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The Islands

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The Islands

By: Di Morrissey
Narrated by: Kate Hood
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About this listen

It's the psychedelic '70s and social conventions are being challenged. When Catherine Moreland from rural Australia goes on her first trip abroad, a handsome American naval officer sweeps her off her feet and she goes to live in beautiful, romantic Hawaii with her new husband.

At first, the magic and loveliness of the Islands lead Catherine to believe she is living in paradise. She befriends Kiann'e, a traditional dancer; Eleanor, the owner of the legendary Palm Grove Hotel; Lester, a reclusive old surfer; and royal Beatrice, leading the fight to maintain Hawaii's heritage and culture. However, as Catherine learns more about the islands, she begins to discover that paradise has a darker side. And when she meets a mystery man of the sea, as though hit by a tsunami her life is turned upside down and changed forever.

©2003 Sarah Napthali (P)2008 Bolinda Publishing Historical Fiction Fiction

Editorial reviews

"Pungent air", "sweet wind", and the lilting sound of steel guitars waft through this romantic novel of Hawaii. Performer Kate Hood’s pleasant Australian accent and perfect diction carry the listener through this land where nearly all is magic.

Di Morrissey, arguably Australia’s most popular female writer, specializes in women who seek themselves in remote and beautiful places. Catherine Moreland, the heroine of this audiobook who follows an American naval officer to Hawaii during the 1970s, is no different. Fans of memoirs like Eat, Pray, Love may find something to enjoy in this made-up account of soul-seeking and the characters that populate the journey.
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Loved everything about the story. The nostalgia and life in Hawaii in the 70's. The narrator was so annoying with her babyish voice for Catherine and I loved the story so much, that I bought the Kindle version, to enjoy the story in more detail and to make it last longer and without the annoying narration of Catherine, but she was good with all the other characters and the rest of the story. I then went back to the Audible version just to listen to the extracts of The Waterman, which I skipped in the Kindle version

True to life & Nostalgic

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I loved this book. Di Morrissey always tells a good story. I couldn't get to it quickly enough, or for long enough. The descriptive paragraphs really captured my imagination. Having finished it, I realized that what seemed to be advertising for another book, was actually the telling of Lester's story, and I had skipped past it. Overall it is a terrific story, filled with nostalgia for my teenage years of sun, sand and surf. 5 Stars.

Nostalgic story of sun, sand and surf.

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Di has a way of bringing you right into the story straight away. Great. Fantastic

Great story

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Awesome book. Very historically accurate, great emotion in the audio. Loved every second of this book. Great author and narrator.

Historically interesting

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I absolutely loved the book couldn't put it down
not so keen on the narrator

loved it

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This is one of my favourite books and have read it 3 times, thought I would give the audio format a try but Very disappointed in the narrator. Unfortunately so many mispronunciations. Narrator needed to research the Hawaiian words more thoroughly.

Love the book.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.