These Granite Islands: Summary and book reviews of These Granite Islands by Sarah Stonich, plus links to an excerpt from These Granite Islands and a biography of Sarah Stonich.

On her deathbed, Isobel—mother, wife, and hat maker—recalls the haunting and fateful summer of 1936 when her world was transformed. After her husband Victor takes their sons away for the summer to a remote island, Isobel meets Cathryn, a woman who will forever change the way she looks at life. An intimate story of friendship, a portrait of marriage, and a glimpse into the depths of loss, the events of this summer become the prism that refracts the essence of Isobel's life.

Media Reviews

Publishers Weekly Stonich's rich debut is a romance in the best sense of the word it's a tale of love and adventure set in a remote time..... Storich is a talented writer whose affecting novel is bound to create conversation--and to appeal to readers of serious women's fiction.   Kirkus Reviews A carefully crafted first novel about doomed lovers in 1930s Minnesota.,.... Old-fashioned and earnest, with a gentle touch that's appealing.   Library Journal Reminiscent of Anita Shreve's works in its lyrical blend of past and present, this first novel by an award-winning writer opens with a dying Isobel--her grasp on reality fading away--recalling a pivotal time in her past to her son.... Stonich perfectly captures the essence of a woman facing her death, and her portrait of Isobel's family is touching and honest. A wonderful read. Colum McCann, author of This Side of Brightness and Everything in This Country Must One of the joys of reading is coming across a book in which language is perfectly wedded to story. These Granite Islands is a marvelous first novel, confronting with humor, bravery, and pathos the manner in which we construct or destroy our various loves.

Recent Reader Reviews

Rated of 5 by Karen Pfeil
I read this book over the holidays and let me say, it made my Christmas brighter! I was staying at my mother-in-law's house and had to keep finding a quiet corner so that I could dive back into the captivating story of Isabel and Catherine. Any...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Nancy L. Bert
Hauntingly beautiful. One is enthralled from the very first. One of the best novels I have read in many a moon.

Readalikes

If you liked These Granite Islands, try these:

---

---

This is one of 3 readalike suggestions for These Granite Islands. Members have full access to all readalikes. If you are a member, please login. To find out more about membership, click here.

Books with similar themes

• Novels
  
• Love Stories
  
• USA 
  
• Midwest 
  
• Minn. Wis. Iowa 
  
• 1920s & '30s 
  
• 1st Books/1st Novels 
  
• Dealing with Loss