Overview

1873. A desert island. A family of settlers, and a series of shocking events that turn their world upside down. A vulnerable young boy goes missing as the same time as an indentured team of young men arrive on the island to work. The dark history of the island, and the trading in people is brought to the fore as the two cultures clash. The teenage sister of the missing boy, and their charismatic, domineering father must choose their allegiance. Making the wrong choice will have fatal consequences ...

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9781785761867

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Reviews

Syson brings history alive * Observer * The writing is powerful, the events terrifying * Bookbag * Beautifully written * Guardian * Compelling story of politics, passion, bravery and love * Book Trust * This is a thrilling story about a corner of the world I knew almost nothing of. A story of love and courage, brutality and hope all told with equal measures of deep humanity, imagination and elan. Lydia Syson has an amazing gift of bringing history alive through richness of language, dramatic pace and fabulous visual imagery. This is better than watching a film! -- Anne Sebba

Syson brings history alive * Observer * The writing is powerful, the events terrifying * Bookbag * Beautifully written * Guardian * Compelling story of politics, passion, bravery and love * Book Trust * A thrilling story of love and courage, brutality and hope all told with equal measures of deep humanity, imagination and elan. Lydia Syson has an amazing gift of bringing history alive through richness of language, dramatic pace and fabulous visual imagery. This is better than watching a film! -- Anne Sebba Swiss Family Robinson meets Lord of the Flies in Lydia Syson's superb and engrossing book. This scintillating story evokes an island paradise which descends into a nightmarish hell as Mr Peacock's Possessions builds towards a shocking revelation and a thrilling climax. * WENDY MOORE * Syson's eye for character is immediate - her narrative voice reaching out from the page and grabbing the reader from the off. They're drawn into a small but compelling community, one full of interesting characters and complicated relationships that only becomes more intriguing as the book goes on...Syson brings things to a climax that's as rewarding as it is moving - and allows her to examine community, youth and family in a beautifully drawn setting. * The Bookbag *

Syson brings history alive * Observer * The writing is powerful, the events terrifying * Bookbag * Beautifully written * Guardian * Compelling story of politics, passion, bravery and love * Book Trust *

Author Information

Lydia Syson is a fifth-generation North Londoner who now lives south of the river with her partner and four children. After an early career as a BBC World Service Radio producer, she turned from the spoken to the written word, and developed an enduring obsession with history, including her family history: Lydia's anarchist great-great-grandmother moved in Communard circles in late 19th century London. Read more about Lydia and her books at www.lydiasyson.com or on Twitter: @lydiasyson

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