The Island: A Novel
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The Island: A Novel Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Elin Hilderbrand (Author), Denice Hicks (Narrator), Hachette Audio (Publisher)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 8,725 ratings
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This “deliciously addictive” (Kirkus) beach listen from Elin Hilderbrand follows a family in upheaval after a cancelled wedding fills an island summer with heartache, laughter, and surprises.

Birdie Cousins has thrown herself into the details of her daughter Chess's lavish wedding, from the floating dance floor in her Connecticut back yard to the color of the cocktail napkins. Like any mother of a bride-to-be, she is weathering the storms of excitement and chaos, tears and joy. But Birdie, a woman who prides herself on preparing for every possibility, could never have predicted the late-night phone call from Chess, abruptly announcing that she's cancelled her engagement.

It's only the first hint of what will be a summer of upheavals and revelations. Before the dust has even begun to settle, far worse news arrives, sending Chess into a tailspin of despair. Reluctantly taking a break from the first new romance she's embarked on since the recent end of her 30-year marriage, Birdie circles the wagons and enlists the help of her younger daughter Tate and her own sister India. Soon all four are headed for beautiful, rustic Tuckernuck Island, off the coast of Nantucket, where their family has summered for generations. No phones, no television, no grocery store - a place without distractions where they can escape their troubles.

But throw sisters, daughters, ex-lovers, and long-kept secrets onto a remote island, and what might sound like a peaceful getaway becomes much more. Before summer has ended, dramatic truths are uncovered, old loves are rekindled, and new loves make themselves known.

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  1. Listening Length
    15 hours and 14 minutes
  2. Author
    Elin Hilderbrand
  3. Narrator
    Denice Hicks
  4. Audible release date
    July 6, 2010
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Hachette Audio
  7. ASIN
    B003VXI44M
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 15 hours and 14 minutes
Author Elin Hilderbrand
Narrator Denice Hicks
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date July 06, 2010
Publisher Hachette Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B003VXI44M
Best Sellers Rank #11,380 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#318 in Family Life Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#597 in Women's Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#815 in Family Life Fiction (Books)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
8,725 global ratings
Enjoyable read
5 Stars
Enjoyable read
This is one of my favorites by Elin! I loved the depth of the characters, the love they shared, the bonds that no one could break, and their loyalty to one another. The island of Tuckernuck is the perfect setting to escape, relax, and reset your mind. What an enjoyable read!
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Top reviews from the United States

Chanda Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars A pleasant book
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2024
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I chose and liked this book due to its setting. I love books that are set at the beach, any beach. Each of the main characters in this book were in a difficult place in their lives, some more difficult than others. The change in each character was welcoming and I appreciate the author's ability to give them this change in their own way.
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Mr. August
4.0 out of 5 stars Upscale Chick Lit
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2010
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This is an easy summer read with some depth. Four women spend 30 days on this elite island, Tuckernuck, where only the chosen have homes. The women with great WASP names: Birdie and daughters, Chess and Tate with their aunt India sequester themselves on this island to heal and commiserate. Birdie, is newly divorced after 30 years from wealthy Grant, lacks confidence and feels it is an honor when her daughters appreciate her efforts at cooking or motherhood. India is an art society power-house who has survived the suicide of her sculptor husband. Chess is the perfect, beautiful successful daughter who called off her engagement but has a big secret. And Tate, the formidable computer whiz, who is looking for her first, sexual romance.

Hilderbrand knows how to rotate between characters and set up extreme personalities. She makes good use of the rich Anita who can buy herself a man and any material object but cannot own property on the exclusive Tuckernuck. Tuckernuck is an extreme, also. The homes have little electricity, cold water and groceries need to be boated in daily. Living in this sparse environment is a status symbol where "life is good" is the password among the other elite property owners. The women, no matter their status, pine away for men which is rather sad and degrading. These are talented women who were often jealous of each other, even mother to daughter, if another experienced happiness with a man. So this is a credible beach read with a silly cover that is incongruent with the story.
2 people found this helpful
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DSBenny
5.0 out of 5 stars The Island
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2024
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Erin Hilderbrand is a favorite author. She keeps you captivated!
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E. Ervin
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting people on an interesting island
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2015
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The Island by Elin Hilderbrand was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. The setting of Tuckernut Island was most interesting and I liked the fact that the ladies in the book were depicted as real women with histories. I could identify with the sisters - both sets. Birdie was a woman who was stronger than she had once thought she was. She was the mother to her daughters who at this particular time needed her desperately. She was able to dissolve a thirty year marriage which could not have been easy. Her sister India had managed to overcome her husband's suicide and go on to be successful in her life. The younger women were facing reality as well. The best part was that they did have each other. I liked the fact that they could yell and scream at each other and still remain family. That is easier said than done. Of course, I always prefer a book with a happy ending and the author gave us one in this book. That always makes me happy. The island was described quite well. The house sounded quaint and wonderful. I liked the beach and ocean scenes. Also I enjoyed having people in the story who we were meant to dislike. That is always a good thing for me in a book (of fiction.) The younger sisters Tate and Chess had some growing up issues that they had to face, I thought, even at their age. Chess especially needed to step up and do what was right and not just dump things on her Birdie but then again Birdie needed to say to Chess, maybe it's time for you to fix your own problems. Again, easier said than done. I did like this book and I read it all the way through and will be looking for more books from this author.
4 people found this helpful
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Barry Brown
3.0 out of 5 stars Not my favorite
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2022
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I've read 5 books by Elin Hilderbrand, and this one was my least favorite by far. I didn't like the characters....they were all a hot mess! The Mom didn't know who she wanted to be from day to day. The oldest daughter was a mental case. The youngest daughter sounded like she was messed up from childhood on and somehow becomes this really loving person in a month. India somehow raised 3 boys with a crazy husband and then wants to have an affair with some woman student of hers that's like 30 years younger than her...ugh! I didn't like that they spent all day smoking and drinking. The house they were staying in sounded awful...it sounded like it needed to be torn down and rebuilt. I mean it has bats living in it! How about some windows with screens on them? I get wanting to get away from it all, but these are wealthy people, and they did $60,000 in repairs to the house and still had bats and crappy beds and furniture! It was a slow read for me and just okay. I'd put this at the bottom of my Elin Hilderbrand list.
12 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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livilou
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
Reviewed in Canada on July 26, 2023
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Another of Elin’s books that I love. This was the only one I hadn’t read, and was so excited to find it. Wonderful story as usual, loved the characters and the beautiful location of Tuckernuck Island. Can’t wait for her next book, I’ve read them all…twice.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2023
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Another excellent read by Elin Hilderbrand.
Great story about sisters am?nd family. Enjoyed it from start to finish.
Highly recommend.
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Cliente Kindle
4.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining
Reviewed in Italy on July 12, 2023
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A little slow at the beginning than couldn't stop reading! Introspective and realistic. Would like to visit Tuckernuck! Suitable as summer reading
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
Reviewed in Australia on November 18, 2017
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I enjoyed following the stories of the four main characters, who were all likeable, flawed, real and interesting. The sense of place was also a highlight of the book. My first read of this author - will download more on my kindle ASAP
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Won't get fooled again
5.0 out of 5 stars Un plaisir, à lire sur la plage si possible
Reviewed in France on August 27, 2014
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J'ai lu ce livre pendant des vacances sur le Bassin d'Arcachon, et c'était un vrai plaisir de partager l'intimité de Chess, Birdie, Tate et India à Tuckernuck pendant que j'écoutais le bruit des vagues de l'océan. Soleil et sable chaud, complicité entre femmes, vie sauvage (comme au Cap-Ferret!), émois amoureux, tous les ingrédients pour une agréable lecture d'été sont réunis dans ce roman qui se lit facilement (en anglais pour moi), et qu'on quitte à regrets. Je ne connaissais pas Erin Hilderbrand, mais ses livres feront désormais partie de ma bibliothèque de vacances!
One person found this helpful
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