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Red Island House
Red Island House: A Novel | Andrea Lee
18 posts | 13 read | 25 to read
From National Book Awardnominated writer Andrea Lee, an epic, gorgeously evocative novel about love and identity, following two decades in the marriage between an African American professor and her wealthy Italian husband as it unfolds on the remote and mysterious island of Madagascar. Shay is surprised when her husband Senna declares his intention to build her a spectacular dream house on an idyllic beach in the tropical island nation of Madagascar. But the Red Island House casts a spell from the moment she sees it, and before she knows it Shay has become the somewhat reluctant mistress of a sprawling household, caught between her privileged American upbringing and education, and her connection to the continent of her ancestors. At first, shes content to be an observer of the passionate affairs and fierce ambitions and rivalries around her. But as she and her husband raise children and establish their own rituals on the island, Shay finds herself drawn ever deeper into an extraordinary place with its own laws and logic, a provocative paradise full of magic and myth whose fraught colonial legacy continues to reverberate. Soon the collision of cultures comes right to Shays door, forcing her to make a life-altering decision. A sweeping novel about marriage and loyalty, identity and heritage, fate and freedom, Red Island House reintroduces readers to a powerhouse literary voice and an extravagantly lush, enchanted world.
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kelli7990
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Bailedbailed

Here‘s my review for a book I bailed on. This is the first time I‘ve ever bailed on an audiobook from Libby. I‘m disappointed because this book sounded really good to me.

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BarbaraBB
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Mehso-so

I was curious to see what would happen in the Red House on #Madagascar, where two worlds met: that of owners Shay and Senna and of the local community. I was intrigued by Shay‘s relationship with Bertine, a local woman working in the house but with an authority to which Shay gladly submits. I was confused when the book turned out to be a collection of short stories. Too little depth for me to really enjoy

#ReadingAfrica2022 🇲🇬

(Pic: Antwerp)

CarolynM I‘m envious! I loved Antwerp. Enjoy😘 2y
Librarybelle Completely agree with you on this! But, I learned a bit about #Madagascar , so that was a plus. 2y
BarbaraBB @CarolynM I know! I remember you being there. For me it was just a short work trip (it‘s about an hour by fast train from Amsterdam) but I loved that station 🥰 2y
66 likes3 comments
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TracyReadsBooks
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Mehso-so

Lee notes this book actually began as a series of short stories, told from different points of view, set in Madagascar. Unfortunately, the book reads that way & it never quite came together as a cohesive narrative for me. As disjointed as the story was, the writing is beautiful, the setting fascinating, & the issues touched upon—from colonialism to identity—thought-provoking. There were sections I really enjoyed but on the whole, this was so-so.

CaitlinR A useful review, thanks. 2y
24 likes1 comment
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TracyReadsBooks
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Next up

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Megabooks
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Mehso-so

Bahni Turpin did an excellent job of narrating, but I found it hard to follow many of what should be labeled interconnected short stories on audio. Too many characters!

Shay, a Black American woman, marries an Italian man and they build a house on a resort island in #Madagascar. The book centers around Shay and her ties to this house. There are stories about staff, locals, and guests. Shay‘s crumbling marriage is at the center of many stories.

Megabooks #Madagascar #ReadingAfrica2022 @Librarybelle I think this may work better for you in print @BarbaraBB I know it would‘ve for me! 3y
Librarybelle Perfect review, and my thoughts exactly on this! It was my first time listening to Turpin, and I definitely plan to listen to more! 3y
Megabooks @Librarybelle thanks! She‘s a fantastic narrator, and I definitely hope you listen to her again. 😀 3y
See All 12 Comments
BarbaraBB @Megabooks Really? I just downloaded the audiobook. Hmm. Maybe I must look for a print copy as well 3y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB maybe it will be better going in know that it is short stories set over 25 years. I think if I had known that, it would‘ve been a better experience. I‘m tired of this trend of short stories being called a novel. 3y
Follow.my.read Gorgeous cover! 3y
Megabooks @Follow.my.read it is! 3y
BarbaraBB That certainly is a trend indeed and not my favorite either. Thanks for the warning! 3y
Cinfhen I love interconnected stories…it‘s certainly my jam and I‘m pretty sure I mentioned that in my review or blurb. I agree some stories were harder to follow but ultimately I loved the island colors, flavors, people, traditions / I found it so vibrant and informative. It was a high pick from me. 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen I don‘t like short stories as audiobooks period. I love all kinds of short stories in print. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I just wish people would stop calling them novels. 😡😡 you probably did mention it in your blurb and I forgot and I often don‘t reread the one from the publisher for audiobooks. The only time I SORT OF like them on audio is when each story has a different narrator. Otherwise it‘s print city or bust. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3y
Cinfhen Yeah, I hear you- I usually prefer multi cast narration but for some reason this one just worked for me. Books are so personal to each reader/listener. I love that!! 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen yeah, i do too! I always love seeing what audiobooks you‘re reading 😘😘 (edited) 3y
87 likes12 comments
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Librarybelle
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Mehso-so

Set in #Madagascar , this book of chronologically interconnected stories follows Shay, the mistress of the Red House. I loved the descriptive aspects of the novel, detailing a country I know so little about and learning the customs of those who live on the island. The first story had a somewhat Gothic overtone, which I wished carried on throughout the book. At times, I felt the stories became a bit tedious, as Shay grapples ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Librarybelle …with her life as mistress and her straying-eye Italian husband. What I did appreciate was her often reflection of her role as a Black American being mistress over others…lots of emotion to unpack there! In the end, even the wonderful narration by Turpin left this being a so-so for me. Thanks to @Cinfhen for introducing this one to me and raving about the narrator! #ReadingAfrica2022 3y
Bookwormjillk Sorry the stories weren‘t what you hoped but at least it‘s a really pretty cover! 3y
Librarybelle @Bookwormjillk Yes! The cover is gorgeous…love the cover! 3y
Cinfhen I totally understand how parts of this book could feel tedious but I was enthralled - glad you gave it a try! 3y
BarbaraBB I‘m going to read this one too! 3y
63 likes5 comments
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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

This EASILY could have been a five star read but I felt the author gave us just a bit TOO much….I would have preferred a more slimed down story. Still a FANTASTIC piece of Island lure set in #Madagascar #ReadingAfrica22 Many themes explored and an interesting look at how race & class are viewed on an African Island amongst the inhabitants. Audio narration was fabulous

BarbaraBB I already ordered a copy. Sounds fantastic. 3y
Cinfhen Can‘t wait to hear your thoughts once you get to it @BarbaraBB #HaitiVibes 3y
Librarybelle I also got the audio copy through Audible with a credit! It‘s my next listen! 3y
Cinfhen I hope you enjoy it too @Librarybelle 3y
76 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Cinfhen
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LOVING this book set in #Madagascar #ReadingAfrica22 Narration by Bahni Turpin is FANTASTIC🙌🏻
Little vignettes featuring island life told through the eyes of Shay, an African American professor whose wealthy Italian husband has built her a luxurious villa in middle of the Indian Ocean. The details surrounding Island life, class, culture, people and myth are fascinating. I‘m devouring this one 🥰

BarbaraBB That sounds perfect again. I think I still haven‘t selected a book for Madagascar so I al sold! #stacked 3y
Cathythoughts Sounds great 👍❤️ 3y
jenniferw88 I love how I don't even have to check who it is posting these pictures/reviews any more - they're so distinctive of you Cindy (& I mean that in a good way!) 😊😘😘 3y
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Cinfhen Thanks so much @jenniferw88 😘😘😘 3y
Cinfhen It‘s great @BarbaraBB I definitely think you will LOVE this book. It‘s a bit long in some parts but that‘s more of my own hang-up @Cathythoughts 3y
Librarybelle I‘m going to check this one out! I love the cover, and your description of the narrative sounds fascinating. I‘ve yet to listen to an audiobook with that narrator, but you have so much love for their narrations that I am sold! 3y
Cinfhen I‘m learning so much about the island @Librarybelle - highly recommend 3y
britt_brooke Bahni Turpin is queen! 👑 3y
Centique I love Bahni Turpin too! 3y
Cinfhen Yesssss, Bahni Turpin is indeed Queen @britt_brooke @Centique 3y
72 likes5 stack adds10 comments
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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Pickpick

Shay is a California-born African American, working as a university professor in Milan. Her husband Senna is a successful Italian businessman. As Europeans do, they vacation on a small island off the coast of Madagascar and fall in love with a large red house. Lee tells stories of expatriate life, modern day castes and classism, and ironies of life within all of those.

Full review https://www.TheBibliophage.com #thebibliophage2021

71 likes2 stack adds
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kera_11
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This book is told in 10 chapters of short stories spanning approx. 20 years of Shay and her husband vacationing in Madagascar. As a wealthy black woman, Shay does not relate to the impoverished and employed natives or the white vacationers who think themselves above the locals. A beautifully told story showing how colonialism still plays its role today.

3 likes1 stack add
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Sydneypaige
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This book reads more like short stories that are all centered around one main character/ family rather than a ‘traditional‘ novel. It was easy to get into and I enjoyed getting to know the secondary characters throughout the chapters as well as the reflections of the multiple cultures this book covers.

4 likes1 stack add
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BookishTrish
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Pickpick

It was too hot to do anything but read today so I devoured this novel-in-interconnected stories about a couple (she: Black American, he: Italian) and their vacation retreat in Madagascar. I only wish I‘d known Bahni Turpin narrated the audiobook.

Reggie I like the Freddy cameo here. 3y
Bookzombie What @Reggie said. 3y
59 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Soubhiville
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Pickpick

This was a case of instantaneous coverlove. Then when I saw that it took place in Madagascar, a place I‘ve always wanted to visit, I knew I would read it.

Shay is the somewhat reluctant mistress of the grand house her husband had built on the coast in Madagascar. They spend their summers there, and this is a collection of tales of island life, a tumultuous marriage, and the friendships formed over a lifetime of summers. I liked it.

ChaoticMissAdventures I was the same, that cover caught me right up and then I enjoyed the story too. It is very fitting. 3y
67 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Soubhiville
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#curioucovers :Water #LittenListen

My hold for this came in over the weekend, so I‘ll definitely be getting to it ASAP. I just love this cover!

aperfectmjk That IS a very beautiful cover! 3y
Eggs Stunning cover 💙💧💚 3y
BiblioLitten It is beautiful! 😍 3y
55 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Well-ReadNeck
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Pickpick

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Absolutely loved this on #audiobook. A novel of connecting sub-stories. The first section sets a wonderfully Gothic scene. One of my favorite reads of the year.

dylanisreading Bahni Turpin is such a great voice actor. 3y
Well-ReadNeck @Bianca Yaasssss! I ❤️ Bahni Turpin. 3y
JamieArc I just received this in the mail. Will move it up my stack to get to this summer! 3y
89 likes9 stack adds3 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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Pickpick

Here in the US it is the day after Thanksgiving, which for me means snuggling in and reading.
Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC.
I really enjoyed this. Different from most books in that the house itself is the protagonist, and the characters that flow in and around it are the story. I loved her writing and thought this was original, and interesting to read.

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Rhondareads
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Love Andrea Lees beautiful writing so excited to read her latest Red Island House.Thanks @ScribnerBooks for this beautiful arc my holiday reading all set,

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ChaoticMissAdventures
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Three day work week. And because I am someone who cares that our hospitals are stretched over the limit all Thanksgiving plans are cancelled. So my super stretch #weeklyforcast is 5 books. Starting Red Island House and This Mournable Body (which I am nervous about because it has very low ratings here and on GR) today.