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zarlynsnook's review
mysterious
reflective
- Strong character development? No
3.5
This book that has intrigued me with its premise did not quiet gave what I was expecting. I love that it is written in first person POV and I took away a lot of wisdom from this book especially about our society.
But in general, reading this book was not a satisfying experience for me. The characterization fell of that I just don't see the point of them in the book at all. There could possibly be a lot of elements on this book that got lost in translation,I always take this factor in consideration when reading and reviewing translated works.
But in general, reading this book was not a satisfying experience for me. The characterization fell of that I just don't see the point of them in the book at all. There could possibly be a lot of elements on this book that got lost in translation,I always take this factor in consideration when reading and reviewing translated works.
abbie_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my free digital ARC!
On the Isle of Antioch is a quiet, philosophical take on the dystopian novel. It's written as journal entries by a cartoonist who lives alone, save for his one neighbour, on a remote island called Antioch. One seemingly normal day, the power goes out and the radio emits only a high-pitched whistling. It's revealed that the US president has been contacted by a people called the Empedocles, apparent descendents of the ancient Greeks, with the offer to destroy all the world's nuclear weapons to avoid an imminent catastrophe. The Empedocles' science is far beyond our own, and the world is on the brink of a complete overhaul.
I'm not sure I completely got everything that was being put down, but I enjoyed this thought-provoking read nonetheless. I've read other reviews with the critique that the book glorifies colonialism, but I felt like it was more of a warning. Given the author's Franco-Lebanese background, I would also find this surprising. The book explores the idea of the world as it is now being confronted with a 'superior' race of beings. The US, the traditional coloniser, now finds itself on the brink of being colonised itself. I found the role reversal to be a warning of such ideas, of one group of people believing themselves and their culture to be 'above' another's.
I've also read reviews on Netgalley critiquing the translation, but I personally found it engaging and natural to read. My own critique is that some things felt too convenient. Alec, the cartoonist, has a friend very conveniently placed in the US president's entourage. He just phones him up and the friend gives him all the details of what's going on with no care for security clearance or the like... Likewise his relationship with his neighbour Eve goes from cold to very intimate too quickly.
In terms of making you think though, I would recommend!
On the Isle of Antioch is a quiet, philosophical take on the dystopian novel. It's written as journal entries by a cartoonist who lives alone, save for his one neighbour, on a remote island called Antioch. One seemingly normal day, the power goes out and the radio emits only a high-pitched whistling. It's revealed that the US president has been contacted by a people called the Empedocles, apparent descendents of the ancient Greeks, with the offer to destroy all the world's nuclear weapons to avoid an imminent catastrophe. The Empedocles' science is far beyond our own, and the world is on the brink of a complete overhaul.
I'm not sure I completely got everything that was being put down, but I enjoyed this thought-provoking read nonetheless. I've read other reviews with the critique that the book glorifies colonialism, but I felt like it was more of a warning. Given the author's Franco-Lebanese background, I would also find this surprising. The book explores the idea of the world as it is now being confronted with a 'superior' race of beings. The US, the traditional coloniser, now finds itself on the brink of being colonised itself. I found the role reversal to be a warning of such ideas, of one group of people believing themselves and their culture to be 'above' another's.
I've also read reviews on Netgalley critiquing the translation, but I personally found it engaging and natural to read. My own critique is that some things felt too convenient. Alec, the cartoonist, has a friend very conveniently placed in the US president's entourage. He just phones him up and the friend gives him all the details of what's going on with no care for security clearance or the like... Likewise his relationship with his neighbour Eve goes from cold to very intimate too quickly.
In terms of making you think though, I would recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
alpal_collective's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
nicole_bookmarked's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
In "On the Isle of Antioch," Amin Maalouf presents a dystopian world grappling with a total social collapse and the enigmatic arrival of the Empedocles, figures from ancient Greek mythology who possess the ability to cure all illnesses. The story centers on Alec, an illustrator, and Eve, a writer, the only residents of the Isle of Antioch, an isolated archipelago near France. Their experiences offer a microcosmic view of the broader, chaotic world events and the profound impact of the Empedocles on human knowledge, identity, and dignity.
As a reader, I found the novel's premise intriguing and its philosophical depth compelling. However, the narrative left me with unanswered questions about the origins and motivations of the Empedocles, which somewhat diminished my satisfaction. Despite this, the novel's unique blend of mystery and speculative elements makes it an engaging read. I give it three stars, appreciating its thought-provoking content but desiring a deeper exploration of its fascinating world.
Thank you to #NetGalley and World Editions for an e-ARC of this novel in exchange for this honest review! :)
As a reader, I found the novel's premise intriguing and its philosophical depth compelling. However, the narrative left me with unanswered questions about the origins and motivations of the Empedocles, which somewhat diminished my satisfaction. Despite this, the novel's unique blend of mystery and speculative elements makes it an engaging read. I give it three stars, appreciating its thought-provoking content but desiring a deeper exploration of its fascinating world.
Thank you to #NetGalley and World Editions for an e-ARC of this novel in exchange for this honest review! :)
page100's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thank you to Net Galley and World Editions for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
On the Isle of Antioch takes place on a small and isolated archipelago, where a comic artist has settled. It is told through his daily diary entries, which can be difficult to pull off, but the author seems to have no trouble creating a believable voice. The description is a bit misleading, his island is inhabited by just him and one other person, but they have access to a larger island through a causeway at low-tide. It is not so much of a doomsday armageddon tale as I first thought. He and Eve (the other Antioch settler) do form a stronger relationship because of the technology blackout, however he forms relationships with others on the island, as well as welcomes his niece and her boyfriend to the island later in the novel.
I thought the "friends of Empedocles" were a very fresh take on the idea of a more advanced group of beings coming into contact with our society. I enjoyed the political allegory involved when considering how the USA (an otherwise untouched global superpower) would react if they were unseated from their position in the world.
I also bought in to the love story, and specifically enjoyed how it seemed to form naturally. This quote exemplifies this energy the two main characters have between them:
‘How to resist the urge to believe her? How to resist the urge to love her?’
Unfortunately, I didn't quite like the turn the story took where (Eve became pregnant ). I thought it felt patched onto the end where it wasn't entirely necessary.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was captivating, and I wanted to continue learning with the characters about the mysterious new people who had suddenly emerged. I will definitely be reading more of Maalouf's work.
On the Isle of Antioch takes place on a small and isolated archipelago, where a comic artist has settled. It is told through his daily diary entries, which can be difficult to pull off, but the author seems to have no trouble creating a believable voice. The description is a bit misleading, his island is inhabited by just him and one other person, but they have access to a larger island through a causeway at low-tide. It is not so much of a doomsday armageddon tale as I first thought. He and Eve (the other Antioch settler) do form a stronger relationship because of the technology blackout, however he forms relationships with others on the island, as well as welcomes his niece and her boyfriend to the island later in the novel.
I thought the "friends of Empedocles" were a very fresh take on the idea of a more advanced group of beings coming into contact with our society. I enjoyed the political allegory involved when considering how the USA (an otherwise untouched global superpower) would react if they were unseated from their position in the world.
I also bought in to the love story, and specifically enjoyed how it seemed to form naturally. This quote exemplifies this energy the two main characters have between them:
‘How to resist the urge to believe her? How to resist the urge to love her?’
Unfortunately, I didn't quite like the turn the story took where (
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was captivating, and I wanted to continue learning with the characters about the mysterious new people who had suddenly emerged. I will definitely be reading more of Maalouf's work.
laure_frompariswithbooks's review
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Thank you to Netgalley and World Editions for a copy of this book.
Alec is a press artist choosing an isolated life on a remote island, the only other inhabitant, fellow recluse, Ève. A sudden powercut finds them cut of from the rest off the world; global nuclear war and the collapse of civilisation seems imminent.
Then comes of the appearance of more evolved humans, 'The Friends of Empedocles', claiming they have the ability to cure any disease.
This book introduces many interesting ideas, but thanks to the writing style, I feel like they're not properly and I frequently found myself bored and unable to care about the plot.
In summary: great ideas, poor execution.
Alec is a press artist choosing an isolated life on a remote island, the only other inhabitant, fellow recluse, Ève. A sudden powercut finds them cut of from the rest off the world; global nuclear war and the collapse of civilisation seems imminent.
Then comes of the appearance of more evolved humans, 'The Friends of Empedocles', claiming they have the ability to cure any disease.
This book introduces many interesting ideas, but thanks to the writing style, I feel like they're not properly and I frequently found myself bored and unable to care about the plot.
In summary: great ideas, poor execution.
scootoquinto's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0