Book Description

The Isands Collection is a captivating omnibus of two of Victoria Hislop's most gripping novels, The Island and The Sunrise. Heartbreaking and immersive stories set against the backdrop of stunning Mediterranean islands from the Sunday Times number one bestselling author. 'Victoria Hislop's view of history in her novels is, like the writer herself, a compassionate and generous one' Scotsman The Island, the acclaimed million-copy bestseller: On the brink of a life-changing decision, Alexis Fielding longs to find out about her mother's past. But Sofia has never spoken of it. All she admits to is growing up in a small Cretan village before moving to London. When Alexis decides to visit Crete, however, Sofia gives her daughter a letter to take to an old friend, and promises that through her she will learn more. Arriving in Plaka, Alexis is astonished to see that it lies a stone's throw from the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga - Greece's former leper colony. Then she finds Fotini, and at last hears the story that Sofia has buried all her life: the tale of her great-grandmother Eleni and her daughters and a family rent by tragedy, war and passion. She discovers how intimately she is connected with the island, and how secrecy holds them all in its powerful grip... The Sunrise, the Number One Sunday Times bestseller: In the summer of 1972, Famagusta in Cyprus is the most desirable resort in the Mediterranean, a city bathed in the glow of good fortune. An ambitious couple are about to open the island's most spectacular hotel, where Greek and Turkish Cypriots work in harmony. Two neighbouring families, the Georgious and the Özkans, are among many who moved to Famagusta to escape the years of unrest and ethnic violence elsewhere on the island. But beneath the city's façade of glamour and success, tension is building. When a Greek coup plunges the island into chaos, Cyprus faces a disastrous conflict. Turkey invades to protect the Turkish Cypriot minority, and Famagusta is shelled. Forty thousand people seize their most precious possessions and flee from the advancing soldiers. In the deserted city, just two families remain. This is their story. Praise for The Island and The Sunrise: 'Fascinating and moving' The Times on The Island 'A vivid, moving and absorbing tale' Observer on The Sunrise 'An imaginative tour de force, and a great read' Daily Mail on The Island 'Wonderful descriptions, strong characters and an intimate portrait of island existence' Woman & Home on The Sunrise 'An absorbing tale about family, friendship, loyalty and betrayal' Good Housekeeping on The Island 'A beautiful tale of enduring love and unthinking prejudice' Express on The Sunrise