I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
On the Island
in Paperback edition on August 16, 2012 and has 346 pages.
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An unexpectedly sweet romance. And one I would buy for my own.
MGM has optioned it for a feature film. I’m not sure if I want to see this on the screen or not. I probably do. It’s just so sweet and sad and sweet again…
My Take
This is not a well-written story, but it is an incredible story. Graves had me laughing and crying and praying for these two. Very impressive.
The story switches back and forth between Anna and T.J., providing us with their own perspectives on what’s happening to them and between them on the island. There’s a lovely, natural progression as they get to know each other.
There are some massive holes in it, but Graves writes it so neatly that they really don’t seem to matter. She has written some very real characters and I loved the ending. It was practical and, finally, romantic.
The Story
It’s been eight years, and John still is reluctant to get married. Anna has given him ’til the end of the summer, but she already knows what she wants in her heart.
When the tutoring job comes up for Anna to vacation in Malé for the summer helping a sixteen-year-old boy catch up on the classes he’s missed due to his cancer, she jumps at the opportunity. Only it turns out to be more than one summer of introspection.
They support each other. When one is down, the other tries to be upbeat. They learn from each other. They love each other. After all, who else is there.
The Characters
Anna Emerson is a schoolteacher who has accepted a private tutoring job for the summer. John is the boyfriend she plans to say no to at the end of the summer. Sarah is her sister who is married to David, and they have two kids, Chloe and Joe. Stefani is her best friend.
T.J. Callahan is sixteen and three months into remission from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He’s got a lot of missed schooling to make up for over the summer. Ben is his best friend. Tom and Jane are his parents. Grace and Alexis are his sisters.
Mick is the seaplane pilot who ate one too many cheeseburgers. Rosemary Miller is the therapist Anna sees.
The Cover and Title
The cover is beautiful with a long-haired woman in a fuchsia beach cover-up standing on the beach in contemplation with her back to us, facing an endless horizon of a beautiful turquoise blue ocean with waves burbling up on shore.
The title is too accurate for Anna and T.J. are On the Island.
