Island Beneath the Sea

A Novel

By: Isabel Allende

Narrated by: S. Epatha Merkerson

Length: 17 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Born a slave on the island of Saint-Domingue, Zarit - known as Tt - is the daughter of an African mother she never knew and one of the white sailors who brought her into bondage. Though her childhood is one of brutality and fear, Tt finds solace in the traditional rhythms of African drums and in the voodoo loas she discovers through her fellow slaves.

When 20-year-old Toulouse Valmorain arrives on the island in 1770, its with powdered wigs in his baggage and dreams of financial success in his mind. But running his fathers plantation, Saint Lazare, is neither glamorous nor easy. It will be eight years before he brings home a bride - but marriage, too, proves more difficult than he imagined. And Valmorain remains dependent on the services of his teenaged slave.

Spanning four decades, Island Beneath the Sea is the moving story of the intertwined lives of Tt and Valmorain, and of one woman's determination to find love amid loss, to offer humanity though her own has been battered, and to forge her own identity in the cruellest of circumstances.

©2010 Isabel Allende (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"In a many-faceted plot, Allende animates irresistible characters authentic in their emotional turmoil and pragmatic adaptability. She also captures the racial, sexual, and entrepreneurial dynamics of each society in sensuous detail while masterfully dramatizing the psychic wounds of slavery. Sexually explicit, Allende is grace incarnate in her evocations of the spiritual energy that still sustains the beleaguered people of Haiti and New Orleans." ( Booklist)

excellent listen

When I decided on this book I wasn't really sure how I would enjoy the subject but it had good reviews and was on the NY Times bestseller list. But with a setting first in Haiti with the French in charge in the late 1700's, slavery, the slave rebellion, a move to New Orleans of both French and slaves along with excellent writing by the author I found I really did enjoy it. Both from an historical and human perspective, it was easy to keep listening and the book just rolled along.

Good story; easy listening...

The last book of Allende's that I read was House of the Spirits, her first novel, and one that was recognized for the beauty of its magical realism. In this book, her eighth novel, I didn't really see much if any of such magical realism. It was a really good story, nonetheless. I don't mind that it didn't have much magical realism. I did feel that it was straightforward good story telling... an historical, romantic saga and very well told. I wanted to listen, and I was compelled to finish! I love that! I also loved hearing about the history of Haiti through a story that made the history part palatable. I suppose the reason I didn't give the book 5 stars is that I felt somehow the writing wasn't absolutely beautiful or absolutely powerful. Maybe it WAS the magical realism of House of the Spirits that made me feel that her writing was beautiful? And in this book, even though the descriptions and stories of slavery were often horrific, somehow they lacked the power of some other ...more The last book of Allende's that I read was House of the Spirits, her first novel, and one that was recognized for the beauty of its magical realism. In this book, her eighth novel, I didn't really see much if any of such magical realism. It was a really good story, nonetheless. I don't mind that it didn't have much magical realism. I did feel that it was straightforward good story telling... an historical, romantic saga and very well told. I wanted to listen, and I was compelled to finish! I love that! I also loved hearing about the history of Haiti through a story that made the history part palatable. I suppose the reason I didn't give the book 5 stars is that I felt somehow the writing wasn't absolutely beautiful or absolutely powerful. Maybe it WAS the magical realism of House of the Spirits that made me feel that her writing was beautiful? And in this book, even though the descriptions and stories of slavery were often horrific, somehow they lacked the power of some other books.

Magnificent, Epic and totally Engaging

I rarely take the time to write a review, but this book I can honestly say was one of the best books I've ever read. A sweeping saga that spans several countries and decades telling the engrossing and intricate stories of individuals during the turn of the century in the 1800s.

Beautifully written with relevant historical details that kept me listening non-stop for almost 3 days straight. It is a tale I won't soon forget with characters I will think back on from time to time.

Simply put, this is a GREAT READ.

Love the book.

I love this book. Very effective at illustrating the injustice of slavery. Brought out some raw emotions

Story over generations

Shows the resiliency of women during a challenging time in HERstory. Allende always develops memorable realistic characters.

Excellent book by Allende

This book is beautifully narrated, a joy to listen to. My favorite of the two books by Allende that I have read.

Enchanting historical love story

This epic novel gave a realistic depiction of life for slaves as those who were free in the pre-Haiti era. The descriptions were vivid and drew you into the room with the cast. I absolutely loved the narration! Her voice made the language flow like music in my ears.

Compelling and beautiful story

For some reason, I was not fond of the narration of this story. It was a bit sing-song and flat for me. I did not feel it did justice to the way the novel was written and Allende's wonderful and expressive descriptions.

I feel compelled to purchase the written version of the book to see how the vision unfolds for me. I truly think it is a well written story.

Another Epic Novel

Another classic Isabel Allende historical ficton. She seemlessly blends multiple themes together to make a thoroughly comprehensive story. This main plot of the book is the story of a slave from Santa Domingo to her freedom in New Orleans. Although not without horror or sorrow, it is a story filled with real hope.

good story, ok narration

I couldn't stop listening. Ideal audiobook for me: good story, well written and not too heavy. Good to listen to while you're doing something else. The narration wasn't wonderful, any French names/words were butchered, but it didn't bother me too much.