A portrait of Fred Fay follows an outwardly successful but selfish man's descent into alcoholism and failure and his slow, difficult recovery into a wholly new and meaningful life.
Island: A Novel
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In-depth character development distinguishes this gripping first novel of one man's harrowing, lifelong journey towards self-discovery. The pseudonymous author, a nonfiction writer who completed the manuscript before his death in 1992, shows no trace of inexperience with fiction in his polished narrative. He chronicles the climb of insecure, status-conscious Fred Fay from a Dickensian childhood to apparent success as a Princeton undergraduate in the 1930s, a Madison Avenue advertising executive, a WW II Air Force intelligence officer and a wealthy Manhattan socialite. In a series of reluctantly introspective sessions with his therapist, M. J. Hennerkop, Fay examines the superficiality of his achievements and the inevitability of his downfall through self-destructiveness and alcoholism. Fired, divorced, estranged from his friends and mistress, Fred grapples with his inability to give or receive love. Childhood memories resurface of an abandoned island near the small New England town of his birth. Against Hennerkop's advice, he leaves New York and purchases the island, intending to make it his home and refuge. The novel's second half recounts his experiences there and in the nearby town of Lincoln Harbor, where he will make a new life. Abbot writes evocatively of every phase in his memorable protagonist's odyssey. An improbably upbeat denouement proves disappointing but does not vitiate an otherwise convincing, insightful and eminently readable tale.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
This is the only work of fiction by Abbott, the pseudonym of a nonfiction writer who died in 1992. The story focuses on Frederick Fay, son of a poor New England minister, who manages to attend Princeton on scholarship and even stars on the track team. After military service in England during World War II, Fay begins his simultaneous rise up the advertising and social ladders in New York City and descent into alcoholism; the drinking eventually costs him his job, wife, and lover. Desperate to save himself, Fay moves to a tiny resort town, the site of one of his few pleasant youthful memories. Over the next few years, he gets a job requiring lots of physical labor, becomes a property owner and businessman, helps several other alcoholics, and learns to love. Rich in character and language, this is one of those rare novels the reader hates to see come to an end. Buy wherever good fiction is read.
- A.J. Wright, Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- A.J. Wright, Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A tale of heartwarming & inspirational search for happiness.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Island (Hardcover)
A wonderful story of a man who goes from emotional rags to riches. The dialogue and relationships in this story are extremely funny, touching and real. You can not help but feel Fred's pain, struggle, courage and ultimate success. Although found in many libraries, this book somehow slipped through the commercial crack and is unavailable for purchase. A great read!
5.0 out of 5 stars
A WONDERFUL SURPRISE,
By Beebrain "John" (Nevada City, CA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Island (Hardcover)
I picked up Charles Abbott's "Island" at random at the library and not far into it was captivated. Its a great book that documents, with insightful detail, the rise and fall and resurrection of a man who could easily be you or I. I read a lot and would put this near the top of my list of favorites.Island
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