Book Review: The Letter from the Island
Every week Calliope writes a letter to her twin sister who died sixty years ago. One day, she receives a letter back…
Present day, London. Now an elderly lady and living alone in her basement flat, Calliope desperately misses the sun-soaked olive groves of her Greek island home. It has been over sixty years since she ran away. When the letter postmarked from Crete lands on her doorstep, she is shocked to the core by what it says. Her twin sister is We need to talk about what happened.
Now Calliope must make a confession to her beloved granddaughter Ella. Calliope needs to lay her lifetime of secrets to rest, and she needs Ella’s help…
1944, Crete. Calliope clutches the baby to her chest as they run down the cliff path to the blue water of the harbour. She is all the little one has left now, and they must escape. The boat the Allies sent won’t wait forever. If only she’d reached the village sooner, her twin sister would still be alive. She will never forgive herself, but she must stay strong for the baby.
Calliope must make one final journey home. And what her and her granddaughter discover in Crete will change the course of their lives forever…
A heartbreaking and uplifting novel of a family torn apart by a devastating secret that will sweep you away across the glittering sea to Greece. Fans of Victoria Hislop, The Letter and Fiona Valpy won’t be able to put this beautiful book down.
My Review
I enjoy reading historical fiction books. I have read many books featured in WW1 and WW2 time periods. Although, I do not know anything about the Battle of Crete. Wow. I can't even begin to imagine what it was like during that time period.
Rose is a new to me author. Yet, I will check out more books by the author. This is a rich story with the locations and characters. A very character driven story. Calliope is a good voice. While I did enjoy this story. I will admit that the beginning got my hooked but then I kind of waived a bit but as the story progressed, I did find my footing again and became engaged again in the story.
The switching of the time periods was smooth. Readers of historical fiction will like this book.

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