The Island by Victoria Hislop

via www.youtube.com

l  am profoundly touched and grateful to Victoria Hislop who decided to trust the TV series based on her book "The Island" to a Greek TV channel - Mega Channel. I had read the book while on holiday in Kefallonia 2 years ago and was hooked on it. I finished it in two days. As Louise France says in her review in The Observer: "Her message seems as relevant today as it would have been a century ago. Same prejudice, different disease."  The first episode of the TV series on Monday filled me with awe. Excellent casting and amazing photography. More importantly, I felt that the series conveys all those wonderful messages of love, strength and encouragement that Victoria Hislop communicates through her book. "The Island" is not just another beach book. It's a masterpiece!

Photo Credit

TV Ratings were impressive: 45% in Cyprus and about 72% in Greece. No other TV show or series has ever beaten these ratings before in Greece and Cyprus.

Have you read Victoria Hislop's "The Island?"  Your opinion matters.

Comments

[Constantinos]

This is one of the best books I've read in the last five years, so I couldn't miss the tv series. I loved everything: the settings, the acting, the photography. Also the costumes are superb! Although I don't watch much tv, I don't think I'll miss an episode of Greece's most ambitious tv series.

[Christina]

I had also read the book before and loved it. Hard to describe my feelings when I watched the first episode - just breathtaking!

[Karolina]

Thanks for posting the trailer, Anastasia. I missed the first episode but I hope to be able to watch the rest. Haven't read the book yet.

[Laura]

I've already read The Island - a remarkable novel with a riveting and intense plot. Not many novels have the ability to completely immerse the reader, but this one draws you into the story from the very first page. Naturally I couldn't resist watching the trailer even though I don't understand greek.

[Agnes]

never read the book but your post and the comments here are making me want to!!

[Stefania]

What really put tears in my eyes was the moment when Eleni discovers the signs of leprosy on her legs and the way she told her children. I haven't read the book yet but I am going to buy it and start reading it at the weekend.

[Alexia M]

Judging from the comments and The Observer review, this must be a great book. I will put it on my reading list.

[Jim]

Victoria Hislop's first novel "The Island" is an international bestseller. It was selected for the Richard and Judy Summer Read, and won Victoria the "Newcomer of the Year" Award at the Galaxy British Book Awards 2007. It has been translated into more than a dozen languages. But beyond all awards, there's this gripping tale dealing with real-life situations: the way family life can be disrupted because of Hansen's disease (leprosy). And , of course, I'm glad to hear that Hislop's first novel has been dramatized for television in Greece.

[Sophia]

I loved the book so much that I wouldn't miss the first episode of the series for anything. Besides, it's a long time we haven't seen any quality series on tv.

[Lakis Ioannou]

The series is one of the most expensive television shows in Greek television history with a budget of 4 million euros. Victoria Hislop had previously received offers from Hollywood as high as £300,000 for the movie rights to the novel, but she turned them down instead giving the rights to the Greek Mega Channel for a fraction of the cost in return for some artistic control. In my very humble opinion, The Island by Victoria Hislop is not just a best selling novel internationally - it is a work of art. And I hear that the TV series has been nominated at the film festival of Cannes, France.