Customer Reviews

Island Madness

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

 

 

Tim Binding's book sets as its scene the German occupation of Guernsey during the Second World War. The people, who differ from the mainland English due to their former French identity, are made to live with their occupants in 'harmony'. This is something that some characters find easy to do while others struggle at it. Some, however, do it for convenience and to raise their social standing. The novel questions the moral decisions these characters make in a world which is distorted and unreal, making the entire question of morality warped as the island is camptured in a time when nothing feels real. What the would have decided at peacetime is not something they will opt for in times of trouble. Binding's novel is illuminating in exploring the human condition, and the prioritisation of values which bring out the true nature of a human being in crisis. A good read.

This seems to be an alternative title for "Lying with the Enemy." Same picture on cover, etc. Do wish they'd warn us so we don't wind up with 2 copies of the same book--just different titles.

Very interesting,well-written book about the WW2 occupation by the Nazis of the Channel Islands for the duration of the war. Very human story-well presented-an excellent read that holds one's interest to the very end.

The situation that the Guernsey islanders found themselves during WW II is presented. The murder of a girl who had collaborated with the occupiers seems interesting until the murderer and motive are revealed, and then that ALL falls flat. The solution was very unsatisfying as was the aftermath. I felt that much of the writing was disjointed. The author seems intent on giving personalities and backgrounds for characters that go on interminably for pages and with few periods or paragraphs, often with little reason for the hundreds of minifacts related. I read the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society which piqued my interest in the Channel Islands during that time. Loved that book. The book seems to have 2 titles: Lying with the Enemy and Island Madness. Can't imagine why. Lying with the Enemy seems the best to me.