Off Island by Lara Tupper is a very good listen. I loved the author's brilliant imagery and how art was woven in the story. The details were fantastic and I could see the colors in my mind. The ability to mesh history with fiction was well done in this book. Linda Jones performed the book very well. Thank you #NetGalley and #Orange Sky Audio for allowing me to listen to this book.

I think readers looking for a slice of historical fiction about the painter Gauguin AND can understand what’s going on in the story will enjoy this book. Personally, it was a challenge following the narrative as the writing style was quite choppy and abstract. I would understand bits but then be hopelessly confused again as to what was going on. The writing style and I were not a fit!!

During the glimpses of understanding, I was intrigued and interested to know more about Gauguin and his life. I just wish the execution had been better. There are some five star reviews so it is worth giving it a read and forming your own opinion.

Thank you to Orangesky Audio and Netgalley for an advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orange Sky audio for this ALC.

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. The narrator and audiobook were fine, but the story itself was not likable. More, that the characters were not likable, where I just did not care how anything ends.

Off Island...... What to.say.? I really struggled with this audio. It wasn't the narrator. The book itself was a struggle. I couldn't get into it. The characters weren't a hit for me. would I recommend this? Yes I would because I think someone would enjoy this read..... It just wasn't for me.

The narrator is easy to listen to, and the description of scenery in this book is easy to imagine. However, I was caught off guard by the overly sexualized content of this book. There were abrupt transitions to sexual content that seemed somewhat jarring and unnecessary or out of place. The main characters are both men that I didn’t care for as humans, which unfortunately makes it hard to become invested in their story. This one just wasn’t my type of book which may reflect just as much about me as a reader as opposed to the book. However, I do think the description could better prepare readers for the story.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While i found the premise of the book fascinating- revisionist history-placing Paul Gauguin in Maine at the end of his life, and following subsequent generations- I really disliked the characters in this story- especially the men- Paul adulterous lusty and gonorrhea ( or maybe syphilis- Im not well versed on vernal diseases) continued to f*ck ( No love or caring is involved) anything in sight.
He meets a fitting end, and we switch to his grand son( or maybe great grandson) also an artist, who is having a midlife crisis, can’t relate to his wife and child. Instead he reminisces of highschool, touches himself frequently and thinks about sex constantly.
I got 38% though the book, and just couldn’t finish it. I really didn’t want to spent any more time with these horrible men. This maybe the next great American novel, the writing is really excellent, but its just not my cup of tea.

Artists have long loved the coast of Maine, its rugged beauty and clear, strong light a draw to the artistically inclined. Tupper imagines that Gaugin traveled to Maine in search of fresh inspiration. Woven into this narrative is the life of modern day Maine painter, Peter who is torn between two women. This was an interesting book, but I admit that I would have preferred to have had one narrative or the other; either one could have been a book in itself