“This Other Eden” by Paul Harding
Set in 1911, a small island situated a few hundred yards from the American coast is the location for this unusual story which is worryingly based on historical events. Hardly idyllic, it is a tough life the inhabitants endure; impoverished, with minimal schooling for the children these residents are descendants of the founders of the community some 100 hundred years earlier.
The original settlers, Benjamin Honey, born enslaved of mixed race and his Irish wife Patience create an apple orchard and manage to scrape a living together. Their descendants now inhabit the island together with a mixed assembly of eccentric neighbours. The author’s imagination has certainly produced a diverse cast which explains but does not justify the events in the story.
The Authorities on the mainland eye the island with disdain. Though the locals use the island-folk to do their laundry and menial other tasks, the backward state of the island is seen as a stain on the locality. The inter-breeding amongst the inhabitants and quality of life drives local dignitaries to plan their expulsion and the depopulation of the island is scheduled with little or no consideration.
Esther, her son Eha and grandson Ethan, and his sisters are the main characters, the three children are pupils of the rudimentary school run by a missionary Matthew Diamond who manages to bring out the best and hidden depths within his pupils. Latin, Maths and Art being three areas where some of the children excel.
It is Ethan’s artistic prowess that leads the novel off the island for a period as we follow his route to study at college, all arranged by Matthew Diamond. Ethan’s appearance is white enabling him to venture into a wider society; it is his experiences away from the island that highlights the core of the novel which is centred on the mixed race population of Apple Island.
The other residents of the island furnish the book with a plethora of unusual characters; their names in their own right are somewhat bizarre. The diversity of these individuals all add to the story of Esther, and what she has experienced living on the island her whole life.
The closing events as The Authorities fulfil their plans are graphically recounted but the conclusion of the book does provide a twist – I can say no more!
