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This Other Eden

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This Other Eden

By: Paul Harding
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

LONGLISTED FOR THE 2023 BOOKER PRIZE

Set at the beginning of the twentieth century and inspired by historical events, This Other Eden tells the story of Apple Island: an enclave off the coast of the United States where waves of castaways - in flight from society and its judgment - have landed and built a home.

Benjamin Honey- American, Bantu, Igbo- born enslaved- freed or fled at fifteen- aspiring orchardist, arrived on the island with his Irish wife, Patience, and discovered they could make a life together there. More than a century later, the Honeys' descendants remain, with an eccentric, diverse band of neighbours. Then comes the intrusion of 'civilization': officials determine to 'cleanse' the island, and a missionary schoolteacher selects one light-skinned boy to save. The rest will succumb to the authorities' institutions or cast themselves on the waters in a new Noah's Ark.

Full of lyricism and power, Paul Harding's This Other Eden explores the hopes and dreams and resilience of those seen not to fit a world brutally intolerant of difference.

©2023 Paul Harding (P)2023 Penguin Audio
Family Life Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Fiction Island

Critic Reviews

'Masterful . . . [This Other Eden] has much to say to our times.' Guardian

'A testament of love . . . so real it could make you weep.' Danez Smith, New York Times

'A luminous, thought-provoking novel.' Esi Edugyan, author of Washington Black

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Beautiful Story

Beautifully crafted book about a cruel, sad & forgotten episode in history. Excellent narration enriches the writing. Wonderful

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Heart breaking, beautiful, cruel

Like Tinkers, I loved this book, listening to it twice. Harding’s prose is stunningly lyrical, the story telling of the cruelty and stupidity of racism, and the characters are full of life and complexity. The author paints the scenes and people so masterly, you can practically see them.

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Heartbreaking

I’m listening to the titles on the Booker long list and this is one of my favourites. I keep thinking about it. Haunting story, beautifully read

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A moving tale

Having greatly enjoyed Harding’s Tinkers, I looked forward to reading his latest novel. It doesn’t disappoint. Like Tinkers, it too tells with a poignant simplicity the tale of people caught in the cross fires of the prejudice of their times. By the end, I wanted to know more, like what happened to Ethan, but leaving left wanting perhaps contributed to the enjoyment.

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