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  • Islands of Mercy

  • By: Rose Tremain
  • Narrated by: Katie McGrath
  • Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (282 ratings)

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Islands of Mercy

By: Rose Tremain
Narrated by: Katie McGrath
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

She was ‘The Angel of the Baths’, the one woman whose touch everybody yearned for. Yet she would do more. She was certain of that.

In the city of Bath, in the year 1865, an extraordinary young woman renowned for her nursing skills is convinced that some other destiny will one day show itself to her. But when she finds herself torn between a dangerous affair with a female lover and the promise of a conventional marriage to an apparently respectable doctor, her desires begin to lead her towards a future she had never imagined.

Meanwhile, on the wild island of Borneo, an eccentric British ‘rajah’, Sir Ralph Savage, overflowing with philanthropy but compromised by his passions, sees his schemes relentlessly undermined by his own fragility, by man’s innate greed and by the invasive power of the forest itself.

Jane’s quest for an altered life and Sir Ralph’s endeavours become locked together as the story journeys across the globe - from the confines of an English tearoom to the rainforests of a tropical island via the slums of Dublin and the transgressive fancy-dress boutiques of Paris.

Islands of Mercy is a novel that ignites the senses and is a bold exploration of the human urge to seek places of sanctuary in a pitiless world.

©2020 Rose Tremain (P)2020 Penguin Audio
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What listeners say about Islands of Mercy

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A story with many characters and sub plots

I am a great fan of Rose Tremain but I felt this book tried to paint too large a canvas and, as a result, some characters were under-developed, particularly those in Borneo. The story would have been better concentrating on Jane Adeane, her lover Julietta Simms, her suitor Valentine Ross, her father William, Clarinda Morrissey, and Clarinda's family in Ireland. If these characters had been rounded out more, the story would have been more satisfactory. The narration by Katie Mcgrath was good.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Simply perfect and enjoyable

At the begining, the reason to get this book was only because I'm a great fan of Katie McGrath, but every minute I heard, the book hooked me more and more. The plot, the characters and the way that Rose Tremain write are really fantastic and Miss McGrath performance is such perfect as always in her jobs. I recommend it at all, the time fly away when you enjoy.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another gripping story from a brilliant author

she transports the reader like no other writer. I loved this book. completely absorbing.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Engaging listening

Good story. Lots of interest between interconnecting people set in Bath, Lindon and far east.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

I originally wanted to listen to this book because of Katie McGrath narrating, but this is such a good book! I cannot stop listening, it’s hard to stop after a chapter or two. I love the wording, it’s just amazing. Definitely recommend to anyone wondering if they should listen/read this.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Katie McGrath Is Perfect

Katies voice is perfect and calming, she could read me the back of a shampoo bottle and it would entrance me and be the best thing id ever heard

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12 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Had me hooked

It's not my usual type of book as I prefer fantasy and Sci fi but this had me absoloutly hooked. Really enjoyed the story and characters, and the narrator had a wonderfully soothing voice.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome

I’m in love with Katie McGarth’s voice and her reading a queer story is just about as great as it can get

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

.

The best thing about this book, except it being a historian lesbian love story, is that Katie Mcgrath narrated it and I'd very much enjoy to listen to more books narrated by her.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

YES

Yeeted myself into this book when i saw that Katie McGrath is the narrator. Absolutely worth it! One of the most beautifully books I've ever read/listened to.

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3 people found this helpful