This Other Eden: A Testament of Love & Resilience, You'll Weep

- a novel by Paul Harding.

Where do I begin with this one? One of the best books I have had the pleasure of reading and of knowing. A fiction, closely based and inspired by a real-life mixed-race island community off the coast of Maine–Malaga Island, from its settlement to its demise at the hands of the State of Maine. This Other Eden is just, point-blank, brilliant and full of biblical imagery and metaphors.

The small Apple Island serves as a refuge for castaways escaping societal judgment and scrutiny. Those who inhabit it include Benjamin Honey, a former enslaved man, and his Irish wife, Patience. They established a life together, escaping the harsh realities of the world beyond the water. Their descendants continue to reside on the island. They create a vibrant tapestry of community characterized by their diversity. But after inhabiting Apple Island for six generations, the small, multi-racial community face the authorities who decide its time to “cleanse” them.

Paul Harding- salute to his impressive ability to convey raw emotion!!  The characters become so real and their resilience is amazing. To me, the island in the story, Apple Island, is a symbol of purity in a way, and the outside world is the sin that invades and destroys. The title, This Other Eden, is perfect for this book. The people of Apple Island have their own Eden, but the outside world sees only poverty and race. They want to take the island for themselves and turn it into a resort. The interference of the government in something so innocent, peaceful, and good can be summed up in this quote: “Soon enough, she thought. Soon enough, Pharaoh will come after us, like he always does.”

Harding urges readers to ponder the implications of history on present-day society. He presents a medley of voices and experiences that bring Apple’s Island’s tragic story to life. In an age where differences often ignite conflict, This Other Eden offers a poignant reminder of the human capacity for love and resilience. With little to no chance to relax, laugh, or fantasize, it is a book that causes us to look at hard truths. It causes discomfort. It is the opposite of an escape. It is a reckoning. And boy, oh boy! has it left it's mark on me.