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The Golden Isle
Which will it be Dr. Stone? A slave's fingers at your throat or me in your arms?The servants were gone - dismissed for the night. Lady Marian lay on the bed in her sumptuous stateroom. She had summoned young Dr. Michael Stone imperiously, sending word that she was indisposed. That Lady Marian was not ill was immediately apparent to the doctor. She had sent for him to test his will against hers...Michael never forgot this first turbulent meeting. Long afterward, even after he had married sweet, gentle Dimity he would dream of Marian with desire and longing and yearn for the son he knew was his and her husband's...Here is a story of fire and romance, excitement and sudden danger set in the exotic Florida of two hundred years ago.
- GenresRomance
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1947
29 people want to read
About the author
Frank G. Slaughter
429 books80 followersFrank Gill Slaughter , pen-name Frank G. Slaughter, pseudonym C.V. Terry, was an American novelist and physician whose books sold more than 60 million copies. His novels drew on his own experience as a doctor and his interest in history and the Bible. Through his novels, he often introduced readers to new findings in medical research and new medical technologies.
Slaughter was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Stephen Lucious Slaughter and Sarah "Sallie" Nicholson Gill. When he was about five years old, his family moved to a farm near Berea, North Carolina, which is west of Oxford, North Carolina. He earned a bachelor's degree from Trinity College (now Duke University) at 17 and went to medical school at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He began writing fiction in 1935 while a physician at Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.
Books by Slaughter include The Purple Quest, Surgeon, U.S.A., Epidemic! , Tomorrow's Miracle and The Scarlet Cord. Slaughter died May 17, 2001 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Slaughter was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Stephen Lucious Slaughter and Sarah "Sallie" Nicholson Gill. When he was about five years old, his family moved to a farm near Berea, North Carolina, which is west of Oxford, North Carolina. He earned a bachelor's degree from Trinity College (now Duke University) at 17 and went to medical school at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He began writing fiction in 1935 while a physician at Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.
Books by Slaughter include The Purple Quest, Surgeon, U.S.A., Epidemic! , Tomorrow's Miracle and The Scarlet Cord. Slaughter died May 17, 2001 in Jacksonville, Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 5, 2021
Again Slaughter wraps in an enormous amount of Florida history into a tale that links well known events in our state's history. His inclusion of, the with legend, Felippa (As he spells it), is quite nifty. A typical problem with Slaughter's writings stands out here than in other books.
First, his tale starts with no clear direction, but with writing that kept me in wonder of the direction the next 5/6ths will go. Even as the tale seems to settle in direction, Slaughter's crafty writing had me guessing. Throughout the book, the ending is very unclear. This kept the pages turning. The continuous upheavals in the tale helped, too.
Slaughter's writing of the natural areas of Florida may be the best written in fiction. He captures so mush with words that so well illustrates the areas. Slaughter also does an excellent job writing of the over all settings. Structures of all shapes and sizes. I marvel at his inclusion of so much history and accuracy.
This is one book, though, that the writing appears more over done than other books. The linear writing could've used more editing of Slaughter's fine writing. The writing is great, but the story telling loses it's pace as Slaughter gives little breathing room of time and so much going on. As much as I like his writing, less of it would've made a stronger story.
His writing of the characters, fictional and non-fictional are excellent. Though, as usual, the main doctor character is about the same as in his other books. Also, as he tries to stuff as much actual history in as possible, he relies too much on the characters speaking the history. For example, one character that assists the main character is supposedly rather uneducated, but suddenly espouses more knowledge than he could have.
Today, a book like this would be turned into a series of 3 or 4 books...Of course, it couldn't be published today due to the censorship that is the code of the current book world.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 7 out of ten points.
First, his tale starts with no clear direction, but with writing that kept me in wonder of the direction the next 5/6ths will go. Even as the tale seems to settle in direction, Slaughter's crafty writing had me guessing. Throughout the book, the ending is very unclear. This kept the pages turning. The continuous upheavals in the tale helped, too.
Slaughter's writing of the natural areas of Florida may be the best written in fiction. He captures so mush with words that so well illustrates the areas. Slaughter also does an excellent job writing of the over all settings. Structures of all shapes and sizes. I marvel at his inclusion of so much history and accuracy.
This is one book, though, that the writing appears more over done than other books. The linear writing could've used more editing of Slaughter's fine writing. The writing is great, but the story telling loses it's pace as Slaughter gives little breathing room of time and so much going on. As much as I like his writing, less of it would've made a stronger story.
His writing of the characters, fictional and non-fictional are excellent. Though, as usual, the main doctor character is about the same as in his other books. Also, as he tries to stuff as much actual history in as possible, he relies too much on the characters speaking the history. For example, one character that assists the main character is supposedly rather uneducated, but suddenly espouses more knowledge than he could have.
Today, a book like this would be turned into a series of 3 or 4 books...Of course, it couldn't be published today due to the censorship that is the code of the current book world.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 7 out of ten points.
November 1, 2015
Dr. Michael Stone has refused a lucrative offer as a slave ship doctor only to find himself kidnapped and floating across the Atlantic Ocean like the stock in the hold beneath him. Although paid for his work, he is made aware that his presence there is negligible to the crew and one wrong step could send him overboard with a bullet in his chest. Dr. Stone makes the best of his situation by realizing he may be the only hope the poor, confined souls below deck might have. In his efforts to create as comfortable and healthy a living environment for the voyage as possible, he, in turn, ensures more slaves survive it; much to the delight of his boss.
After a few years at sea, Dr. Stone finally takes measures into his own hands and releases himself from the bondage of his contract with the slave company - a night which ends with a bang! But it isn't until he reaches the shores of Florida that things begin to really heat up.
As a lover of all things history and adventure, this second-hand-store-find was a lucky strike! Frank G. Slaughter spares no details on the nitty gritty of the slave trade and its consequences. His leading character is noble in nature and progressive in his methods, the author himself being a physician and well versed in the medical world.
In retrospect of the times, I am delighted to see that the author was able to walk the fine line of staying true to the mentality of the slave trade and the era it occupied and the slowly declining racism of 1947 when the book was published. This is a poignant piece of this story - the language, hostility, and honesty shows us just how the African-American race was described through the eyes of a white male in the late 1700's as well as a more modern scope without apology. I will admit that while reading some descriptions and brutal depictions of rape or abuse I felt pangs of the heart. Fiction is best when you realize it must not be far off the mark to what the world truly was like a short few hundred years ago.
The storyline as a whole is enthralling. As a reader you find yourself invested in the happiness and success of Dr. Stone and the characters around him while at the same time rooting for power to be given back to a people.
I highly recommend this sharp glance into a dark time of the modern world. Not only will the story stay with you long after you read it, but the content itself will touch the reality of slavery deeper than any history book ever could.
After a few years at sea, Dr. Stone finally takes measures into his own hands and releases himself from the bondage of his contract with the slave company - a night which ends with a bang! But it isn't until he reaches the shores of Florida that things begin to really heat up.
As a lover of all things history and adventure, this second-hand-store-find was a lucky strike! Frank G. Slaughter spares no details on the nitty gritty of the slave trade and its consequences. His leading character is noble in nature and progressive in his methods, the author himself being a physician and well versed in the medical world.
In retrospect of the times, I am delighted to see that the author was able to walk the fine line of staying true to the mentality of the slave trade and the era it occupied and the slowly declining racism of 1947 when the book was published. This is a poignant piece of this story - the language, hostility, and honesty shows us just how the African-American race was described through the eyes of a white male in the late 1700's as well as a more modern scope without apology. I will admit that while reading some descriptions and brutal depictions of rape or abuse I felt pangs of the heart. Fiction is best when you realize it must not be far off the mark to what the world truly was like a short few hundred years ago.
The storyline as a whole is enthralling. As a reader you find yourself invested in the happiness and success of Dr. Stone and the characters around him while at the same time rooting for power to be given back to a people.
I highly recommend this sharp glance into a dark time of the modern world. Not only will the story stay with you long after you read it, but the content itself will touch the reality of slavery deeper than any history book ever could.
March 18, 2013
I enjoyed reading this book, which is why it's something of a mystery it took me nearly 3 years to finish reading it. Usually, if I enjoy a book, I will tear through it in a week or two, or even only days. The Golden Isle is somewhat melodramatic but the characters are richly drawn by Slaughter. In attempting to connect the historical dots of Northeast Florida (Fernandina Beach, Cowford/Jacksonville, and St. Augustine), he somewhat undercuts his main character's motivations. Dr. Stone also seems undergo a transformation for no reason, starting out as a carefree, cosmopolitan and ending up with a lot of Catholic guilt about his adultery with Marian while married to Dimitry. The ending is also a bit too tidy in tying up all of the loose ends for the hero of the story whereby he gets everything he wants and doesn't have to feel guilty about it. Not sure if it's entirely believable. All I can say is I want to meet these women. I recommend it, don't expect too much and you'll enjoy it.
April 27, 2009
Combination of a bad Hemingway impression with low grade romance novel.
June 13, 2016
A very intriguing story about a ship doctor in the Floridas during the early 1800s. Would definitely recommend this to other people, if they have the patience to read it all.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews