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The Islanders
One girl.
Three boys.
Beautiful, rich, selfish Beth Atkinson is the undisputed queen of her new school and she won’t give that up just to be someone’s girlfriend. Her loyal friend Milo and the intense head boy Edward both try to change her mind, but it’s only when she meets gorgeous, charming Zack that she finally twigs what all the fuss is about.
She’s in so deep with Zack, she can’t see until it’s too late that her careless choices affect everyone around her, wrecking the lives of her friends and propelling them all towards tragedy.
Three boys.
Beautiful, rich, selfish Beth Atkinson is the undisputed queen of her new school and she won’t give that up just to be someone’s girlfriend. Her loyal friend Milo and the intense head boy Edward both try to change her mind, but it’s only when she meets gorgeous, charming Zack that she finally twigs what all the fuss is about.
She’s in so deep with Zack, she can’t see until it’s too late that her careless choices affect everyone around her, wrecking the lives of her friends and propelling them all towards tragedy.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 2019
6 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
F.J. Campbell
3 books16 followersAuthor of ‘No Number Nine’, and ‘The Islanders’. There's some bio info about me on my website www.fjcampbell.net.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 13, 2020
With The Islanders Fiona Campbell had the clever idea of borrowing her setting from Thomas Hardy. All the place names are from Hardy’s fictional Wessex, which of course have counterparts in real English geography well-catalogued for over a century. The school is called Weatherbury Hall after a village with strong associations with Hardy – the real name is the unprepossessing Puddletown. Our principal characters are four sixth-form students preparing for A-level exams for university entrance. There’s no exact American equivalent, but something like AP courses. The time is autumn 1989 to summer 1990, when Mrs. Thatcher was prime minister and when mobile phones were uncommon. Our central character is a new sixth-form girl, Beth Atkinson, who finds herself the centre of attention amongst the senior boys. The main rivals for Beth’s affections are Edward Markham the son of a cabinet minister who lives on a country estate, and Zack Smythe, a sophisticated Londoner who has already run up an impressive number of conquests, including Edward’s sister Bonnie. But Beth’s most faithful follower is Milo West, the son of the school groundskeeper. Milo’s mother died of cancer and his father has just killed himself, providing Milo with a very modest inheritance, a cottage next to the school bounds. Thanks to Beth, who has the means to decline a scholarship, Milo also enjoys a sixth-form year.
The idea of the son of a groundskeeper at an expensive school brought to mind Joanne Harris’s Gentlemen and Players but fortunately the flavour The Islanders differs toto caelo. Far from being devoured alive with class envy – like too many characters in school stories – Milo is a model of caring and good sense. There are lots of allusions to ’80s culture: one that amused me as a hockey follower was discussion of pop music. Milo enquires about the song Come On Eileen and is informed – ‘in the sticks, it’s brand new … but in London it’s an oldie.’ It’s still played at every University of Iowa field hockey match three decades later. Unfortunately, Weatherbury’s hockey teams get little attention, but in addition to being captain of the rugby team, Milo also plays goalkeeper for the hockey team. The position is appropriate given Milo’s character and background: not glamorous but the last line of defence against a stronger attacking side. His first ‘save’ is the discovery of Beth’s backstory, involving the identity of her parents, which she is eager to keep from everyone at school
The minor characters, including Tom the headmaster and Beth’s roommate Livvy, are well-drawn in detail. There are villains in the novel, but no monsters, unlike the bullies that populate too many bad school stories (bad doing duty for both school and story). The title seems a trifle misleading though. The students refer to their school as the “Island” because they feel remote from the rest of the world. (In fact till I checked my Hardy geography, I thought they might be on the IOW or Portland bill.) Actually, Beth regularly travels by cab or bus to Melchester (i.e. Salisbury), which is her usual home. There are also parties in London and on the beach in Cornwall. But Campbell did well to catch the insular life of a boarding school, and the feeling of inhabiting a private world where close personal relationships, school sports, theatricals, and exams, are the main events in the entire universe. I think that is one of the reasons that for some of us our school days remain so deeply in our memories, however many years have passed since we left. I can imagine a sequel for The Islanders, but it would be a different book. (I greeted Beth’s choice of university with both shock and applause.) The Islanders is not quite in the class with Patrick Gale’s Friendly Fire – my choice for the best of contemporary school stories – but it is very moving and engaging.
The idea of the son of a groundskeeper at an expensive school brought to mind Joanne Harris’s Gentlemen and Players but fortunately the flavour The Islanders differs toto caelo. Far from being devoured alive with class envy – like too many characters in school stories – Milo is a model of caring and good sense. There are lots of allusions to ’80s culture: one that amused me as a hockey follower was discussion of pop music. Milo enquires about the song Come On Eileen and is informed – ‘in the sticks, it’s brand new … but in London it’s an oldie.’ It’s still played at every University of Iowa field hockey match three decades later. Unfortunately, Weatherbury’s hockey teams get little attention, but in addition to being captain of the rugby team, Milo also plays goalkeeper for the hockey team. The position is appropriate given Milo’s character and background: not glamorous but the last line of defence against a stronger attacking side. His first ‘save’ is the discovery of Beth’s backstory, involving the identity of her parents, which she is eager to keep from everyone at school
The minor characters, including Tom the headmaster and Beth’s roommate Livvy, are well-drawn in detail. There are villains in the novel, but no monsters, unlike the bullies that populate too many bad school stories (bad doing duty for both school and story). The title seems a trifle misleading though. The students refer to their school as the “Island” because they feel remote from the rest of the world. (In fact till I checked my Hardy geography, I thought they might be on the IOW or Portland bill.) Actually, Beth regularly travels by cab or bus to Melchester (i.e. Salisbury), which is her usual home. There are also parties in London and on the beach in Cornwall. But Campbell did well to catch the insular life of a boarding school, and the feeling of inhabiting a private world where close personal relationships, school sports, theatricals, and exams, are the main events in the entire universe. I think that is one of the reasons that for some of us our school days remain so deeply in our memories, however many years have passed since we left. I can imagine a sequel for The Islanders, but it would be a different book. (I greeted Beth’s choice of university with both shock and applause.) The Islanders is not quite in the class with Patrick Gale’s Friendly Fire – my choice for the best of contemporary school stories – but it is very moving and engaging.
June 7, 2019
I must say, The Islanders is the most beautiful independently published book I've ever laid my hands on. The author, FJ Campbell, was kind enough to send me a copy for review, and unwrapping it was such a treat - gorgeous cover art, brilliant production value, hats off to FJ and the Matador Publishing team!
The Islanders is an adaptation of Thomas Hardy's Far From The Madding Crowd, transplanting the story to a British boarding school in the early '90s. It ticked all of my nostalgia boxes, so many shared cultural references of my youth! It's dripping with well-researched detail, beautiful landscapes, and the thrill of teenage romance. And I loved the in-text shout out to Stella Gibbons' Cold Comfort Farm - another very underrated classic! Hopefully this book will prompt a few readers to check it out 😉
I'd describe The Islanders as a British 10 Things I Hate About You - in fact, it'd be perfect for the screen! I'd love to see a film adaptation! - so if that sounds like it's up your alley, make sure you get yourself a copy pronto.
The Islanders is an adaptation of Thomas Hardy's Far From The Madding Crowd, transplanting the story to a British boarding school in the early '90s. It ticked all of my nostalgia boxes, so many shared cultural references of my youth! It's dripping with well-researched detail, beautiful landscapes, and the thrill of teenage romance. And I loved the in-text shout out to Stella Gibbons' Cold Comfort Farm - another very underrated classic! Hopefully this book will prompt a few readers to check it out 😉
I'd describe The Islanders as a British 10 Things I Hate About You - in fact, it'd be perfect for the screen! I'd love to see a film adaptation! - so if that sounds like it's up your alley, make sure you get yourself a copy pronto.
January 2, 2019
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review. While at first I felt some of the characters were a bit cliched and I was worried about the plot, I ended up truly enjoying the story and then couldn't wait to finish the book. Oddly, some of my favorite books are ones where I truly dislike one of the characters - and I found this to be the case with Beth. I found her a bit back & forth...but I guess this is how a "typical" teenager should be.
Like the other book I've read by F.J. Campbell, I love how the author really takes you back to the time period of the novel (recent past) by including songs, movies, etc. that I know are from those times and that I remember myself!
The overall book reminded me a bit of the movie "Circle of Friends" with Minnie Driver and Chris O'Donnell.
Like the other book I've read by F.J. Campbell, I love how the author really takes you back to the time period of the novel (recent past) by including songs, movies, etc. that I know are from those times and that I remember myself!
The overall book reminded me a bit of the movie "Circle of Friends" with Minnie Driver and Chris O'Donnell.
February 8, 2019
I was happy to receive a free copy of this book in return for an honest review, because I'm a fan of F.J. Campbell - I liked the author's other book, No Number Nine.
The Islanders is supposedly for 'Young Adults' but I'm not young and I loved it. It's one of those books that takes you back to your youth and makes a few cultural references to the time (late 80s).
It took a few chapters to hook me, but then I really got stuck in and couldn't put it down.
I like the area it's set - rural Dorset - and the fact that it takes place at a boarding school is also fun.
The characters were well-written: Milo was my favourite, and his best friend Guy was a hoot.
Read this if you want to be transported back to your teenage years - it's a page turner.
The Islanders is supposedly for 'Young Adults' but I'm not young and I loved it. It's one of those books that takes you back to your youth and makes a few cultural references to the time (late 80s).
It took a few chapters to hook me, but then I really got stuck in and couldn't put it down.
I like the area it's set - rural Dorset - and the fact that it takes place at a boarding school is also fun.
The characters were well-written: Milo was my favourite, and his best friend Guy was a hoot.
Read this if you want to be transported back to your teenage years - it's a page turner.
February 8, 2019
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The Islanders is a story set in a remote boarding school in the countryside following the intriguing life of popular Beth as she struggles to see what is in front of her all along.
Having always been fascinated by stories set in boarding schools, I was a big fan of Mallory Towers growing up, I read this book in 2 evenings straight. I was gripped by the story from the first chapter and was desperate to follow its twists and turns to the conclusion.
I loved No Number 9 for its lovable characters and for FJ Campbell’s capable and humorous story telling. This book was no different and is a fantastic read - I would definitely recommend it.
The Islanders is a story set in a remote boarding school in the countryside following the intriguing life of popular Beth as she struggles to see what is in front of her all along.
Having always been fascinated by stories set in boarding schools, I was a big fan of Mallory Towers growing up, I read this book in 2 evenings straight. I was gripped by the story from the first chapter and was desperate to follow its twists and turns to the conclusion.
I loved No Number 9 for its lovable characters and for FJ Campbell’s capable and humorous story telling. This book was no different and is a fantastic read - I would definitely recommend it.
January 30, 2019
I really liked this book. I have a history of enjoying a boarding school book and this is a refreshing take on this setting. It took me a couple of chapters to get into it and then I was hooked. I read it in one sitting and felt that Milo as a character, was the most likeable and funny too! Some of his advice to Beth did remind me of Mr Knightley in Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ and I liked the references to older literature throughout the text. F.J.Campbell is starting to be my favourite author for her depiction of the ‘friend of the female protagonist’ character. Livvy is definitely as heroic as Nadine from ‘No Number Nine’ and deserves a book of her own. I think this book would be a hit with teenagers and those harking back to their teenage years. Roll on book number three!
February 4, 2019
I received a free copy in return for an honest review. I really enjoyed FJ Campbell’s new book ‘The Islanders’, however, I read FJ Campbells previous book and I loved it a bit more, this book made me love FJ Campbells books more. I did find I loved her first book more, although this is still a great read.
I loved the story line - of Beth a boarding school girl who has some rather interesting impacts on three boys sweet Milo, golden boy Edward, and player Zac.
This is perfect read for older teens who love a bit of humour, fun, and romance.
I loved the story line - of Beth a boarding school girl who has some rather interesting impacts on three boys sweet Milo, golden boy Edward, and player Zac.
This is perfect read for older teens who love a bit of humour, fun, and romance.
May 25, 2020
The Islanders is a retelling of Far from the Maddening Crowd set in an English boarding school in the late 1980s. This was probably more of a 3.5 stars for me but overall I enjoyed it. I just finished reading Far from the Maddening Crowd and was interested to see if there were any retellings. This was the only novel I could find that was. Overall, I think the author did a really good job of updating the story to a modern setting. Not an easy thing to do. All of the major elements were there, but there was still enough originality to keep it interesting. There is also some good humor in the story and I laughed out loud a couple times. I felt like the author understood the spirit/intent of Far from the Maddening Crowd as well as just the plot points. The big detractor for me was the writing style. It was very clunky at times with a lot of telling verses showing. It needed some more editing to help with the writing. That’s what made it more of a 3.5 stars for me. Still, overall I found it a fun read.
November 18, 2018
Loosely based on Hardy’s 'Far from the Madding Crowd' but set mainly in a 1980s boarding school, 'The Islanders' shows the impact of beautiful Beth on the lives of three boys: Milo – steady and lovable, Edward – impressive and intense, and Zac – wild and selfish.
This a great read for the older teens. The dialogue is witty, the humour natural and the characters convincingly fleshed out.
This a great read for the older teens. The dialogue is witty, the humour natural and the characters convincingly fleshed out.
January 13, 2019
I surprised myself by really enjoying this book, despite not particularly liking Beth, the main character. It’s not my usual read but there are plenty of strong characters and a great story line. Mallory Towers with a liberal measure of sexual tension so I’m sure it will go down well with older teens/young adults.
October 31, 2021
Really enjoyable book set in the 80’s with a rich cast of characters who you really connect with and care about. Whilst it’s a young adult book it’s a great read for any adult too reminding you of the trials and tribulations of school life. Look forward to reading more books by FJ Campbell :)
April 29, 2024
Such a nice "Comming of age" story!
February 8, 2019
This is a really enjoyable book and is highly recommended. It has a great storyline inspired by Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd. Its sure to be a hit with the Young Adult readers, who shouldn’t be put off by the boarding school setting, because it’s the likeable (and some unlikeable) characters in the book that draw you in and keep the pages turning. I’m really pleased this author has provided us with a second novel, can’t wait to see what’s next!
June 7, 2019
I am a huge fan of FJ Campbell's first book 'No Number Nine' and was very excited to get my hands on her latest 'The Islanders'. FJ did not disappoint! I was extremely fascinated by FJ's description of a boarding school in the 80's. Having gone to a High School in the Midwest of the United States in the same time period, I was amazing how somethings remain the same the world over. Who hasn't had a friend like Beth, unwisely dated a Zach and should have fallen in love with a Milo? FJ cleverly takes the reader back to the 1980's and reminds them of what it was like to be a teenager, to fall in love for the first time and not to mention all the messy bits in-between. It was a fun read and I had a hard time putting it down. I highly recommend this book for teenagers and adults... there is something there for all of us!
October 7, 2019
Pretty good
I’m not the target audience for this story But it’s based in the (late) 80s so I thought I would enjoy it and I did.
Good writing and interesting characters, some more relatable and likable than others. My favorite was Milo and his friend Guy was great fun.
Beth’s impact on, and relationships with, the three very different men was well developed and felt organic. I would recommend and read more by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Kobo Writing Life for a copy in exchange for a review.
I’m not the target audience for this story But it’s based in the (late) 80s so I thought I would enjoy it and I did.
Good writing and interesting characters, some more relatable and likable than others. My favorite was Milo and his friend Guy was great fun.
Beth’s impact on, and relationships with, the three very different men was well developed and felt organic. I would recommend and read more by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Kobo Writing Life for a copy in exchange for a review.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews