This Other Eden by Paul Harding / Review

I've been meaning to read this novel since the beginning of the year and it did NOT disappoint. Click ‘Show More’ for info & links.
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Books discussed & purchase links:
This Other Eden - Paul Harding
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Washington Black - Esi Edugyan
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[@brendalogan7940]

Hello Eric. 👋 I too had all the feelings and emotions you felt while reading this book. I actually listened to the audiobook that was beautifully narrated by Edoardo Ballerini. From the moment of Esther Honey climbing the tree during the storm and holding up that material representing a flag to Zachary, towards the end of the book who is seen in the water wading off the channel chest deep in the water. “Zachary held what looked like an old faded and patched flag bundled and knotted together on the corners of his head… he looked like an angel abandoning a wrecked ship of which at once he had been a guardian. Light fanning across behind him as he pushed against the “incoming flood.” The incoming flood…..🌊

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thanks, you make me so intrigued to listen to the audio of the book.

[@maryklein7131]

Hi Eric…I just love your book reviews and recommendations. I am severely dyslexic and I am a,so a special ed teacher. My students always see a book on my desk and always sees me reading. I have purchased many books that you have recommended. Thank you

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Hello! Thanks so much and it’s heartening to hear that. 😊📚

[@loriwald9532]

I appreciate you exposing kids with dyslexia to books! My grandson has this and because of it shys away from picking them up. When he sees me reading, it peaks his interest.

[@davidde2208]

This was one of two books I read from the Booker short list. I don't remember the other one, but this one I absolutely loved and will long remember. I hope it wins the prize.

[@teresahild]

THIS! I can only hope it wins the Booker Prize! Incredible work, so moving. Tears suddenly sprung from my eyes.

[@GregHarness]

I really enjoyed this book. It is such a heartbreaking book. Yet it is so beautifully written and portrays such beautiful characters and landscapes. And the descriptions of the drawings and paintings are stunning. I’m glad you finally got a chance to read this one.

[@neetupd8510]

One such book that sat on my shelf unread for almost a year was (just finished it yesterday) Five Little Indians by Michelle Good... It's about the lives of 5 native Americans after they leave residential school in which they go through tough times... Highly recommended it😊

[@annetteholman2999]

I thought this book was splendid and hoped it would win the Booker. It did not but still retains a special place in my heart, a unique, tragic, tender tale.

[@omalleysmith9100]

I loved this book, and for some of the same reasons, although I'm not from Maine. lol... I just love a book that has quirky characters, a remote location, survival story, magical realism, small town community vibes. Paul Harding gave me all that plus his beautiful writing style. I think this book would make a great television series. The book I have on my shelf that's been sitting the longest unread is probably "Circe" by Madeline Miller. lol I'll get to it one day.

[@EricCantori]

It's wonderful to hear someone experience a book exactly how I did. I didn't know what to expect when I started Eden and I was blown away by the story and the writing. A great allegory for understanding and accepting communities that are different from ours. Is it the best book on the short list? Not sure but think it's a sleeper for the award and a worthwhile read regardless.

[@bobbykeniston7240]

I live in Maine, and felt woefully ignorant about the subject. I admired the book, and how it almost felt like an epic even though it is a rather short novel. The book has certainly stuck in me since finishing it.

[@ahbooks3]

I have seen quite a few reviews of this book and it's got a mixed response. A lot of reviewers seem not to get along with the writing style and biblical influence. Your review has bumped it up my TBR list

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

Great to hear your thoughts. “All the Pauls” are on my list. I like how you talk about Washington Black as well. 😊💙

[@SelinaAllinson]

Ah I'm so happy you finally got to read this one! It took me a while to get to it too. And to be honest, I didn't initially gel with it, but then when I did, I found it to be so beautifully written and so very moving. I really admired how in such a relatively short novel there was so much packed in to it to savour and think about, written in the most exquisite way. It just really stood out for me and was definitely one of my top reads of the year. If it won the Booker I'd also be very happy. You made so many great points about it that I hadn't considered. Thank you. I have SO many books that I keep meaning to get to! Too many to name but high up on my list are Trust, Mrs Engles, To Paradise and Matrix. I never got round to reading Luster either. Lots to be getting on with!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thanks, Selina! I'm glad you found it so impactful as well. There were a lot of characters and issues in there but I think he pulls it off by showing the residents' day to day lives in a poetic manner. Those books you have on your TBR are all fantastic so whenever you get to them be assured you'll have a great reading experience! 😊📚

[@christinemiller6275]

I read Tinkers, Hardings Pulitzer winning book, a few weeks ago, and fell in love with the prose of this multigenerational novel. I had the same experience reading This Other Eden. I loved the characters and the story in this book. I found the racism and bigotry in this book very visceral and disturbing.

[@janethansen9612]

I loved the writing though it took a while to get into the rhythm of it. His earlier novel Tinker won the Pulitzer, and Greg from Supposedly Fun has a great video around the story of that. I would read more of Paul Harding's writing in the future.

[@user-yg6ft1iu1i]

Also my copy has been sitting waiting for me as well, butCold Comfort Farm or Collective Sun has been waiting, maybe the longest

[@douggordy]

It was #3 in my Booker longlist rankings, but since my top 2 (In Ascension and House of Doors) didn't make the shortlist, it is now the one I am rooting for to win. Only a couple hours to go ...

[@jamesduggan7200]

Well, can anyone resist the gentle dignity of a prose writer who gently embeds you in a sensory experience?

[@bookofdust]

I’m still struggling with what I feel about this book, especially it’s promotion of having brought this event to the forefront. About a decade ago the YA book Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy covered very similar ground, and to my memory did it much better. The book won Honors in both the Newbery and the Printz awards, which was unprecedented and may be the only time it’s happened yet. It’s a very small window for a book to be eligible for both of those awards. That acknowledges the acclaim that was received and again the prominence for bringing such an egregious dark period in American History to light. As someone with close ties to Maine you may want to read it yourself and compare them. I’m embarking on a children’s/ya reread project next year and plan to read it again myself.

[@tracys.mitnaul-xv7te]

Washington Black was so good!

[@mradcaqbdb]

I loved this book too!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

So glad you agree!

[@fergalohearga9594]

It's an excellent book, and a good return to form after the puzzling diversion of Enon. And you're right to point out that he doesn't make life on the island out a paradise that the big bad government come to disrupt, rather, like most things, there are fuzzy ambiguities and hardly ever a simple good/bad binary choice.

[@KierTheScrivener]

I think I have a natural distrust of white authors writing a book so centered on race and removal, I'vw been stung too many times. So I've never been inclined to read it but I apperciates your review it makes me a few inches closer to giving it a chance

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I understand your concern, but (as many critics have argued well) any writer who writes with sympathy and respect should be able to write any character. There are issues and pitfalls which can easily be fallen into. In my opinion, Harding does an admirable job at representing these figures and reimagining them as characters.

[@spexi513]

📖 🪱 💚

[@mashamj]

This is literally me with young mungo 🫠🥲 But I would say partially I am also afraid to read it and be disappointed, I loved Shuggie Bain so much 😢 that it will be hard to reach that bar

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I get it! 😅That's understandable but I don't think you'll be disappointed by Young Mungo.