The Return - did Victoria Hislop get one of her children to write it?

[MrsMuddle]

I read The Island for my book group last year and enjoyed the story, if not the writing. I had no inclination to read another one of her books, but DS bought me The Return for my birthday, and he's been desperate for me to read it, so I took it on holiday.

The story is predictable and unbelievable at the same time, although the history of the Spanish civil war was mildly interesting, but the book reads like it was written by self-absorbed 14 year old.

For a start, it's about 200 pages too long, and it's full of cliches and over-elaborate descripions - it's like one of DS's essays when he's been told to use more adjectives!

I honestly can't remember when I last read such a badly written (or perhaps edited?) book. VH is probably a very good storyteller, but a crap writer.

Has anyone else read this?

I was given it but couldn't finish it, too boring. Only got a few pages in but the plot seemed too similar to the Island: young woman with boorish partner goes to med to find herself, plus understand her mysterious greek/spanish mother's past. Dad is nice, food is good, history lesson is absorbed. yawn.

Oh dear, was going to start this tonight will i just put it straight in the charity bag?? (FWIW I loved the Island and everyone on here hated it).

Trouble is that I cannot not finish a book, no matter how dire it is

mosschops, when I reached 40, I decided that life was too short to finish crap books, and I felt liberated when I realised that I didn't have to plough on to the end. Although, there have only been two that I've not finished - Capatain C's Mandolin and The Accidental.

If you really, really, really can't not finish a book, then I'd advise you to put it straight in the charity bag. It really is that bad.

mosschops did you read it or put it straight in the charity bag?

Loved the island thought the return was dissapointing (sp?) too

oh dear I bought that on Monday from a charity shop, maybe it was yours!

tried to read it twice, couldn't get past the first couple of chapters....cringy writing...but I did get into The Island

Was it about leprosy?

The Island was about leprosy, yes. And The Return is about dancing / Spanish Civil War.

I only read a couple of chapters then donated it to our local library. I enjoyed The Island though and bought this on the strength of it. Probably wouldn't pick up another one of hers if there ever is one.

Lepers = The Island (which I quite liked too, she whispers)

The Return = Spanish civil war (which I haven't read)

Cross-post MrsMuddle!

why?

"The story is predictable and unbelievable at the same time... the book reads like it was written by self-absorbed 14 year old"

That sounds exactly like The Island Our book club was unanimous (for the 2nd time ever) re this book - all 10 of us hated it and were that it was even printed. One of our friends started writing a book after reading The Island because "surely it can't be that hard to get published in a world where this drivel was printed"

oh i liked the island!! the return nd all the others shit tho