This Other Eden

In 1792, formerly enslaved Benjamin Honey and his Irish wife, Patience, discover an uninhabited island off the coast of Maine and decide to make it their home. Nearly 100 years later, their descendants are isolated and poor, but safe from the prejudices of the outside world. Then, in 1912, schoolteacher-turned-missionary Matthew Diamond visits the island and disturbs its peace. Attracting the attention of mainland authorities, Honey’s descendants are forcibly removed and institutionalized, and the island is developed as a vacation spot. Pulitzer Prize winner Harding (Tinkers) offers a lyrical novel that fictionalizes an actual event in American history and reveals the horrors of racism, eugenics, and the destruction of a way of life. Edoardo Ballerini offers an atmospheric and heartfelt narration, giving voice to the island’s residents and channeling their struggle and grief. From the first generation to inhabit the island to the descendants being forced to adapt to life on the mainland, listeners will be captivated by their story—their desire to live peacefully, and their resilience in the face of an uncertain future.