Books On Tour (Review): Burning Island by Suzanne Goldring

I have been on somewhat of a historical fiction kick lately, and this book is the second in a week I have read that has a unique perspective on WWII.

I am a student of history and have long been interested in this period. As mentioned in other reviews, I have been to Dachau and studied the politics of the time. But in all of my studies, I never once gave thought to the full extent of the reach the Nazis had across Europe.

That is just one reason that the new release from Suzanne Goldring had me fascinated from the very start. Set on the island of Corfu, Burning Island is two stories in one. The first takes place in contemporary times between 2006-2009, as Amber and James move from London to Corfu to start a new life together.

The second and more telling part of the story revolves around the removal of Jews on the island in 1944. This is an event that is seldom (if ever) relayed in history books and the part I found most interesting. It tracks a family who makes the ultimate sacrifice as Nazis take over the island and start rounding them up for shipment to the camps.

The author does a masterful job of weaving these two narratives together. I found myself getting wound up in both as the chapters switch points of view between James, Amber, and Rebekka, the oldest daughter of the Jewish family. The transitions were seamless; even over time and differing perspectives, the story flowed smoothly.

I thought that the chapters detailing Rebekka’s story were exceptionally well-done. The author conveyed the dismay and disbelief the townspeople had while also illuminating the sheer evil of the Nazi goals. Balancing the hope of the people in the face of the callousness of the Nazis is tricky, but the author succeeds. It still remains that the tragedy is overwhelming.

As always, I will not give away the plot points, as everything develops naturally, and I think it is essential for readers to discover the parallels on their own. I will say, however, that I did love how the person who embraced the history of the island and took the time to understand it is the person who got the most out of the life they chose. I know that’s cryptic, but honestly, you have to read it to understand it.

Once again, as with The Fortunate Ones by Catherine Hokin, this author also brings up an interesting perspective on the Nazi period. This time it’s how the younger generation of Germans felt when they realized what their parents and grandparents and been a part of (whether willingly or not); this point of view could have used some more elaboration, but I liked how the author addressed it.

Ultimately, the two stories do come around to each other in a satisfying way. I did think that the book ended rather abruptly. I think a reflection or two from a couple of characters would have been the emotional ending that the story warranted. But the events in the last third of the book do wrap up the plots (very satisfying) and leave the reader with many thoughts to ponder.

I loved My Name is Eva and was excited to read this second book from the author. I was not disappointed, and you won’t be either.

AUTHOR BIO

Following an eventful career as a public relations consultant, specialising in business and travel, Suzanne Goldring turned to writing the kind of novels she likes to read, about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. Her debut novel MY NAME IS EVA draws on her experience of volunteering in a care home and was partially inspired by a cache of wartime love letters which were saved from the flames. Her second novel, BURNING ISLAND, is set in Corfu, a place of fun and beauty but also tremendous tragedy.
Suzanne writes in her thatched cottage in Hampshire and a seaside cottage in Cornwall.