The Island of Forgetting

The Island of Forgetting is a powerful saga of family and hope that spans fifty years, marking the arrival of a stunning new voice in literary fiction. It follows the lives of Iapetus, Atlas, Calypso, and Nautilus, who are trapped by a history found only in whispers and half-remembered fragments.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 20 July 2023
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

In this captivating debut, an enigmatic legacy weaves its way through the lives of a family residing on the picturesque island of Barbados. The story revolves around Iapetus, a solitary soul tormented by the haunting recollections of his father; Atlas, his son, harboring dreams of a life entirely different from his current reality; Atlas's daughter, Calypso, grappling with the challenge of carving out a place for herself in a society that seems unforgiving; and her son, Nautilus, navigating the intricacies of a multifaceted identity. Each of them yearns to break free from the constraints of their circumstances, yet they are held captive by a history whispered in hushed tones and half-remembered fragments. As the years unfold, a recurring question emerges for every new generation: how can the things we don't know shape our destinies? Spanning fifty years, "The Island of Forgetting" unfolds as a poignant saga of family and hope, heralding the arrival of a remarkable new voice in literary fiction.

"The Island of Forgetting" by Elizabeth McCracken has been selected as the Fiction Book of the Month by The Times. The novel delves into the lives of a family living on the picturesque island of Barbados, exploring the enigmatic legacy that passes through generations. The story revolves around Iapetus, a solitary soul haunted by the memories of his father; Atlas, his son, dreaming of a life far removed from his current reality; Atlas's daughter, Calypso, struggling to find her place in an unforgiving society; and her son, Nautilus, grappling with various parts of a complex identity. Each character yearns to escape their circumstances but finds themselves trapped by a history found only in whispers and half-remembered fragments. As the novel spans fifty years, it raises the question of how the things we don't know can define our futures. "The Island of Forgetting" is a powerful saga of family and hope, marking the arrival of a stunning new voice in literary fiction.

Weight: 222g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008532932