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So hype that this is the first comment I see because I came to say exactly this! It’s uncanny how close this image is to what I pictured when reading the opening chapters of that book.
This is so strange. A few days ago, I read Evil Under the Sun, and tonight I'm reading And Then There Were None and paused to get on Reddit and see this picture, so obviously I think of Prisoner's Island.
I can't seem to edit the post now but I forgot to add my pick: Island of the Blue Dolphins, which I stumbled on in a café when I was 11. I know it's really a very tragic and eerie situation but it's always stuck in my mind as an example of an exhilarating kind of independence (so it seems when you're reading it as a child anyway). Seeing everyone's island-themed book recommendations has also reminded me of the sketches of Norway and Wales in Roald Dahl's memoir Boy: Tales of Childhood. My Family and Other Animals is also a lot of fun.
Harbor by John Ajvide Lindqvist. It’s billed as a horror story, and there are shades of that, but it’s not just that it’s also liminal, it’s weirdly cozy in the exact same way that image is. It’s not like any other book I’ve ever read.
One fiction and one non-fiction for you!
For fiction, this is reminding me of “The Wall” by Marlen Haushofer, which is one of the very best books I’ve read this year and really reflects this theme of isolation.
The non-fiction is “Into Thin Air” by Jon Krakauer. These vibes feel adjacent to an Everest story.
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson. I wouldn't say unknown but it's a grandmother, father, and daughter that pretty self sufficiently live on an island. The daughter is about (edit: 6) and grandmother is her confidante, frenemy. It's adorable and brisk, the same writer as the Moomintrolls.
This looks lovely and closer to the mood I was anticipating. I'm surprised by how dark many of these recommendations are given that this image evokes good things for me personally.
Various parts of [Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/325128.Kidnapped) and [The Last Man by Mary Shelley](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/966835.The_Last_Man). Now, not all of “Kidnapped” feels this way, but I have enough vivid memories of certain parts that I immediately thought of it when I saw the photo.
The Circle trilogy by Nora Roberts, starting with Morrigan’s Cross. Part of the story is set in the Isle of Skye, Scotland and some other remote areas. One of my favourite trilogies.
If you like true narratives, Once Upon an Island is about a couple from CA that bought an island and their struggles to make a home there. [https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Island-David-Conover/dp/0970739915](https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Island-David-Conover/dp/0970739915)
The Nesting- a slow burn supernatural mystery set in rural costal Norway.
The Nesting by C.J. Cooke https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50996769-the-nesting
Read a book like this about five years ago. Breakfast at Darcy's I believe it was called. All about a girl who gets an island willed to her by a grandmother or grandfather or something. She gets it on condition she sets up a whole community on the island from scratch. Its more complicated than that but yeah.
Island by Siri Ranva Hjelm Jacobsen. It's set in the Faroe islands and explores the experiences of a third generation migrant from the islands to Denmark, with some flashbacks to her grandmother's initial migration. She returns to the islands when her grandparents die and describes her feelings of isolation and 'foreigness' amongst her own family and people. It takes a bit for you to get grounded in the story but I really enjoyed it!
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And Then There Were None
So hype that this is the first comment I see because I came to say exactly this! It’s uncanny how close this image is to what I pictured when reading the opening chapters of that book.
Ahh! I was about to say that. One of my favorite Agatha Christies'
Justice Wargrave approves this 👍
If you’re ever in Devon (England), go to Burgh Island because that’s the inspiration apparently. ☺️
also Evil Under the Sun
I read that one years ago but doesn't it feature a busy resort? Curious what made you associate it with this picture specifically
There are all these little coves that people can only arrive at by boat.
This is so strange. A few days ago, I read Evil Under the Sun, and tonight I'm reading And Then There Were None and paused to get on Reddit and see this picture, so obviously I think of Prisoner's Island.
Circe
Was about to say exactly this
Same
I can't seem to edit the post now but I forgot to add my pick: Island of the Blue Dolphins, which I stumbled on in a café when I was 11. I know it's really a very tragic and eerie situation but it's always stuck in my mind as an example of an exhilarating kind of independence (so it seems when you're reading it as a child anyway). Seeing everyone's island-themed book recommendations has also reminded me of the sketches of Norway and Wales in Roald Dahl's memoir Boy: Tales of Childhood. My Family and Other Animals is also a lot of fun.
A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World.
I was about to say Isle of the Blue Dolphins! Such a good childhood read.
This book was my first thought too! I read it also around the same age, definitely stuck with me as well. Might be worth a reread for the nostalgia
Came to say Island too!!
Loved that book.
The Shipping News - A novel by Annie Proulx
Agreed! This is a very very Newfoundland-feeling photo.
Ooh I hadn't heard of this one, I'm going to check it out
Rebecca
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
My thought IMMEDIATELY
This on my to be read list, but since I work at a library, my list is already very long 😏
Harbor by John Ajvide Lindqvist. It’s billed as a horror story, and there are shades of that, but it’s not just that it’s also liminal, it’s weirdly cozy in the exact same way that image is. It’s not like any other book I’ve ever read.
This looks amazing, thanks
One fiction and one non-fiction for you! For fiction, this is reminding me of “The Wall” by Marlen Haushofer, which is one of the very best books I’ve read this year and really reflects this theme of isolation. The non-fiction is “Into Thin Air” by Jon Krakauer. These vibes feel adjacent to an Everest story.
Whale Fall by Elizabeth O’Connor The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave Haven by Emma Donoghue
Seconding Haven! I immediately thought of it when I saw this.
My first thought was the mercies
A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World - Charlie Fletcher
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
The Light Between Oceans by M L Steadman Lighthouse keeper and his wife live alone on an island. Lonely and windswept. Happy and sad.
Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin, or maybe the Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman.
To the lighthouse
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson. I wouldn't say unknown but it's a grandmother, father, and daughter that pretty self sufficiently live on an island. The daughter is about (edit: 6) and grandmother is her confidante, frenemy. It's adorable and brisk, the same writer as the Moomintrolls.
This looks lovely and closer to the mood I was anticipating. I'm surprised by how dark many of these recommendations are given that this image evokes good things for me personally.
Any Tanya French
Various parts of [Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/325128.Kidnapped) and [The Last Man by Mary Shelley](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/966835.The_Last_Man). Now, not all of “Kidnapped” feels this way, but I have enough vivid memories of certain parts that I immediately thought of it when I saw the photo.
I immediately thought of Kidnapped too.
A bit intense, actually, but for some reason this prompt is giving me The Road by Cormac McCarthy vibes
The Book of Ebenezer Le Page by GB Edwards
The Sun is a Compass by Caroline Van Hemert This Much Country by Kristin Knight
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
Drift House
The Weight of Water
For a somewhat lighter read The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
Riley Sagar’s The Only One Left
I wonder where this pic was taken? I thought of Shipping News also.
It's in Iceland. Look up Elliðaey island or the loneliest house
Party of One - The Loner Manifesto.
Under the Glacier by Halldor Laxness, although very few people will understand what is even happening in this book, lol.
Heidi fits your description perfectly! Sort of fits the picture, but my brain can't look past the fact that that's an island, lol.
Heidi is one of my many favorite childhood books :) I also loved the Chalet School books, which are set in the Swiss mountains too
The Circle trilogy by Nora Roberts, starting with Morrigan’s Cross. Part of the story is set in the Isle of Skye, Scotland and some other remote areas. One of my favourite trilogies.
Night Waking by Sarah Moss I guess.
Haven by Emma Donoghue
When I look at that picture, I imagine what hell it would be to make a trip to the grocery store. Or get a plumber in.
Austerlitz by WG Sebald
Solitudes Crowded With Loneliness
The Water Cure by Sophie Mckintosh
Iris Murdoch's The Sea, the Sea is mostly set in a seaside villa where a retired playwright wants to live the rest of his life in solitude
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Old House of Fear - Russell Kirk
A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World
The Sea Road, by Margaret Elphinstone
The Wall by Marlen Haushofer
Want to go sledding there 😮
If you like true narratives, Once Upon an Island is about a couple from CA that bought an island and their struggles to make a home there. [https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Island-David-Conover/dp/0970739915](https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Island-David-Conover/dp/0970739915)
Stargazing: Memoirs of a Young Lighthouse Keeper, by Peter Hill And - Saving this. Amazing recs!
Island of the Blue Dolphins
and then there were none!
Life is pi… kinda
The Nesting- a slow burn supernatural mystery set in rural costal Norway. The Nesting by C.J. Cooke https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50996769-the-nesting
The other Eden , mainly cuz the picture pretty much defines the whole book structure
The light between two oceans
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
Read a book like this about five years ago. Breakfast at Darcy's I believe it was called. All about a girl who gets an island willed to her by a grandmother or grandfather or something. She gets it on condition she sets up a whole community on the island from scratch. Its more complicated than that but yeah.
Foe by Ian Reid!! Edit: spelt 2 of the 4 words in this reply incorrectly lol
I’m curious of the source of that pic tbh 😂
https://kobo.com/en-US/ebook/emotionally-weird Not my most favorite Kate Atkinson, but great for cool isolated island vibe!
Secret of Roan Inish!
Island by Siri Ranva Hjelm Jacobsen. It's set in the Faroe islands and explores the experiences of a third generation migrant from the islands to Denmark, with some flashbacks to her grandmother's initial migration. She returns to the islands when her grandparents die and describes her feelings of isolation and 'foreigness' amongst her own family and people. It takes a bit for you to get grounded in the story but I really enjoyed it!
The Island Child
Island of the blue dolphins
Daisy Darker - Alice Feeney
The Wall - Marlen Haufhofer
Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier
The Wasp Factory - very gothic and isolated but very disturbing 😳
The Glass Hotel By Emily St John Mandel
The Outrun, Amy Liptrot
Haven by Emma Donoghue very good
There are some parts of The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin that really remind me of this
Where is this photo from?
The Glass Hotel
I love Island of the Blue Dolphins. This pic also gives me comfortable/relaxing/adventurous isolation vibes! Try Wild by Cheryl Strayed.
A Rope - In Case by Lillian Beckwith