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Το Νησί Της Μαρίας
Μια μοναδική και συναρπαστική ιστορία για την αγάπη και τον αποχωρισμό.
Με λένε Μαρία Πετράκη.
Κι αυτή είναι η ιστορία της ζωής μου.
Εμπνευσμένη από το παγκόσμιο μπεστ σέλερ Το Νησί και προσαρμοσμένη για τα παιδιά, η συγκινητική ιστορία της Μαρίας για το πώς η ζωή της συνδέθηκε με τη Σπιναλόγκα, ένα μικρό νησί κοντά στην Κρήτη, είναι ένας ύμνος στη φιλία και στην οικογένεια, στην ελπίδα και στην αγάπη. Πάνω απ’ όλα, όμως, είναι μια ιστορία επίκαιρη όσο ποτέ.
Με λένε Μαρία Πετράκη.
Κι αυτή είναι η ιστορία της ζωής μου.
Εμπνευσμένη από το παγκόσμιο μπεστ σέλερ Το Νησί και προσαρμοσμένη για τα παιδιά, η συγκινητική ιστορία της Μαρίας για το πώς η ζωή της συνδέθηκε με τη Σπιναλόγκα, ένα μικρό νησί κοντά στην Κρήτη, είναι ένας ύμνος στη φιλία και στην οικογένεια, στην ελπίδα και στην αγάπη. Πάνω απ’ όλα, όμως, είναι μια ιστορία επίκαιρη όσο ποτέ.
136 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2021
97 people are currently reading
398 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Hislop
65 books2,110 followersVictoria Hislop read English at Oxford, and worked in publishing, PR and as a journalist before becoming a novelist. She is married with two children.
Her first novel, The Island, held the number one slot in the Sunday Times paperback charts for eight consecutive weeks and has sold over two million copies worldwide. Victoria was the Newcomer of the Year at the Galaxy British Book Awards 2007 and won the Richard & Judy Summer Read competition.
Her second novel, The Return, was also a Sunday Times number one bestseller, and her books have been translated into more than twenty languages. A short story collection, One Cretan Evening, was published in September and both a third novel, The Thread is published in English in October and in Greek in November 2011.
Her first novel, The Island, held the number one slot in the Sunday Times paperback charts for eight consecutive weeks and has sold over two million copies worldwide. Victoria was the Newcomer of the Year at the Galaxy British Book Awards 2007 and won the Richard & Judy Summer Read competition.
Her second novel, The Return, was also a Sunday Times number one bestseller, and her books have been translated into more than twenty languages. A short story collection, One Cretan Evening, was published in September and both a third novel, The Thread is published in English in October and in Greek in November 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
May 2, 2022
Δείτε επίσης και στο Chill and read
Είναι αρκετά χρόνια που διάβασα το βιβλίο της Βικτόρια Χίσλοπ με τίτλο «Το Νησί». Πολύ πριν μεταφερθεί στη μικρή οθόνη. Θυμάμαι ακόμα την εντύπωση που μου είχε κάνει και φυσικά θυμάμαι ακόμα την ιστορία του βιβλίου. Τότε δεν είχα ιδέα πως σε ένα νησάκι κοντά στην Ελούντα της Κρήτης, εκεί, λίγο πιο βόρεια από την πόλη του Αγίου Νικολάου, υπήρχε κάποτε μια αποικία λεπρών. Διαβάζοντας τότε το βιβλίο έμαθα περισσότερα για την περιοχή, την ίδια την ασθένεια αλλά και πως είχε επηρεάσει τις ζωές τόσων ανθρώπων, μέχρι να βρεθεί θεραπεία. Όλα αυτά τα βλέπουμε μέσα από τη ζωή της οικογένειας Πετράκη. Στα χνάρια της ίδιας οικογένειας επιστρέφουμε και με αυτό το νέο βιβλίο της κυρίας Χίσλοπ.
Η εγγονή της Μαρίας Πετράκη επισκέπτεται τη γιαγιά της στην Κρήτη. Όταν κάποια στιγμή θα μείνουν οι δυο τους το κορίτσι θα ανακαλύψει παλιές φωτογραφίες της γιαγιάς και μια λεία ζωγραφισμένη πέτρα. Τότε η γιαγιά Μαρία θα την πάρει και θα ταξιδέψουν μέχρι την Πλάκα, το χωριό όπου μεγάλωσε. Κι εκεί, καθισμένες στην πλατεία του χωριού και κοιτάζοντας τη Σπιναλόγκα απέναντι, η γιαγιά Μαρία θα μιλήσει στην εγγονή της για την οικογένειά της και τα δύσκολα χρόνια που πέρασε σαν παιδί.
Τα παιδικά της χρόνια δεν ήταν δύσκολα γιατί ήταν φτωχοί και τα έβγαζαν πέρα δύσκολα. Η μητέρα της η Ελένη ήταν δασκάλα άλλωστε και ο πατέρας της ψάρευε με τη βάρκα του. Η Μαρία είχε μια μεγαλύτερη αδερφή την Άννα, και έναν πολύ καλό φίλο, τον Δημήτρη. Όμως η λέπρα αποφάσισε να επισκεφτεί την Πλάκα και να πάρει μακριά της στην αρχή το φίλο της και σύντομα και τη μητέρα της. Μπορεί να ήταν μόνο στο νησί απέναντι και να μπορούσε να διακρίνει τις φιγούρες τους, όμως δεν τους είχε κοντά.
Το βιβλίο, τόσο αυτό, όσο και «Το Νησί» μιλούν για πολλά πράγματα. Για μια ανίατη ασθένεια, για το στίγμα, την απώλεια, το ανθρώπινο θάρρος και την ελπίδα για θεραπεία και μια κανονική ζωή. Όλα αυτά είναι ζητήματα που η συγγραφές χειρίζεται με εξαιρετικό τρόπο και στα δύο βιβλία και χαίρομαι που τα έχω διαβάσει και τα δύο. Διαβάζοντας «Το Νησί της Μαρίας» έρχονταν στο μυαλό μου όλες οι εικόνες που είχα δημιουργήσει από την πρώτη εκείνη ανάγνωση, όλα τα συναισθήματα που νόμιζα ότι δε θα αισθανόμουν ξανά για την ίδια ιστορία. Όμως, παρόλο που έχουν περάσει τόσα χρόνια, η ανάγνωση αυτής την έκδοσης της ιστορίας για παιδιά, πυροδότησε και πάλι μέσα μου τα ίδια συναισθήματα. Κι αυτό νομίζω είναι ένα κερδισμένο στοίχημα για τη συγγραφέα.
Η Βικτόρια Χίσλοπ είναι μια συγγραφέας που λατρεύει την Ελλάδα. Έχει περάσει απίστευτα πολύ χρόνο στην Κρήτη και στην Ελλάδα γενικότερα, έχει μάθει να μιλάει Ελληνικά και αγαπάει τους Έλληνες. Σε μια από τις επισκέψεις της στο νησί, ένα μεσημέρι κάτω από τη σκιά ενός πλατάνου βρέθηκε να μιλάει με μια δασκάλα. Εκείνη της είπε πόσο θα ήθελε να διαβάσει το βιβλίο «Το Νησί» στην τάξη της, αφού περιέχει πολλά θέματα που αφορούν τα παιδιά. Δε θα μπορούσε όμως να το κάνει γιατί ήταν γραμμένο για ενήλικες. Αυτή ήταν και η αφορμή για τη συγγραφέα να προσαρμόσει την ιστορία της για παιδιά. Με την εκπληκτική εικονογράφηση της Τζιλ Σμιθ που έχει συλλάβει και μεταφέρει στις σελίδες του τις ομορφιές της Κρήτης καταφέραμε να έχουμε πλέον στα χέρια μας ένα βιβλίο που μπορεί να μάθει πολλά πράγματα στα παιδιά μας!
Κατάλληλο για παιδιά από 10 ετών.
Είναι αρκετά χρόνια που διάβασα το βιβλίο της Βικτόρια Χίσλοπ με τίτλο «Το Νησί». Πολύ πριν μεταφερθεί στη μικρή οθόνη. Θυμάμαι ακόμα την εντύπωση που μου είχε κάνει και φυσικά θυμάμαι ακόμα την ιστορία του βιβλίου. Τότε δεν είχα ιδέα πως σε ένα νησάκι κοντά στην Ελούντα της Κρήτης, εκεί, λίγο πιο βόρεια από την πόλη του Αγίου Νικολάου, υπήρχε κάποτε μια αποικία λεπρών. Διαβάζοντας τότε το βιβλίο έμαθα περισσότερα για την περιοχή, την ίδια την ασθένεια αλλά και πως είχε επηρεάσει τις ζωές τόσων ανθρώπων, μέχρι να βρεθεί θεραπεία. Όλα αυτά τα βλέπουμε μέσα από τη ζωή της οικογένειας Πετράκη. Στα χνάρια της ίδιας οικογένειας επιστρέφουμε και με αυτό το νέο βιβλίο της κυρίας Χίσλοπ.
Η εγγονή της Μαρίας Πετράκη επισκέπτεται τη γιαγιά της στην Κρήτη. Όταν κάποια στιγμή θα μείνουν οι δυο τους το κορίτσι θα ανακαλύψει παλιές φωτογραφίες της γιαγιάς και μια λεία ζωγραφισμένη πέτρα. Τότε η γιαγιά Μαρία θα την πάρει και θα ταξιδέψουν μέχρι την Πλάκα, το χωριό όπου μεγάλωσε. Κι εκεί, καθισμένες στην πλατεία του χωριού και κοιτάζοντας τη Σπιναλόγκα απέναντι, η γιαγιά Μαρία θα μιλήσει στην εγγονή της για την οικογένειά της και τα δύσκολα χρόνια που πέρασε σαν παιδί.
Τα παιδικά της χρόνια δεν ήταν δύσκολα γιατί ήταν φτωχοί και τα έβγαζαν πέρα δύσκολα. Η μητέρα της η Ελένη ήταν δασκάλα άλλωστε και ο πατέρας της ψάρευε με τη βάρκα του. Η Μαρία είχε μια μεγαλύτερη αδερφή την Άννα, και έναν πολύ καλό φίλο, τον Δημήτρη. Όμως η λέπρα αποφάσισε να επισκεφτεί την Πλάκα και να πάρει μακριά της στην αρχή το φίλο της και σύντομα και τη μητέρα της. Μπορεί να ήταν μόνο στο νησί απέναντι και να μπορούσε να διακρίνει τις φιγούρες τους, όμως δεν τους είχε κοντά.
Το βιβλίο, τόσο αυτό, όσο και «Το Νησί» μιλούν για πολλά πράγματα. Για μια ανίατη ασθένεια, για το στίγμα, την απώλεια, το ανθρώπινο θάρρος και την ελπίδα για θεραπεία και μια κανονική ζωή. Όλα αυτά είναι ζητήματα που η συγγραφές χειρίζεται με εξαιρετικό τρόπο και στα δύο βιβλία και χαίρομαι που τα έχω διαβάσει και τα δύο. Διαβάζοντας «Το Νησί της Μαρίας» έρχονταν στο μυαλό μου όλες οι εικόνες που είχα δημιουργήσει από την πρώτη εκείνη ανάγνωση, όλα τα συναισθήματα που νόμιζα ότι δε θα αισθανόμουν ξανά για την ίδια ιστορία. Όμως, παρόλο που έχουν περάσει τόσα χρόνια, η ανάγνωση αυτής την έκδοσης της ιστορίας για παιδιά, πυροδότησε και πάλι μέσα μου τα ίδια συναισθήματα. Κι αυτό νομίζω είναι ένα κερδισμένο στοίχημα για τη συγγραφέα.
Η Βικτόρια Χίσλοπ είναι μια συγγραφέας που λατρεύει την Ελλάδα. Έχει περάσει απίστευτα πολύ χρόνο στην Κρήτη και στην Ελλάδα γενικότερα, έχει μάθει να μιλάει Ελληνικά και αγαπάει τους Έλληνες. Σε μια από τις επισκέψεις της στο νησί, ένα μεσημέρι κάτω από τη σκιά ενός πλατάνου βρέθηκε να μιλάει με μια δασκάλα. Εκείνη της είπε πόσο θα ήθελε να διαβάσει το βιβλίο «Το Νησί» στην τάξη της, αφού περιέχει πολλά θέματα που αφορούν τα παιδιά. Δε θα μπορούσε όμως να το κάνει γιατί ήταν γραμμένο για ενήλικες. Αυτή ήταν και η αφορμή για τη συγγραφέα να προσαρμόσει την ιστορία της για παιδιά. Με την εκπληκτική εικονογράφηση της Τζιλ Σμιθ που έχει συλλάβει και μεταφέρει στις σελίδες του τις ομορφιές της Κρήτης καταφέραμε να έχουμε πλέον στα χέρια μας ένα βιβλίο που μπορεί να μάθει πολλά πράγματα στα παιδιά μας!
Κατάλληλο για παιδιά από 10 ετών.
July 6, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Maria’s Island is a beautiful, engaging, and poignant book set on the Greek Island of Crete and the now uninhabited neighbouring island, Spinalonga.
The story features a young girl called Rita who is visiting her γιαγιά (Grandmother) called Maria who lives in Crete. Her Grandmother tells her about the place she grew up in and offers to take Rita there one afternoon. When they arrive in the small village of Plaka Maria tells Rita all about her life living there and on the island of Spinalonga.
Maria shares with Rita the story of how a bacteria illness called Leprosy had such a devastating effect on the community. How it tore families apart and how because it was contagious the Greek government decided that anyone who had the illness, whether they were an adult or a child had to move to Spinalonga to live out their years.
This is a tale that will stay with me for a long time. It was extremely touching and opened my eyes to an illness that has been around for generations and that only through modern medicine can people be treated and cured of it. I’d also never heard of Spinalonga, if you get the chance Google it and see the buildings that still stand today where people had to live and die.
The storyline is heart-warming and heart-breaking at the same time, but it is so worth the read. You could feel all the raw emotions that Maria and those around her felt.
There are vivid elegant illustrations throughout that capture the heart of the story and the life of the people in Crete and Spinalonga. I can’t emphasise enough how absorbing and powerful this book is. I haven’t read Victoria Hislop’s adult book The Island, but I will be ordering a copy today as this book was inspired by The Island and retold for children.
Maria’s Island is a beautiful, engaging, and poignant book set on the Greek Island of Crete and the now uninhabited neighbouring island, Spinalonga.
The story features a young girl called Rita who is visiting her γιαγιά (Grandmother) called Maria who lives in Crete. Her Grandmother tells her about the place she grew up in and offers to take Rita there one afternoon. When they arrive in the small village of Plaka Maria tells Rita all about her life living there and on the island of Spinalonga.
Maria shares with Rita the story of how a bacteria illness called Leprosy had such a devastating effect on the community. How it tore families apart and how because it was contagious the Greek government decided that anyone who had the illness, whether they were an adult or a child had to move to Spinalonga to live out their years.
This is a tale that will stay with me for a long time. It was extremely touching and opened my eyes to an illness that has been around for generations and that only through modern medicine can people be treated and cured of it. I’d also never heard of Spinalonga, if you get the chance Google it and see the buildings that still stand today where people had to live and die.
The storyline is heart-warming and heart-breaking at the same time, but it is so worth the read. You could feel all the raw emotions that Maria and those around her felt.
There are vivid elegant illustrations throughout that capture the heart of the story and the life of the people in Crete and Spinalonga. I can’t emphasise enough how absorbing and powerful this book is. I haven’t read Victoria Hislop’s adult book The Island, but I will be ordering a copy today as this book was inspired by The Island and retold for children.
May 17, 2022
Poignant but beautifully written children's story set on the Greek island of Crete about a family who face being stigmatised and excluded from society because some members suffered from leprosy. Highly Recommended.
February 22, 2023
Ένα εξαιρετικό παιδικό βιβλίο με υπέροχη εικονογράφηση και πολλά μηνύματα.
Η συγγραφέας μέσω της ιστορίας της Μαρίας, προσεγγίζει το θέμα της αρρώστιας και της απομόνωσης με ευαισθησία και με τρόπο διδακτικό, μεταφέρει τα παιδιά σε μια άλλη εποχή εξηγώντας πολλά δύσκολα θέματα με απλό και κατανοητό λόγο, όπως τον φόβο που επικρατούσε για την λέπρα που δεν θεραπεύονταν, τι ήταν και ποια τα συμπτώματα της, την απομόνωση των αρρώστων και την ζωή τους στο νησί Σπιναλόγκα μακριά από τους δικούς τους αλλά και το στίγμα που ακολουθούσε τις οικογένειες τους.
Όμως η ουσία είναι στην ελπίδα και την αγάπη γι’ αυτό επικεντρώνεται περισσότερο σε αυτά τα συναισθήματα και τις ανθρώπινες σχέσεις (οικογένεια, φιλία).
Ένα πολύ όμορφο και συγκινητικό βιβλίο για παιδιά από 10 ετών και πάνω .
Αν και δεν έχω διαβάσει ακόμα το βιβλίο Το νησί, η συγκεκριμένη παιδική εκδοχή του, μου άρεσε και με άγγιξε και τη προτείνω σε μικρούς αλλά και μεγάλους
Η συγγραφέας μέσω της ιστορίας της Μαρίας, προσεγγίζει το θέμα της αρρώστιας και της απομόνωσης με ευαισθησία και με τρόπο διδακτικό, μεταφέρει τα παιδιά σε μια άλλη εποχή εξηγώντας πολλά δύσκολα θέματα με απλό και κατανοητό λόγο, όπως τον φόβο που επικρατούσε για την λέπρα που δεν θεραπεύονταν, τι ήταν και ποια τα συμπτώματα της, την απομόνωση των αρρώστων και την ζωή τους στο νησί Σπιναλόγκα μακριά από τους δικούς τους αλλά και το στίγμα που ακολουθούσε τις οικογένειες τους.
Όμως η ουσία είναι στην ελπίδα και την αγάπη γι’ αυτό επικεντρώνεται περισσότερο σε αυτά τα συναισθήματα και τις ανθρώπινες σχέσεις (οικογένεια, φιλία).
Ένα πολύ όμορφο και συγκινητικό βιβλίο για παιδιά από 10 ετών και πάνω .
Αν και δεν έχω διαβάσει ακόμα το βιβλίο Το νησί, η συγκεκριμένη παιδική εκδοχή του, μου άρεσε και με άγγιξε και τη προτείνω σε μικρούς αλλά και μεγάλους
August 5, 2021
This book contains beautiful illustrations and the story itself is quite short. I finished reading in 1 hour, not even.
Maria’s Island is a book that talks about leprosy. I myself have never read a book with this theme. If you expect a deep story and detailed understanding about leprosy, you won’t get it from this book. Because this is a children book and it meant to introduce leprosy to them.
I personally really enjoy Maria’s Island very much. The author is very clever writing about leprosy in a gentle way and easy for kids to understand. I also love how the family and friendship is portrayed in this book :)
Maria’s Island is a book that talks about leprosy. I myself have never read a book with this theme. If you expect a deep story and detailed understanding about leprosy, you won’t get it from this book. Because this is a children book and it meant to introduce leprosy to them.
I personally really enjoy Maria’s Island very much. The author is very clever writing about leprosy in a gentle way and easy for kids to understand. I also love how the family and friendship is portrayed in this book :)
June 6, 2021
Great read
I read this book in an hour. Even though it’s a book for children as an adult I totally enjoyed it too. Beautiful story. I love all Victoria Hislops books. Well written.
I read this book in an hour. Even though it’s a book for children as an adult I totally enjoyed it too. Beautiful story. I love all Victoria Hislops books. Well written.
December 11, 2021
I’ll be honest I loved most of this story but I didn’t really love the ‘modern day’ parts where Maria, as a grandmother, was sharing her story with her granddaughter. I can see how this will help children get into the story and understand the timings of the events but for me it was bookended around the ‘real’ story and didn’t add to it. But once I was in the world of young Maria I became so emotionally involved and I cried as I read parts - the writing is beautifully and encompassing. The illustrations by Gill Smith throughout are beautiful depictions of the world and characters and I think will help children to step further into the story and bring to life the whole thing - they are truly breath-taking and I really want to see more chapter books in this style
April 8, 2021
What a wonderful story for children. Very well done historical fiction for ages 6-9 and maybe older for non native speakers. In fact a great book for non native speakers. I love the strong female heroines in this book, in fact I love so many aspects about it. Oh, I didn’t mention the illustrations...I LOVE those too, the colours are exquisite!
February 3, 2023
Oh my. Read this in an hour (a book that needed returned to library) such a beautiful story that touched me deeply. Beautifully written and beautiful illustrations throughout. This is such a lovely children's story which touches on the subject of Leprosy in such a gentle way for children. A huge 5 stars from me 💕
December 13, 2025
3 stars.
[Content warnings: leprosy (and subsequent isolation/quarantining); loss of family members. Nothing in this review].
This was pretty middle of the road for me. It taught me a surprising amount about a piece of history which I know nothing about, so that was really welcome. And Victoria Hislop does well to introduce the topic in a gentle way for younger readers, and from the perspective of someone young but very personally impacted by the themes.
Shout out to Gill Smith for really special illustrations which brought the settings to life in particular. And the format and design of the book is so suited to the story so that was lovely.
I wasn't too sold on the framing narrative in the book, which first introduces Maria as a grandmother before we're taken back in time to her childhood experience. I guess I understand why it was chosen, and it is probably more helpful to the young intended audience of Maria's Island, but I think I would have preferred the full focus to remain on Maria as a child, especially at the beginning.
[Content warnings: leprosy (and subsequent isolation/quarantining); loss of family members. Nothing in this review].
This was pretty middle of the road for me. It taught me a surprising amount about a piece of history which I know nothing about, so that was really welcome. And Victoria Hislop does well to introduce the topic in a gentle way for younger readers, and from the perspective of someone young but very personally impacted by the themes.
Shout out to Gill Smith for really special illustrations which brought the settings to life in particular. And the format and design of the book is so suited to the story so that was lovely.
I wasn't too sold on the framing narrative in the book, which first introduces Maria as a grandmother before we're taken back in time to her childhood experience. I guess I understand why it was chosen, and it is probably more helpful to the young intended audience of Maria's Island, but I think I would have preferred the full focus to remain on Maria as a child, especially at the beginning.
January 27, 2024
Set in Crete, a child asks her grandmother for stories from her childhood and winds up hearing about how their village was affected by some contracting leprosy. There was an island off the coast of their village that houses those with leprosy but they were still separated from family forever. Also included are the most gorgeous watercolor pictures of the village and memories that made me want to run off and move to Crete tomorrow. A very different, yet very special, short chapter book.
June 27, 2021
Meant for younger readers but I read it myself and enjoyed it as a quick read.
Read
January 7, 2022One of my old favorites rewritten for children, nice to remember the story without having to reread the whole book
December 15, 2022
3.5-4 stars
Kind of sad but really, really lovely. Only marked down because I wasn't in a reading mood and so I don't think I enjoyed it as much as I could have.
Kind of sad but really, really lovely. Only marked down because I wasn't in a reading mood and so I don't think I enjoyed it as much as I could have.
July 18, 2024
Me ha dejado completamente destrozada.
January 31, 2024
Aún sigo llorando
March 13, 2023
A lovely story and sad too really enjoyed it the villagers being so scared and how it affected nearly every family in nearby villages and all over Greece and all over the world and the brave people who were guinea pigs with out whos help a cure wouldn't be found worth a read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2021
I haven't read The Island, and judging at how much I cried at this children's version, I think I'm unlikely to. Framed as a story from a grandmother, who was there, to her curious granddaughter, this tells the story over some decades of Greece's leper colony, an island called Spinalonga. Any Greek found to have the then-deadly disease was sent to the island, where they lived as normally as possible until they died. No one ever left it, until the forties or fifties when effective treatments were introduced.
The story is written simply enough for children to follow and understand. The words are lovely, but the standout element here is the illustration, and I don't think Victoria will object to me saying that. The pictures are beautiful, colourful and full of real warmth and depth. There's a level of detail in them that astounded me.
I really enjoyed the story, too. Maria is a wonderful narrator, and things move at just the right speed. (Shame on the doctor, though, for promising to help and then vanishing without telling anyone anything!) I think kids will enjoy reading this, and it's a piece of history that shouldn't be forgotten.
Beautiful.
The story is written simply enough for children to follow and understand. The words are lovely, but the standout element here is the illustration, and I don't think Victoria will object to me saying that. The pictures are beautiful, colourful and full of real warmth and depth. There's a level of detail in them that astounded me.
I really enjoyed the story, too. Maria is a wonderful narrator, and things move at just the right speed. (Shame on the doctor, though, for promising to help and then vanishing without telling anyone anything!) I think kids will enjoy reading this, and it's a piece of history that shouldn't be forgotten.
Beautiful.
March 11, 2022
Several years ago I read Hislop's, The Island. It was fascinating and stirring but is trumped by this version for children which somehow seems more authentic. Perhaps it is Gill Smith's glowing illustrations that elevates the feeling of really being there. I could smell the briny sparkling waters surrounding the renowned island of Spinalonga, feel the sunshine, smell the Kourabiedes baking...
Still beating with tragedy (it centers around the leper colony existing just off the island of Crete), Maria's Island portrays a part of human history that smarts with stigma, misunderstanding and fear against a background of family love and loyalty with a light and uplifting touch. The hardcover edition (I read) makes a beautiful illustrated historical fiction addition for any child's bookshelf.
Still beating with tragedy (it centers around the leper colony existing just off the island of Crete), Maria's Island portrays a part of human history that smarts with stigma, misunderstanding and fear against a background of family love and loyalty with a light and uplifting touch. The hardcover edition (I read) makes a beautiful illustrated historical fiction addition for any child's bookshelf.
May 24, 2025
A heartwarming story. Very sad, but with a happy ending.
July 27, 2021
My review is on my website. www.bookread2day.wordpress.com
I read this book in hardback with 128 pages .
Maria’s Island by Victoria Hislop is the most highest level of interest for children of 8 years plus. This marvellous book has fabulous creations of illustrations that children with love to study and take in all the details of all the characters.
Although this book is aimed at 8 and overs I absolutely adored it. I have to say that Maria’s Island is my top favourite book by author Victoria Hislop.
With our own emotional times with coronavirus and death, and with now so many having to isolate, this book the story of Maria’s Island is quite an emotional book with Leprosy. Our own doctors and nurses caught coronavirus and died , it’s the same in this story, where not only people were catching it but nurses too caught Leprosy.
If I could have given Maria’s Island by Victoria Hislop more tan 5 stars I would have been very happy to have done so, as I found this book went to the extra mile of being very educational, being part fictional, part true, with history and geography blended throughout this amazing easy read children’s book. I absolutely loved reading and taking in every word. Further more I believe that this book it very suitable for adults like me to have the pleasure in reading.
I would urge all parents and schools to read and discuss about the terrible events that took place in Maria’s Island.
About the story.
Rita lives in London but she half Greek. Every summer she goes with her parents on a long journey by plane and a boat to the island of Crete to visit her yiaya that is Greek for grandma. Crete became part of Greece in 1913.
Rita and her parents stay in Agios Nikolaos in her grandma’s apartment overlooking the the beautiful sea. Her grandma teaches Rita a Cretan dance.
Rita’s mother asks Rita’s grandma if she would come to live in England with them, but it’s far too cold for her in England and she has far too much to look after Crete. Rita doesn’t understand what her grandma has to look after.
Rita wants her grandma to take her on a bus to the village. While they are at the village her grandma points out where she used to live as child with her parents.
It is while they are alone together Rita’s grandma Maria, openly talks about living in Plaka with her parents and family. Maria tells her granddaughter Rita how lots of people including her family were effected by a disease Leprosy. And anyone that became effected by Leprosy was immediately taken away by a boat and sent to an island known as Spinalonga.
Maria’s friend Dimitris who was like a brother to her, he first caught Leprosy, being sent by boat to isolate on the small island Spinalonga. Then her mother caught it and was taken away to the island too. Unfortunately it was long before Maria was sent to Spinalonga. Way back then it was the law that anyone infected with the disease were all sent to Spinalonga to stop the spread of Leprosy.
I found this extremely educational as I knew nothing about Leprosy until I read Maria’s Island by Victoria Hislop.
I loved every single word written inside Maria’s Island and totally adored all the illustrations by Gill Smith. This is a real must buy, must read.
About Leprosy in the 21st century
Leprosy is one of the world’s oldest diseases. It is caused by bacteria that effects the nerves of the hands, feet and face. If left untreated it can cause pain, disfigurement and result in permanent disability. There is now an effective cure, but millions of people around the world are still disabled by the consequences of Leprosy and are subjected to discrimination and social exclusion, like Eleni, Dimitris and Maria in the story. This prejudice also makes people fearful of coming forward for diagnosis.
I read this book in hardback with 128 pages .
Maria’s Island by Victoria Hislop is the most highest level of interest for children of 8 years plus. This marvellous book has fabulous creations of illustrations that children with love to study and take in all the details of all the characters.
Although this book is aimed at 8 and overs I absolutely adored it. I have to say that Maria’s Island is my top favourite book by author Victoria Hislop.
With our own emotional times with coronavirus and death, and with now so many having to isolate, this book the story of Maria’s Island is quite an emotional book with Leprosy. Our own doctors and nurses caught coronavirus and died , it’s the same in this story, where not only people were catching it but nurses too caught Leprosy.
If I could have given Maria’s Island by Victoria Hislop more tan 5 stars I would have been very happy to have done so, as I found this book went to the extra mile of being very educational, being part fictional, part true, with history and geography blended throughout this amazing easy read children’s book. I absolutely loved reading and taking in every word. Further more I believe that this book it very suitable for adults like me to have the pleasure in reading.
I would urge all parents and schools to read and discuss about the terrible events that took place in Maria’s Island.
About the story.
Rita lives in London but she half Greek. Every summer she goes with her parents on a long journey by plane and a boat to the island of Crete to visit her yiaya that is Greek for grandma. Crete became part of Greece in 1913.
Rita and her parents stay in Agios Nikolaos in her grandma’s apartment overlooking the the beautiful sea. Her grandma teaches Rita a Cretan dance.
Rita’s mother asks Rita’s grandma if she would come to live in England with them, but it’s far too cold for her in England and she has far too much to look after Crete. Rita doesn’t understand what her grandma has to look after.
Rita wants her grandma to take her on a bus to the village. While they are at the village her grandma points out where she used to live as child with her parents.
It is while they are alone together Rita’s grandma Maria, openly talks about living in Plaka with her parents and family. Maria tells her granddaughter Rita how lots of people including her family were effected by a disease Leprosy. And anyone that became effected by Leprosy was immediately taken away by a boat and sent to an island known as Spinalonga.
Maria’s friend Dimitris who was like a brother to her, he first caught Leprosy, being sent by boat to isolate on the small island Spinalonga. Then her mother caught it and was taken away to the island too. Unfortunately it was long before Maria was sent to Spinalonga. Way back then it was the law that anyone infected with the disease were all sent to Spinalonga to stop the spread of Leprosy.
I found this extremely educational as I knew nothing about Leprosy until I read Maria’s Island by Victoria Hislop.
I loved every single word written inside Maria’s Island and totally adored all the illustrations by Gill Smith. This is a real must buy, must read.
About Leprosy in the 21st century
Leprosy is one of the world’s oldest diseases. It is caused by bacteria that effects the nerves of the hands, feet and face. If left untreated it can cause pain, disfigurement and result in permanent disability. There is now an effective cure, but millions of people around the world are still disabled by the consequences of Leprosy and are subjected to discrimination and social exclusion, like Eleni, Dimitris and Maria in the story. This prejudice also makes people fearful of coming forward for diagnosis.
December 30, 2021
This is such a lovely and interesting story. Every year Rita and her family go to visit her Yiayia, her grandmother, on the greek island of Crete and stay for a while. One day Rita sees some old photographs and after finding out about them she asks her grandmother whether they could visit the town where her grandmother grew up. While in the old town of Plata, Rita and her grandmother Maria sit down to rest, and Maria ends up explaining all about what happened where she grew up, near the little island of Spinalonga.
After the book initially is narrated by Rita, the narration continues with Maria narrating what life was like when she was young. She explains what it was like to grow up in the town and about the island just off the coast which used to house anyone who got leprosy. As the story continues Maria slowly grows up and we find out more and more about the tale of what happened on that island where everyone was sent if they were found to have the disease. I have to admit to not knowing much about the island of Spinalonga when I first read this book, but it was easy to enjoy this book from the first pages and I was instantly captured by Maria and her tale.
I don’t want to reveal what happens but there are some sad moments when certain characters get leprosy and we end up eventually learning what life was like for them. But throughout those sadder moments are moments of hope and I love how strong and hopeful Maria’s character is despite all that is happening. The ending is good and I like what happens with the build up. I just love what happens in the end to the island and especially to Maria’s individual tale. It’s just an extra magical part to the story and I just love how it ends and how the book overall made me feel like crying happy tears.
The illustrations really make this book more special and more fun to read. I love how some pages have borders of lovely patterns while other pages will have illustrations of the characters and what is happening in the story. There are even some double page images which look amazing and I love how there are some details to spot. Each of the pictures feels so fun and lovely and I love how all of the characters look. There’s something so lovely about these illustrations, how well they capture the Greek island and I love how in many pages the island and its waters look so inviting despite what is happening in the story. At the end of the book there is more information about leprosy today and about a charity that is helping people in some countries where people still suffer from this disease.
Overall I have really loved this book. From the first pages I just loved the look of the story and it was so easy and compelling to get into from the start. The things that happen within the story were so interesting and this book did make me a little emotional with what was happening and with the good things that happened towards the ending too. The island of Spinalonga and what happened on it was a real event and it’s interesting to learn all about it from the perspective of a character like Maria in this story. It’s definitely a book I’d recommend for children who may want to learn more about the history of this island and more about leprosy itself as well as the positive message the book puts out against the stigma that some people got. It’s also just a really great story and one which I will want to read again!
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy for review.
After the book initially is narrated by Rita, the narration continues with Maria narrating what life was like when she was young. She explains what it was like to grow up in the town and about the island just off the coast which used to house anyone who got leprosy. As the story continues Maria slowly grows up and we find out more and more about the tale of what happened on that island where everyone was sent if they were found to have the disease. I have to admit to not knowing much about the island of Spinalonga when I first read this book, but it was easy to enjoy this book from the first pages and I was instantly captured by Maria and her tale.
I don’t want to reveal what happens but there are some sad moments when certain characters get leprosy and we end up eventually learning what life was like for them. But throughout those sadder moments are moments of hope and I love how strong and hopeful Maria’s character is despite all that is happening. The ending is good and I like what happens with the build up. I just love what happens in the end to the island and especially to Maria’s individual tale. It’s just an extra magical part to the story and I just love how it ends and how the book overall made me feel like crying happy tears.
The illustrations really make this book more special and more fun to read. I love how some pages have borders of lovely patterns while other pages will have illustrations of the characters and what is happening in the story. There are even some double page images which look amazing and I love how there are some details to spot. Each of the pictures feels so fun and lovely and I love how all of the characters look. There’s something so lovely about these illustrations, how well they capture the Greek island and I love how in many pages the island and its waters look so inviting despite what is happening in the story. At the end of the book there is more information about leprosy today and about a charity that is helping people in some countries where people still suffer from this disease.
Overall I have really loved this book. From the first pages I just loved the look of the story and it was so easy and compelling to get into from the start. The things that happen within the story were so interesting and this book did make me a little emotional with what was happening and with the good things that happened towards the ending too. The island of Spinalonga and what happened on it was a real event and it’s interesting to learn all about it from the perspective of a character like Maria in this story. It’s definitely a book I’d recommend for children who may want to learn more about the history of this island and more about leprosy itself as well as the positive message the book puts out against the stigma that some people got. It’s also just a really great story and one which I will want to read again!
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy for review.
June 23, 2023
Maria's Island is an interesting adaptation Hislop's own novel, The Island, beautifully illustrated in bright, pastel pictures in an attempt to bring the story to a young audience. For someone who is fascinated by the way writers and stories reach out to children, I found Maria's Island a brave and worthy attempt. Certainly the book looks the part. It should appeal to those looking to read a thing of beauty and for those tired by the constant tension and action of the majority of popular children's literature. There is, no doubt, still place on children's bookshelves for the masterful, realistic stories of Morpurgo and Ibbotson, despite this type of story always playing a supporting role. It's a shame, because we should trust children with these types of stories - emotional, full of memory, slow-paced, contemplative, tragic, without violent or antagonists. It isn't a story for the faint hearted. A young girl listens to the tale her Greek grandmother tells of her childhood and how she and some of her loved ones contract leprosy and are transported to an island colony to live out their days in quarantine. Maria suffers loss and prejudice but also lives through a time of enormous change and is able to return to the world.
The book is sometimes stiffly told and I wished for a little more daring, a little more detail. It is very sparse but without Morpurgo's punchiness. I felt that, in eagerness to hit the right tone for the chosen audience, the narrative has been dumbed down a little too much. Still, complimented by the gorgeous illustrations, Hislop's moving tale definitely brings the experience and the history to life. It works as a valuable depiction of changing times, a way of showing to young people how the world of merely two generations back was one without the technology and science that we take for granted. You can feel the speed of our past century's advancement, how this awful, misunderstood disease was transformed in a matter of years after hundreds of years of stagnation. I could have taken more but I suppose I'll have to read the original novel for that and also to have a better idea as to whether the adaptation was successful.
The book is sometimes stiffly told and I wished for a little more daring, a little more detail. It is very sparse but without Morpurgo's punchiness. I felt that, in eagerness to hit the right tone for the chosen audience, the narrative has been dumbed down a little too much. Still, complimented by the gorgeous illustrations, Hislop's moving tale definitely brings the experience and the history to life. It works as a valuable depiction of changing times, a way of showing to young people how the world of merely two generations back was one without the technology and science that we take for granted. You can feel the speed of our past century's advancement, how this awful, misunderstood disease was transformed in a matter of years after hundreds of years of stagnation. I could have taken more but I suppose I'll have to read the original novel for that and also to have a better idea as to whether the adaptation was successful.
November 21, 2022
Incontournable Juillet 2022
Voir un album jeunesse naitre d'un roman adulte est toujours une joie, car il peut être accessible aux plus jeunes. Après "La Tresse" ou "Les Glorieuses", me voici sur le cas de "L'Île de Maria", version album jeunesse de "L'Île des oubliés", de Victoria Hislop. L'album est un hybride, plus exactement, car il revêt le texte du roman, amalgamé aux illustrations et au format de l'album jeunesse typique.
Rita visite chaque été sa grand-mère Maria, en Crète ( En Grèce) et en observant des photographies, la jeune demoiselle interroge sa "giagia"( Grand-mère) sur sa famille. Lorsqu'elle évoque Plaka, son village d'enfance , Rita demande si elles peuvent d'y rendre. Une fois sur place, l'aïeule commence un récit, celui de son enfance, où au début du 20e siècle, une maladie commençait à se rependre dans le pays: La lèpre. Source d'inquiétude en raison de son absence de traitement et la nature même de la maladie, une autre composante s'ajoute à l'angoisse d'en être porteur/porteuse: le rejet social. Vu comme une punition divine, une marque d'impureté, les habitants contaminés sont aussitôt envoyé des quatre coins de la Grèce sur l'île de l'autre côté de Plaka, Spilalonga. Mais la quarantaine imposé aux condamnés n'est pas la seule marque de la maladie. Les proches des malades sont aussi évités, comme si la honte frappait ceux qui avait le malheur d'être affiliés à des lépreux. La propre soeur de Maria, Anna, vaniteuse et égocentrique, n'a pas hésité à rompre le contact avec sa mère, puis sa soeur, pour cette raison. Maria voit en effet sa mère rejoindre Spilalonga, lorsqu'une tache insensibilisée est trouvée sur sa nuque, peu de temps après le meilleur ami de Maria, Dimitris. La femme et le jeune garçon quitteront d'ailleurs Plaka ensemble pour cette île qui rassemble les condamnés lépreux, pour qui, hélas, aucuns traitement ne peut les sauver. Mais après plusieurs années de correspondance entre mère et fille, Maria pleure sa mère, décédée des suite de la maladie. Peu de temps après, Maria est infectée à son tour et part pour l'île. Elle retrouve Dimitris, qui est entretemps devenu professeur de l'île et ensemble, se bâtisse une vie, sur cette île étonnamment magnifique et fonctionnelle. Les choses vont changer quand un médecin, non-lépreux, vient sur l'île avec l'intention de trouver une cure pour cette maladie.
Je préçise ne pas avoir lu le roman qui est à l'origine de ce roman-album jeunesse. Cela-dit, l'histoire, même raccourcie et adoucie ( du moins je le présume) demeure pertinente, touchante et bien ficelée. On ne parle que très peu de la maladie dans ses symptômes, en réalité. On mentionne à peine deux ou trois fois que les gens perdent des membres, mais on ne perd pas de temps sur sa "laideur". L'accent est mit sur la famille, sur la correspondance entre deux îles si près et pourtant si loin, entre une petite fille qui cultive l'espoir et sa mère qui cultive la beauté de la vie. Une correspondance qui s'accompagne de dessins et de salutations de la mains et du châle, chaque matin. À travers la maladie, les deux côtés travaillent à garder contact et c'est ce qui est touchant. Alors que les autres gens détournent les yeux de ces malheureux qui ont été contaminés ( et non pas "maudits") Maria refuse cette attitude.
Maria, donc, va se retrouver sur l'île, c'est en quelque sorte le second volet de cette histoire. Optimiste infatigable et scientifique dans l'âme, elle tente de se faire une science par elle-même au moyen de manuels et de magazines scientifiques. Son objectif: trouver un moyen de guérir la maladie. Alors quand M.Kyritsis débarque un beau jour avec la même idée en tête, l'espoir connait un regain. Maria a fait de rigoureuses prises de données, a participer activement aux recherches du médecin et l'aura assisté durant les essais cliniques, en tant qu'assistante.
Dans l'histoire, M.Kyritsis ramène un traitement expérimental pour les patients et devant les pronostics peu encourageant, Maria se propose pour l'essai. Après des fièvres coriaces et beaucoup de faiblesse, la tache à son mollet a disparu. Elle est guérie. L'île pourra laisser ses patients reprendre leur vie, même si les préjugés à leur endroits vont certainement être un gros défis pour eux. Maria et le médecin auront entretemps développer une complicité qui s'est mue en affection et ensemble, auront parcouru le monde en tant que couple, afin d'aller guérir d'autres gens ayant la lèpre.
Petit fait historique: C'est la chimiste Alice Augusta Ball, première afro-américaine à faire une maîtrise de Chimie et c'est à elle que l'on doit le remède, même si l'homme qui a compléter ses recherches, à son décès prématuré, n'aura pas spécifié que le remède était le résultat du travail de mademoiselle Ball. Je joins plus bas le lien qui résulte de cette petite parenthèse.
Les illustrations sont douces, elles ont une palette de couleurs différentes selon l'époque. la palette du présent est vive, avec un bleu lavande à l'honneur. La palette du passé est dans les tons sépia, avec des ocres, des bruns, des noirs, des gris et du corail foncé. J'aime cette distinction, ça lui donne un cachet un peu "vintage". le trait a un côté enfantin, comme des dessins d'enfants, mais avec une gravité d'adulte. Je pense que le crayon de bois côtoie l'aquarelle, l'un plus pour la texture et tracer les détail, l'autre pour le remplissage et l'ombre et lumière. C'est sobre et cela sert bien l'histoire. J'aime bien ces cadres qui suivent les pages avec des motifs lavande et corail, on dirait que le récit est suivi par de la broderie.
En somme, on se laisse attendrir par la beauté de ces relations entre personnage, que ce soit entre Maria et Dimitris, Maria et sa mère, Maria et son père. Et par le panorama aussi, j'ai rarement la chance d'une histoire se déroulant en Grèce. Maria est un personnage tranquille, qui ne fait pas de remous au début, mais qui se montre tenace sur les sujets réellement importants. Elle a une grande maturité et fait preuve de beaucoup de courage. En outre, il est bon de rappeler que la maladie fait doublement de ravage quand elle est marquée d'incompréhension et de fausses croyances. Ce n'est pas en rejetant qu'on s'en prémunie et ce n'est pas en niant que la solution va se manifester. Bref, une belle histoire, qui traite de tolérance, d'amour sincère, d'espoir et de l'importance de la démarche scientifique.
Lien National Geographic : Alice Ball, la scientifique qui a découvert un traitement contre la lèpre, a failli tomber dans l'oubli : https://www.nationalgeographic.fr/sci...
Catégorisation: Album-Roman Fiction historique, littérature jeunesse intermédiaire, troisième cycle primaire, 10-12 ans
Note: 7/10
Voir un album jeunesse naitre d'un roman adulte est toujours une joie, car il peut être accessible aux plus jeunes. Après "La Tresse" ou "Les Glorieuses", me voici sur le cas de "L'Île de Maria", version album jeunesse de "L'Île des oubliés", de Victoria Hislop. L'album est un hybride, plus exactement, car il revêt le texte du roman, amalgamé aux illustrations et au format de l'album jeunesse typique.
Rita visite chaque été sa grand-mère Maria, en Crète ( En Grèce) et en observant des photographies, la jeune demoiselle interroge sa "giagia"( Grand-mère) sur sa famille. Lorsqu'elle évoque Plaka, son village d'enfance , Rita demande si elles peuvent d'y rendre. Une fois sur place, l'aïeule commence un récit, celui de son enfance, où au début du 20e siècle, une maladie commençait à se rependre dans le pays: La lèpre. Source d'inquiétude en raison de son absence de traitement et la nature même de la maladie, une autre composante s'ajoute à l'angoisse d'en être porteur/porteuse: le rejet social. Vu comme une punition divine, une marque d'impureté, les habitants contaminés sont aussitôt envoyé des quatre coins de la Grèce sur l'île de l'autre côté de Plaka, Spilalonga. Mais la quarantaine imposé aux condamnés n'est pas la seule marque de la maladie. Les proches des malades sont aussi évités, comme si la honte frappait ceux qui avait le malheur d'être affiliés à des lépreux. La propre soeur de Maria, Anna, vaniteuse et égocentrique, n'a pas hésité à rompre le contact avec sa mère, puis sa soeur, pour cette raison. Maria voit en effet sa mère rejoindre Spilalonga, lorsqu'une tache insensibilisée est trouvée sur sa nuque, peu de temps après le meilleur ami de Maria, Dimitris. La femme et le jeune garçon quitteront d'ailleurs Plaka ensemble pour cette île qui rassemble les condamnés lépreux, pour qui, hélas, aucuns traitement ne peut les sauver. Mais après plusieurs années de correspondance entre mère et fille, Maria pleure sa mère, décédée des suite de la maladie. Peu de temps après, Maria est infectée à son tour et part pour l'île. Elle retrouve Dimitris, qui est entretemps devenu professeur de l'île et ensemble, se bâtisse une vie, sur cette île étonnamment magnifique et fonctionnelle. Les choses vont changer quand un médecin, non-lépreux, vient sur l'île avec l'intention de trouver une cure pour cette maladie.
Je préçise ne pas avoir lu le roman qui est à l'origine de ce roman-album jeunesse. Cela-dit, l'histoire, même raccourcie et adoucie ( du moins je le présume) demeure pertinente, touchante et bien ficelée. On ne parle que très peu de la maladie dans ses symptômes, en réalité. On mentionne à peine deux ou trois fois que les gens perdent des membres, mais on ne perd pas de temps sur sa "laideur". L'accent est mit sur la famille, sur la correspondance entre deux îles si près et pourtant si loin, entre une petite fille qui cultive l'espoir et sa mère qui cultive la beauté de la vie. Une correspondance qui s'accompagne de dessins et de salutations de la mains et du châle, chaque matin. À travers la maladie, les deux côtés travaillent à garder contact et c'est ce qui est touchant. Alors que les autres gens détournent les yeux de ces malheureux qui ont été contaminés ( et non pas "maudits") Maria refuse cette attitude.
Maria, donc, va se retrouver sur l'île, c'est en quelque sorte le second volet de cette histoire. Optimiste infatigable et scientifique dans l'âme, elle tente de se faire une science par elle-même au moyen de manuels et de magazines scientifiques. Son objectif: trouver un moyen de guérir la maladie. Alors quand M.Kyritsis débarque un beau jour avec la même idée en tête, l'espoir connait un regain. Maria a fait de rigoureuses prises de données, a participer activement aux recherches du médecin et l'aura assisté durant les essais cliniques, en tant qu'assistante.
Dans l'histoire, M.Kyritsis ramène un traitement expérimental pour les patients et devant les pronostics peu encourageant, Maria se propose pour l'essai. Après des fièvres coriaces et beaucoup de faiblesse, la tache à son mollet a disparu. Elle est guérie. L'île pourra laisser ses patients reprendre leur vie, même si les préjugés à leur endroits vont certainement être un gros défis pour eux. Maria et le médecin auront entretemps développer une complicité qui s'est mue en affection et ensemble, auront parcouru le monde en tant que couple, afin d'aller guérir d'autres gens ayant la lèpre.
Petit fait historique: C'est la chimiste Alice Augusta Ball, première afro-américaine à faire une maîtrise de Chimie et c'est à elle que l'on doit le remède, même si l'homme qui a compléter ses recherches, à son décès prématuré, n'aura pas spécifié que le remède était le résultat du travail de mademoiselle Ball. Je joins plus bas le lien qui résulte de cette petite parenthèse.
Les illustrations sont douces, elles ont une palette de couleurs différentes selon l'époque. la palette du présent est vive, avec un bleu lavande à l'honneur. La palette du passé est dans les tons sépia, avec des ocres, des bruns, des noirs, des gris et du corail foncé. J'aime cette distinction, ça lui donne un cachet un peu "vintage". le trait a un côté enfantin, comme des dessins d'enfants, mais avec une gravité d'adulte. Je pense que le crayon de bois côtoie l'aquarelle, l'un plus pour la texture et tracer les détail, l'autre pour le remplissage et l'ombre et lumière. C'est sobre et cela sert bien l'histoire. J'aime bien ces cadres qui suivent les pages avec des motifs lavande et corail, on dirait que le récit est suivi par de la broderie.
En somme, on se laisse attendrir par la beauté de ces relations entre personnage, que ce soit entre Maria et Dimitris, Maria et sa mère, Maria et son père. Et par le panorama aussi, j'ai rarement la chance d'une histoire se déroulant en Grèce. Maria est un personnage tranquille, qui ne fait pas de remous au début, mais qui se montre tenace sur les sujets réellement importants. Elle a une grande maturité et fait preuve de beaucoup de courage. En outre, il est bon de rappeler que la maladie fait doublement de ravage quand elle est marquée d'incompréhension et de fausses croyances. Ce n'est pas en rejetant qu'on s'en prémunie et ce n'est pas en niant que la solution va se manifester. Bref, une belle histoire, qui traite de tolérance, d'amour sincère, d'espoir et de l'importance de la démarche scientifique.
Lien National Geographic : Alice Ball, la scientifique qui a découvert un traitement contre la lèpre, a failli tomber dans l'oubli : https://www.nationalgeographic.fr/sci...
Catégorisation: Album-Roman Fiction historique, littérature jeunesse intermédiaire, troisième cycle primaire, 10-12 ans
Note: 7/10
April 10, 2023
Finding this existed for the first time the other day I was happy to read this as opposed to the full-length, adult novel of the same story. This proved it was a bit soapy and obvious, but still a worthwhile narrative. The elder Maria takes her granddaughter to look across the short stretch of water to Spinalonga, the island where Greece's leprosy sufferers were exiled to, and in an extended flashback spins her tale of the stigma and pre-death grief to be had when first her best friend and then her own mother were found to be leprous and ferried over on a one-way trip. But the book also features a host of heart and warmth, and of course it's up to the reader to best find where that positivity comes from. Illustrations bring the colours of Greece to the page, and certainly reminded me of the short half-day trip I had over there once.
I can see this being recommended as you can probably equate it with refugees, AIDS victims, any isolated group getting shunned by society. I would rather just recommend it for the entertainment - it doesn't need to talk to us of our own times, as it is an interesting and engaging bit of historical fiction for the 9-ups, and I'm glad I stumbled upon it.
I can see this being recommended as you can probably equate it with refugees, AIDS victims, any isolated group getting shunned by society. I would rather just recommend it for the entertainment - it doesn't need to talk to us of our own times, as it is an interesting and engaging bit of historical fiction for the 9-ups, and I'm glad I stumbled upon it.
September 23, 2022
Victoria Hislop's "The Island" is one of my favourite books, so, naturally, when I read that she recently wrote a children's book that centered on the main character, Maria, I was eager to read it and see how she tackled the topic of leprosy to children. I have to say, I wasn't disappointed. This is a beautiful story; well-written, emotional, and informative. Even without knowing "The Island" (which a child wouldn't know, of course) this book can be appreciated. As someone who has read "The Island", however, this book was even more special- I felt nostalgic, which is perhaps an odd feeling for a book I read earlier this year haha. But I had loved that book so much and it felt good to revisit it in a different perspective. By the end of it, I felt surprised to feel tears in my eyes (the ending is very beautiful). If you've read "The Island" I highly recommend you give this book a go, or perhaps read it to children.
Additionally, the illustrations in the book are adorable and brings it even more to life.
Additionally, the illustrations in the book are adorable and brings it even more to life.
November 15, 2021
As an adult I loved The Island.
Maria's Island didn't disappoint. It is a retelling of how the village of Plaka, Crete where Maria lives as a child overlooks the island of Spinalonga, the Leper colony. Maria tells her granddaughter, Rita, the story of their family after she finds an old photograph, which includes a Great-aunt Rita has never heard of. Greece after the war is suffering at the hands of this disease which a the start of the book is incurable, but later research and trials of different drugs bring hope to the community. But can someone find a drug that really works? How does this disease affect Maria?
Really pleased I got a copy of this book.
The pictures in this book are quite stunning and complete the book.
TA, primary school.
Maria's Island didn't disappoint. It is a retelling of how the village of Plaka, Crete where Maria lives as a child overlooks the island of Spinalonga, the Leper colony. Maria tells her granddaughter, Rita, the story of their family after she finds an old photograph, which includes a Great-aunt Rita has never heard of. Greece after the war is suffering at the hands of this disease which a the start of the book is incurable, but later research and trials of different drugs bring hope to the community. But can someone find a drug that really works? How does this disease affect Maria?
Really pleased I got a copy of this book.
The pictures in this book are quite stunning and complete the book.
TA, primary school.
March 11, 2022
Several years ago I read Hislop's, The Island. It was fascinating and stirring but is trumped by this version for children which somehow seems more authentic. Perhaps it is Gill Smith's glowing illustrations that elevates the feeling of really being there. I could smell the briny sparkling waters surrounding the renowned island of Spinalonga, feel the sunshine, smell the Kourabiedes baking...
Still beating with tragedy, Maria's Island portrays a part of human history that smarts with stigma, misunderstanding and fear against a background of family love and loyalty with a light and uplifting touch. This hardcover edition makes a beautiful illustrated historical fiction addition for any child's bookshelf.
Still beating with tragedy, Maria's Island portrays a part of human history that smarts with stigma, misunderstanding and fear against a background of family love and loyalty with a light and uplifting touch. This hardcover edition makes a beautiful illustrated historical fiction addition for any child's bookshelf.
November 11, 2023
The book begins with a girl visiting her grandmother in Crete. Then the narration switches to the grandmother telling in first person about her complicated childhood. There is a lot of interesting information and recent history that would probably be new to most children. The seriousness of the topic is buffered somewhat by the full color illustrations. Eventually, the narration brings us back to the present day with the granddaughter and grandmother returning to her home.
The narration is sometimes a bit clunky, but there is so much potential for empathy building and mind expansion of the kids who read this. I hadn't read the author's original book The Island, but I think I would like to now. (Partly because I think it might sound more natural as the original adult novel.)
The narration is sometimes a bit clunky, but there is so much potential for empathy building and mind expansion of the kids who read this. I hadn't read the author's original book The Island, but I think I would like to now. (Partly because I think it might sound more natural as the original adult novel.)
July 27, 2021
My review is on my website www.bookread2day.wordpress.com
Maria’s Island by Victoria Hislop is the most highest level of interest for children of 8 years plus. This marvellous book has fabulous creations of illustrations that children with love to study and take in all the details of all the characters.
Although this book is aimed at 8 and overs I absolutely adored it. I have to say that Maria’s Island is my top favourite book by author Victoria Hislop.
With our own emotional times with coronavirus and death, and with now so many having to isolate, this book the story of Maria’s Island is quite an emotional book with Leprosy. Our own doctors and nurses caught coronavirus and died , it’s the same in this story, where not only people were catching it but nurses too caught Leprosy.
If I could have given Maria’s Island by Victoria Hislop more tan 5 stars I would have been very happy to have done so, as I found this book went to the extra mile of being very educational, being part fictional, part true, with history and geography blended throughout this amazing easy read children’s book. I absolutely loved reading and taking in every word. Further more I believe that this book it very suitable for adults like me to have the pleasure in reading.
I would urge all parents and schools to read and discuss about the terrible events that took place in Maria’s Island.
About the story.
Rita lives in London but she half Greek. Every summer she goes with her parents on a long journey by plane and a boat to the island of Crete to visit her yiaya that is Greek for grandma. Crete became part of Greece in 1913.
Rita and her parents stay in Agios Nikolaos in her grandma’s apartment overlooking the the beautiful sea. Her grandma teaches Rita a Cretan dance.
Rita’s mother asks Rita’s grandma if she would come to live in England with them, but it’s far too cold for her in England and she has far too much to look after Crete. Rita doesn’t understand what her grandma has to look after.
Rita wants her grandma to take her on a bus to the village. While they are at the village her grandma points out where she used to live as child with her parents.
It is while they are alone together Rita’s grandma Maria, openly talks about living in Plaka with her parents and family. Maria tells her granddaughter Rita how lots of people including her family were effected by a disease Leprosy. And anyone that became effected by Leprosy was immediately taken away by a boat and sent to an island known as Spinalonga.
Maria’s friend Dimitris who was like a brother to her, he first caught Leprosy, being sent by boat to isolate on the small island Spinalonga. Then her mother caught it and was taken away to the island too. Unfortunately it was long before Maria was sent to Spinalonga. Way back then it was the law that anyone infected with the disease were all sent to Spinalonga to stop the spread of Leprosy.
I found this extremely educational as I knew nothing about Leprosy until I read Maria’s Island by Victoria Hislop.
I loved every single word written inside Maria’s Island and totally adored all the illustrations by Gill Smith. This is a real must buy, must read.
About Leprosy in the 21st century
Leprosy is one of the world’s oldest diseases. It is caused by bacteria that effects the nerves of the hands, feet and face. If left untreated it can cause pain, disfigurement and result in permanent disability. There is now an effective cure, but millions of people around the world are still disabled by the consequences of Leprosy and are subjected to discrimination and social exclusion, like Eleni, Dimitris and Maria in the story. This prejudice also makes people fearful of coming forward for diagnosis.
Maria’s Island by Victoria Hislop is the most highest level of interest for children of 8 years plus. This marvellous book has fabulous creations of illustrations that children with love to study and take in all the details of all the characters.
Although this book is aimed at 8 and overs I absolutely adored it. I have to say that Maria’s Island is my top favourite book by author Victoria Hislop.
With our own emotional times with coronavirus and death, and with now so many having to isolate, this book the story of Maria’s Island is quite an emotional book with Leprosy. Our own doctors and nurses caught coronavirus and died , it’s the same in this story, where not only people were catching it but nurses too caught Leprosy.
If I could have given Maria’s Island by Victoria Hislop more tan 5 stars I would have been very happy to have done so, as I found this book went to the extra mile of being very educational, being part fictional, part true, with history and geography blended throughout this amazing easy read children’s book. I absolutely loved reading and taking in every word. Further more I believe that this book it very suitable for adults like me to have the pleasure in reading.
I would urge all parents and schools to read and discuss about the terrible events that took place in Maria’s Island.
About the story.
Rita lives in London but she half Greek. Every summer she goes with her parents on a long journey by plane and a boat to the island of Crete to visit her yiaya that is Greek for grandma. Crete became part of Greece in 1913.
Rita and her parents stay in Agios Nikolaos in her grandma’s apartment overlooking the the beautiful sea. Her grandma teaches Rita a Cretan dance.
Rita’s mother asks Rita’s grandma if she would come to live in England with them, but it’s far too cold for her in England and she has far too much to look after Crete. Rita doesn’t understand what her grandma has to look after.
Rita wants her grandma to take her on a bus to the village. While they are at the village her grandma points out where she used to live as child with her parents.
It is while they are alone together Rita’s grandma Maria, openly talks about living in Plaka with her parents and family. Maria tells her granddaughter Rita how lots of people including her family were effected by a disease Leprosy. And anyone that became effected by Leprosy was immediately taken away by a boat and sent to an island known as Spinalonga.
Maria’s friend Dimitris who was like a brother to her, he first caught Leprosy, being sent by boat to isolate on the small island Spinalonga. Then her mother caught it and was taken away to the island too. Unfortunately it was long before Maria was sent to Spinalonga. Way back then it was the law that anyone infected with the disease were all sent to Spinalonga to stop the spread of Leprosy.
I found this extremely educational as I knew nothing about Leprosy until I read Maria’s Island by Victoria Hislop.
I loved every single word written inside Maria’s Island and totally adored all the illustrations by Gill Smith. This is a real must buy, must read.
About Leprosy in the 21st century
Leprosy is one of the world’s oldest diseases. It is caused by bacteria that effects the nerves of the hands, feet and face. If left untreated it can cause pain, disfigurement and result in permanent disability. There is now an effective cure, but millions of people around the world are still disabled by the consequences of Leprosy and are subjected to discrimination and social exclusion, like Eleni, Dimitris and Maria in the story. This prejudice also makes people fearful of coming forward for diagnosis.
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