Up Island
Written by Anne Rivers Siddons
Narrated by Dana Ivey
4/5
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About this audiobook
“A wonderful story. . . .Siddons has returned to what she does best: gives us a book full of laughter and adventure that has enough soul to leave us with something to think about after we finish reading.” — Detroit News/Free Press
From childhood, Molly Bell Redwine was taught by her charismatic, domineering mother that ""family is everything."" But no one warned Molly that family can change unexpectedly. In rapid succession, her husband of more than twenty years abandons her for a younger woman, her mother dies, and her Atlanta clan scatters to the four winds. Molly is set adrift in a heartbeat.
With her old world crumbling, Molly takes refuge with a friend on Martha's Vineyard, hoping to come to terms with who she truly is. When the summer season ends, Molly decides to stay on, renting a small cottage on a remote up-island pond—becoming part of an odd, new, very real family that taxes her old outworn notions. And as the long Vineyard winter approaches, Molly braces herself for the arduous task she must undertake: a search for renewal and identity, and the strength to carry her through to the warm and healing spring.
Anne Rivers Siddons
Anne Rivers Siddons is the New York Times bestselling author of 19 novels that include Nora, Nora, Sweetwater Creek, Islands, Peachtree Road, and Outer Banks. She is also the author of the nonfiction work John Chancellor Makes Me Cry.
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Reviews for Up Island
21 ratings10 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5When it comes to Siddons' books, I either love 'em or hate 'em. This one was a nice surprise and an enjoyable read. Molly Redwine is living the good life in Atlanta with her loving husband who has a big-shot job at Coke. Their daughter is grown and has a husband of her own and a new baby. Their teen-age son is headed off to college. They have lots of friends and a beautiful home. Then the "loving husband" decides to take his love elsewhere. Then Molly's mother dies. All of this trauma and drama is too much for Molly, and she ends up in Martha's Vineyard. Over one long winter, she discovers some special people, including herself. Siddons has created Interesting characters, including some of the animal variety. A good read.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Another good novel by Siddons, although not as good as my favorite, Colony. This novel is relplete with the usual Siddons touches: theraputic sleep and dreams, lots of time spent on describing alcohol and drinking episodes, and the self-discovery that each main character seems to experience.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is a book about change and loss and the strengths that we don't always know we have until, like Molly, we are forced to find a quiet place to heal. Set in the beautiful "Up Island" area of Martha's Vineyard, this is a book to read slowly and savor.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Interesting story, but unlike many of Siddon's characters, Molly never changes much. Ten pages from the end of the book, she still has all the baggage and issues that she started with.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Molly Bell Redwine has had the mantra 'family means everything' instilled in her from early childhood by her charismatic, demanding mother. But in what seems like a single instant, Molly's world is tilted on its axis and she is shaken to her very core by the aftermath. When her husband of more than twenty years leaves her for a much younger woman, Molly's world crumbles around her. She is devastated to learn that the "Other Woman" has stepped in to Molly's life and essentially replaced her - moving into Molly's house, taking over her social position and earning the affection of Molly's son.With the death of her domineering mother, Molly is truly set adrift in the world. Seeking refuge with a friend in Martha's Vineyard, Molly begins to search for her own identity. When her friend departs, she decides to stay in Martha's Vineyard by herself. Molly rents a small cottage, assuming the duties of caretaker for two cantankerous elderly women who share a haunting secret, the gravely ill and estranged son of one of those women, and a pair of territorial swans.As Molly's stay on Martha's Vineyard widens the distance between her and her old life in Atlanta, she learns to let go of her outdated notions of family and becomes part of a different - but still very real - new family. As winter closes in on Martha's Vineyard, Molly struggles to nurture them and looks forward to a more hopeful future.I really enjoyed reading Up Island. In my opinion, Anne Rivers Siddons is a truly great author - she really draws the reader into the story, and they are captured by a desire to know what happens next. I vaguely remember reading this book before several years ago, but I couldn't really remember most of the plot, so it was like reading an entirely new book for me. I give Up Island by Anne Rivers Siddons an A+! and will place it on my keeper shelf to read again.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Divorced woman takes off for some solitude.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is the best Anne Rivers Siddons book I've read so far (I've read 3 others). This didn't have all of the set-up and background in the beginning that I usually find so tiresome. I found it easy to relate to the characters, and their stories were engaging. Definite thumbs up here. If you're a Siddons fan and haven't read this one, you must pick it up immediately.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A perfect summer/beach book! My first by this author and I loved it. I couldn't wait to see how it ended yet didn't want it to end. I loved the swans!!!! Lovely book to get lost in.I would have liked alittle more closure in the ending.Highly recommended!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Interesting book. It starts out with one feeling and by the end it is completely different.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I love Anne Rivers Siddons and this is my favorite so far. Just not crazy about the narration. It's a little stilted.