#BookReview of #TheIslandOfLonging by @AnneGriffin_ | @SceptreBooks

‘Would you ever give up trying to find your child, if they vanished without a trace?’
– The Island of Longing

[ About The Island of Longing ]

One unremarkable afternoon, Rosie watched her daughter Saoirse cycle into town, expecting to hear the slam of the door when she returned a few hours later. But the slam never came.

Eight years on, after an extensive investigation into her disappearance, Rosie is the only person who stubbornly believes that her child might still be alive. When Rosie receives a call from her father, asking her to return home for the summer, she is forced out of her limbo. Life on the island of Roaring Bay revives old rivalries, but it also brings new friendships and unexpected solace.

Yet, when a sudden glimmer of hope appears, Rosie is forced to face an impossible question: is she right to think that Saoirse is still alive? Or will her belief that her daughter will one day return to her come at the cost of everything she has left?

[ My Review ]

The Island of Longing by Anne Griffin published May 4th with Sceptre and is described as ‘a haunting, exquisitely written story of enduring love.’

Rosie Driscoll has been living in an altered state since her daughter Saoirse disappeared from their Dublin home eight years ago. Saoirse was 17 years of age and had almost made it to her front door, but the door never slammed shut and Rosie quickly realised that Saoirse wasn’t there. Rosie had seen Saoirse come down the road toward their house on her bike and thought no more. When Saoirse’s bike was located out on the footpath, the initial thought was that she must have got waylaid by a buddy, got distracted and gone off with a friend. But for the family, a nightmare was about to begin, as Saoirse was officially deemed missing.

Rosie and her husband Hugh quickly established search parties and the media were roped in, camping outside their door. The police investigation was intense but no trace of Saoirse was discovered. Rosie has always refused to believe that Saoirse is dead. Surely her instinct, as a mother, would feel something, would know when her child is no longer breathing? Hugh and their son Cullie, Saoirse’s younger brother, helplessly watch Rosie slowly disintegrate as time passes, until eventually following the death of her own mother, Rosie hits a wall.

Now Rosie and Hugh are struggling in a marriage that doesn’t work anymore. Teen sweethearts, their love had always been strong but now they just pass each other by, moving through the motions of life, but not living.

Rosie is originally from Roaring Bay, an island off West Cork. As a young woman she had studied to get her ferry pilot license as her father, Danny Driscoll, was the local ferryman guiding his boat, Aoibhneas, from the island to the mainland and back. He provided a vital lifeline to the islanders and Rosie, as soon as she could, skippered alongside him, providing the relief when necessary. Her father had managed after Rosie married Hugh and moved her life to Dublin but now age was creeping up on him. With encouragement from Hugh, Rosie goes back to Roaring Bay to help out for the summer months. Leaving Dublin is hard as Rosie is afraid she might miss out on some news in relation to Saoirse but when she sets foot on the island she soon realises the power it has over her. Back on the ferry she feels a closeness to Saoirse that she hasn’t felt in awhile. This move from the mainland provides an alternative world for her to briefly escape her troubles but the fissures are always there. For her survival, Rosie must find a way forward.

The nightmare that Rosie finds herself living is in stark contrast to the gorgeous descriptions of people and place as depicted by Anne Griffin. Roaring Bay Island is inspired by the gorgeous Cape Clear Island which is situated off the coast of West Cork. I have been on Cape Clear so it was extremely easy for me to visualise the references to island living that are littered throughout this book. My family have roots in that part of West Cork, my maiden name is O’Driscoll and I am a mother, so Anne Griffin’s portrayal of the beauty of the land in contrast with the pain of heartbreak really affected me.

The Island of Longing isn’t so much about the search for a missing daughter but more about the consequences and ripple effects felt by everyone who is in the wake of this shocking event. Anne Griffin understands the human psyche and brings a very authentic quality into everything she writes. On Roaring Bay Rosie is briefly able to forget her experiences of the last few years and slip back into her old life. The acceptance of the community to her presence is heartfelt and full of warmth. Nobody pushes her, nobody expects too much of her. She is home. But Rosie has demons which must be dealt with and more importantly Rosie has hope. It is this hope, this instinctual attachment to Saoirse that drives her daily to get up and about her business. But there are threats to be faced and more obstacles to overcome. Rosie is on a precipice and decisions have to be made. What would you do?

The Island of Longing is a crushing tale of loss and pain while also providing uplifting and beautiful moments. A very affecting novel, The Island of Longing is a quiet and soul-searching story, an emotional and delicate novel that pulls at all the heartstrings.

[ Bio ]

Anne Griffin‘s first novel When All is Said was a Number One bestseller in Ireland in 2019 and chosen as the Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year in the An Post Irish Book Awards. It was also shortlisted for the John McGahern Annual Book and the RSL Christopher Bland prizes. Her second novel Listening Still was also a bestseller in Ireland. Her work has been published in 23 territories. The Island of Longing is her third novel. She lives in Co. Westmeath, Ireland.

Twitter ~ @AnneGriffin_