Description

A dramatic and moving story set in the same world as the international bestseller The Island from the celebrated novelist Victoria Hislop.

The absorbing story of the Cretan village of Plaka and the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga – Greece’s former leper colony – is told to us by Maria Petrakis, one of the children in the original version of The Island. She tells us of the ancient and misunderstood disease of leprosy, exploring the themes of stigma, shame and the treatment of those who are different, which are as relevant for children as adults. Gill Smith’s rich, full-colour illustrations will transport the reader to the timeless and beautiful Greek landscape and Mediterranean seascape.

• A powerful and enchanting story which explores stigma and shame in an accessible and gentle way.
• The original adult version of The Island has sold over 5 million copies worldwide, including 1 million copies in the UK alone, and has been translated into 35 languages. It was the winner of Richard & Judy’s Summer Read and the Sunday Times number one paperback for eight weeks. A sequel is being published in autumn 2020 by Headline Books.
• As an acclaimed novelist, and with her previous background in PR, Victoria is highly experienced in engaging with publicity and events. She is passionate about Greece, having explored, studied and written about the country for around 40 years, and has five adult books exploring different eras and aspects of Grecian life.