Forever Island

by Patrick D. Smith

An eighty-six-year-old Seminole Indian decides to fight back when his simple existence in the Big Cypress Swamp is threatened by a projected housing development

Genres: Fiction, Native American

191 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1973

About the author

Patrick Smith is a 1999 inductee into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, the highest and most prestigious cultural honor that can be bestowed upon an individual by the State of Florida.
In May 2002 Smith was the recipient of the Florida Historical Society’s Fay Schweim Award as the “Greatest Living Floridian.” The one-time-only award was established to honor the one individual who has contributed the most to Florida in recent history. Smith was cited for the impact his novels have made on Floridians, both natives and newcomers to the state, and for the worldwide acclaim he has received.

Smith has been nominated three times for the Pulitzer Prize, in 1973 for Forever Island, which was a 1974 selection of the Reader’s Digest Condensed Book Club and has been published in 46 countries; in 1978 for Angel City, which was produced as a “Movie of the Week” for the CBS television network and has aired worldwide; and in 1984 for A Land Remembered, which was an Editors’ Choice selection of the New York Times Book Review. In the 2001 The Best of Florida statewide poll taken by Florida Monthly magazine, A Land Remembered was ranked #1 Best Florida Book. The novel also ranked #1 in all the polls since then. Smith’s lifetime work was nominated for the 1985 Nobel Prize for Literature, and since then he has received five additional nominations.

In 2008 he was honored with a Literary Heritage Award at the 1st Annual Heritage Book Festival in St Augustine. FLorida's Secretary of State Kurt Browning presented the award.

In 1995 Patrick Smith was elected by The Southern Academy of Letters, Arts and Science for its highest literary award, The Order of the South. Previous recipients include Eudora Welty, James Dickey, and Reynolds Price. In 1996 he was named a Florida Ambassador of the Arts, an honor given each year by the state of Florida to someone who has made significant contributions to Florida's cultural growth. In 1999 Smith was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, which is the highest and most prestigious cultural honor the state bestows upon an individual artist. Prior inductees include writers Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Zora Neale Hurston, and Ernest Hemingway.

In October 1990 he received the University of Mississippi’s Distinguished Alumni Award and was inducted into the University’s Alumni Hall of Fame. In 1997, the Florida Historical Society created a new annual award, the Patrick D. Smith Florida Literature Award, in his honor.

Thousands of people of all ages have enjoyed his books and his talks. With his new DVD, A Sense of Place, you can spend an intimate hour with this soft-spoken author and gain an insight into the creative processes that resulted in his beloved books.

Patrick lives in Merritt Island, Florida with his wife Iris and his beloved cats.

Reviews

[BookReviewer · Rating 1 out of 5]

So... I had to read this for my summer reading. Here's what I thought about it
1. It's boring!!!!!!
2. It's boring!!!!!
3. Got to page 4 and already wanted to throw the book across the room
4. If you hate this book, never read The Old Man and the Sea, it's just as boring. But if you love this book, you definitely should read the old man and the sea.
5. One of the most boring books I've ever read
6. I hate this book! (and you should too!)

[Sean Reedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, stiff straightforward delivery. Reflect on the irreversible cultural and ecological losses from developing Florida.

[Wils Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Excellent Book

Life in the swamp of the Everglades as seen though the eyes of Charlie Jumper, a Seminole Indian, who had never lived anywhere else. Modern civilization of the white was closing in on the Indian and his family.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So tragic and sad. This is very much a true story, even though fiction. I liked this book very much.

[Catherine Petrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was as good as, if not better than, Patrick Smith’s popular book “A Land Remembered,” which I thoroughly enjoyed. If you live in Florida or visit often, I highly recommend Smith’s books.

[Carol McCuskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Native, Southern culture

I had never read a Patrick Smith book. To me the words of this book resonated the personality of the main character,, Charlie.. They were both simultaneously quiet and powerful. In my enthusiasm to share this book with some locals here in St. Augustine, FL. I discovered that they had all read it!

[Taylor Costa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved The land remembered and the river is home, so of course i had to read this. I still love his style of writing and the attention to nature. would've been a 5 star but it was a little short and rushed i felt like. I wish there was more details and repercussions at the end to the people clearing land.

[Jon Molnar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story!

A variation from "A Land Remembered" , but maintains the author's ability to create real characters who will become your friends by the end. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoyed "A Land Remembered" and/or enjoy stories in an "old country" Florida setting.

[Carole Beaubien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are we too late???

I’ve read many, many books about old Florida & I’m a member of Friends of the Everglades. Nothing hurt my heart more than when a particular politician proposed to use our national parks to build golf courses & other frivolity…until I read Mr. Patrick D. Smith’s book. We MUST preserve the only parts of old Florida left for us to enjoy.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful story. A combination of "Where the Crawdads Sing" and "The Education of Little Tree." The story of an old Indian set in the ways of his people (Seminole) and his clash with big industry who destroy his home area with no reason other than to expand for profit. Told in a very simple, calm way. Made me feel at peace....even when I was upset with the white man's expansion.

[JulieP · Rating 2 out of 5]

FB&S January 2018 Selection.

To be fair to the novel it bears mentioning that it was written 45 years ago and seems to be tethered to a young audience. Forever Island is the story of a Seminole Indian and the encroachment of civilization into the Everglades. Good history. Lame read.

[Kristiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating story of an old Seminole’s life and struggle in the swamps of Florida’s Everglades, told with such simplicity and gravity.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story recommended by a friend. It is a story about the Seminole Indians and development in southern Florida.

[Judi Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all of Patrick Smith's book's I really enjoy his stories of old Florida. Would recommend this book.

[Craig Schlossin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very predictable plot, tired story, some places are worth saving but you also need progress and sharing places.

[Ken Cartisano · Rating 5 out of 5]

It describes Florida natives very well. From the alligators, to the Seminoles, to the contractors, the realtors, the local guides. This book is more historical than fictional. It's worth a read.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm reminded of a verse from a poem by Tennyson: "The old order changeth, yielding place to new..." A heartfelt tale of old Florida, old traditions, and change, while not always welcome...inevitable.

[Mixon Trammell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting look into the sad decline of Florida's natural environment.

[Danny Guynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick D Smith does it again. Though not as good as A Land Remembered, it is a great story nonetheless up there with Angel City.

[Kate Baldwin Meador · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book wrecked me. I will be thinking about it for a long time to come. It was basically the Ferngully of Florida Everglades.

[Navem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading this authors books about early Florida.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very moving!

[Rebecca Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Florida History book!

[Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as Smith's "A land remembered," but a great quick read.

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

RDC-M V 3 1974, 11/74. Charlie Jumper, a Seminole Indian, who clings to the ancient ways and teaches them to his grandson. Okay.

[Randy Blough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting story about Seminole trying to protect traditional lands against developers