kinder and wiser for having read it, and for that alone, I really can’t recommend this little tale enough.

[E.H. Alger · Rating 4 out of 5]

“No… Kindness is not weakness. To be kind in this unkind world is walking through a battlefield without armour or sword. It takes courage and strength to be kind.”
Another wonderful book from Frances Hardinge; deceptively simple yet full of wisdom.

[Lady Fancifull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange, alluring and utterly beautiful in story and in illustrations

Frances Hardinge is a mesmeric and utterly imaginative writer. One who hooks into the soul of any adult who does not seek to bury their earlier, childlike sense of wonder. And of course she will hook into the soul of children too. She is a wonderful writer. Period. She happens to write for children.

Anyway, Island of Whispers is a novella, or a longish short story. What is different here from other Hardinge’s I’ve read, is that this is a collaboration between author, artist and illustrator Emily Gravett and Hardinge. Emily Gravett as author, writes for much younger children, with the focus really being on her sumptuous illustrations. Hardinge writes for children who would have been confidently immersing themselves in narrative, character and literary complexity for quite some time.

The narrative in this concerns a family on a small strange island. For generations they have been Ferrymen, carrying the ghosts of the dead to another strange island, home of a ruined tower.

Hero and central character of this book is Milo, an imaginative and empathetic boy of 14, youngest son of the rather grizzled, grim Ferryman a man with “a stillness, a stern calm in his eyes like a winter evening sky”

This wonderful novella is made equally so by Hardinge’s extraordinary writing and Gravett’s extraordinary illustrations, in black, white and judicious blue wash. The pictures, as much as the words, should be savoured and lingered over.

I read this on Kindle, and realised that though the illustrations were beautiful, just in black and white, that I needed to experience them in better format, so downloaded again in the NetGalley app for Android. I really hate reading on any digital device other than Kindle, but could at least read on Kindle and flick for the illustrations on Android.

Really, this will definitely be a book to buy as a physical copy, for full and glorious appreciation. This is a heavenly marriage between visual and literary art forms. Enchanting, truly.

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short read- took me about 3 hours max.

I’ve always loved the idea of the ferryman in various mythologies, whose job if is to row the dead to their eternal rest. Frances Hardinge’s dark fairytale ‘Island of Whispers’ centres around this idea. A simple tale on the surface, which explores our relationships with life and death.

A bereaved mother turns up at the ferryman’s house carrying her daughter’s shoes- which her soul will follow to the Island of the Broken Tower, the island of the dead. I found the idea of the shoes so simply heartbreaking- as a symbol of the life lived and of travelling to the other side. These particular shoes , are an exquisite blue pair with buckles- once a precious gift for their fourteen-year-old wearer, Gabrielle. Her father, a powerful merchant, is wracked with grief and with the guilt of an absent father, who did not spend enough time with his beloved child in life. He demands the shoes back from the ferryman, who refuses, knowing how you must deal with the dead.

The ferryman is incapacitated and it falls to his son-inexperienced and perhaps incapable- to cross the seas and deliver the dead, pursued by the desperate merchant with some powerful magicians at his side.

Among the ghosts, the stormy seas, headless birds and dark magic is a story about love; about seizing the day; about forging your own path; about grief, and life after loss.

Hardinge’s skill is such, that even in this short form, you are pulled in, swept away on board Mare and made to care about these characters, who you really know little about, in a way that you feel every emotional beat.
I loved it.

Emily Gravett’s illustrations are absolutely stunning- so atmospheric and sometimes, heartbreaking.

[Brian Stabler · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the island of Merlank the Dead linger. It's down to the Ferryman to escort them to the island of the Broken Tower from where they can move on. When the Ferryman dies suddenly it's down to his son, Milo, to take the helm. With Island of Whispers Frances Hardinge has crafted a Gaimanesque coming-of-age tale that is both enchanting and tragic. It may be a slight volume at only 121 pages, but manages to pack more story and characterisation into those pages than some much larger books. The prose is accompanied throughout by Emily Gravett's beautiful, blue-tinged illustrations that add an extra dimension. While this book is clearly aimed at a younger audience than myself I can see many other adults reading it with their children while enjoying it themselves.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Two Hoots for an advanced copy.

[Sophie Breese · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

A really beautiful meditation on death and letting go, for younger readers. I listened to the story so didn't have the illustrations to go with it and I think those are part of the experience. I think I would have liked it to be a little longer somehow although actually as a sort of fairy tale she got it right.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

the most moving thing about this fairytale-esque illustrated story is not the dead, though their deaths are sad, but the affirmation the main character gets from his father. In life the father did not think him able to take over as the ferryman of the dead. But because he had no choice when his father's life was cut short, he did what he had to do for the people of his island, and his father, a dead passenger, had the chance to give him the affirmation he needed--

What would a real Ferryman do now?

He'd do whatever you do, son.

(it is more powerful in context, perhaps....)

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.95 stars

Frances Hardinge never disappoints! The illustrations by Emily Gravett were so beautiful as well, with a limited colour palette that worked so well with the atmosphere of this story. I do feel like the last page was a little unnecessary, and that ending on the previous page would have felt so perfect, but it wasn't a huge issue. A perfect read for spooky season actually!

Read for #MinisculeMarch hosted by The Sassy Library Fox

[Manoek (manoeksbooknook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful and heartfelt fairytale like middle grade story about grief with beautiful illustrations!

"Kindness is not weakness. To be kind in this unkind world is walking through a battlefield without armour or sword. It takes courage and strength to be kind"

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful and original story about growing up and finding your way in the world. Thoroughly engaging, gorgeously illustrated. Just gorgeous!

[Rachel Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. Amazing. Beautiful.