Customer Reviews

ISLAND.

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Much as I enjoy Perry's Jane Whitfield tales, I regret that his wonderful pre-Jane novels are almost all out of print: Butcher's Boy, Big Fish, Metzger's Dog, and especially Island. These books all side with hard-boiled yet intrepid, dryly humorous (sometimes hilarious) bands of petty larcenists stealing from even worse characters than themselves. Island has a married couple absconding with the Mob's money, which they use to create a pile of garbage on a sandbar somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle. They then announce the creation of a new nation (and tax haven), import some Native North Americans for an instant indigenous population, and they're off. Complications ensue as the years pass, bigger fish take an interest in Harry and Margaret's scam, and the islanders start forgetting it's all a scheme and begin to get downright patriotic about their tiny island paradise--much to Harry's consternation. Perry has rarely shown the whimsical touch and dry humor in his Whitfield stories as he did in Island and his other early works. I advise anyone finding a mystery-themes used book store to hoover up any old Perry volumes you can find...

Island is possibly one of the best caper mysteries ever. Certainly the best I've ever read. Thomas Perry has the unique gift of creating both interesting characters and an engaging and complex thriller/caper plot. His other books are all must reads but this one is a stand alone as we watch how a group of con-artists running from the mob attempt to pull off one of the biggest cons ever-- it's not everyone who can make their own country.

Island is a masterpiece of adventure, suspense, charm, and of all things - nation building - literally! I can't understand why they haven't made a movie of it(Johnny Depp as Harry?). I read constantly in almost every genre and Island remains my all time favorite.

This book is one of a kind. Its heroes are con men but it is not a crime novel. It involves spies and invading armies but it is not a thriller.

Perhaps the best clue is the beginning quotation, which is from Thomas More's UTOPIA. This book is about the perfect country, as desgned by a con man. It is hilarious, suspenseful, and a good, thoughtful, read.

This is an excellent book. I had read Pursuit and was looking for something to read. I picked up Island and loved it. The story is highly original and not predictable. If your looking for a book that will have you engrossed pick this book up.

I discovered Thomas Perry with the book "Metzger's Dog" - which I still count as one of the most enjoyable reads that I've ever had - and just LOVE the "Island"! Talk about the success of the Underdog! For all of us who have fought one or more bureaucracies - and LOST - you will find yourself cheering for the characters in this book. The other thought that comes to mind is that if you can dream it - it will come - a new country from a waterlogged island!!

Grab the book; grab your favorite liquid and favorite chair; be prepared to enter a world where you can cheer for success for all the characters in this book. Hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

I loved this tale. The old adage of 'build it and they will come' turned into a reality and more than Harry and Emma ever envisioned. Thomas Perry is a fantastic author. I love his novels, especially the Jane Whitefield series; Metzger's Dog(Hilarious), Butcher Boy and Sleeping Dogs. You will love his villians. I agree with the other reviewers. The Island is a fantastic story. I am glad I purchased this hard to find book. I passed it along on paperbackswap.com and can only hope it continues to make the rounds and isn't being squirreled away and hoarded by someone. This is a book definitely worthy of sharing.

I love Mr Perry as an author, he has sarcasm, he has wit and his characters have a "Real person feel" to them. I love "Island" because the Harry and Emma characters are such appealing people. "Metzgers Dog", another Perry creation, has the same effect on me. It's all good.