This is my first novel by this author.
Her writing transports you to another time and place.
The story was light and fun but also managed to tackle some hard hitting topics.
This book shows the power of female friendship

I’ve not read anything by this author before and probably won’t again. It just didn’t work for me, I couldn’t connect with anything and I found it quite tedious and full

Deliciously descriptive and boldly eye-opening, Deborah Rodriguez transports you to the beautiful, beating heart of Haiti in her sensational story of courage, survival and friendship.

In the bustling, colourful streets of Port-au-Prince, Rodriguez brings together the paths of four courageous women as they attempt to reunite a mother with her missing child. As they navigate a city devastated by the 2010 earthquake, Charlie, Bea, Lizbeth and Senzy find themselves on a heartrending journey of determination and self discovery.

Written with heart and diligence, Island on the Edge of the World is a stunning summer must read!

I loved Deborah Rodriguez's Coffee Shop of Kabul series, so I was really pleased to get an e-copy of Island on the Edge of the World from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rodriguez has a real talent for taking the reader to a new land – in this case Haiti – you actually feel like you are there, can see and even smell the surroundings. You can tell that she knows the place and its people and isn't scared of showing it, warts and all, and that goes for the well-meaning foreign visitors too. Add that to a great story and what more can you ask for?

I have loved reading this novel while in lockdown, because it’s taken me away from my everyday life and thrown all my senses into the vibrant country of Haiti. I’ve been introduced to Haitian literature at university many years ago and love the author Edwidge Danticat. I’ve also read a lot about the history of the island and particularly the aftermath of the terrible earthquake, This novel follows four protagonists in that same time period. Charlie works as a hairdresser and has a great relationship with her grandmother but is estranged from her mother. Charlie has a traumatic past. These issues are both common to women in Haiti - trauma and the estrangement of families. Her grandmother Bea, thinks that Charlie needs a relationship with her mother to make sense of her past and find peace. Lizbeth has travelled to the island from Texas and is hoping to find her grandchild. She’s a widow, who has taken the courage to travel alone and find this part of her family that’s missing from her life. Senzy lives in Haiti and has a pivotal role in teaching these women true strength and resilience of spirit.

The descriptions of the island are immersive, I was assailed by sights, smells and colour until I’d built up such a vivid sense of place it was weird to look up and see my own living room! I enjoyed being educated about Voodoo. I knew how it came about as a combination of African animistic religions from the days of slavery and the French occupiers who practised Catholicism. It was interesting to see what the practice means to everyday Haitians and where spirituality fits into their lives.
I also enjoyed the contradiction in both the island and the women of the novel. Haitian women are described as walking with ‘surety’, a pride and certainty in themselves. Rodriguez writes that you were left in no doubt they were not to be messed with. The island is equally bold and strong, but underneath there is some weakness - a sense that life here can be very fragile, despite its vibrant, powerful appearance. Rodriguez will open some people9s eyes with her exploration of Haitian politics and society. There is, it seems, almost a resigned acceptance that corruption permeates all official organisations. As I know from my own reading, this extends to the NGOs too. The people have seen decades of this and it is now part of life. I find that so sad and struggle to imagine how trapped those at the bottom of society feel - nothing they do can make a difference. Through one of the narratives the author shows how corrupt the orphanages are in the country. Even those trying to help, might have ulterior motives.
Each woman felt real to me and I knew them well by the end of the novel. The author weaves their past into the narrative so we understand how they came to be here. They are well rounded with as many flaws as good points, but that only serves to make them more relatable.
More than anything though I loved being immersed in this incredible place and the author completes the experience by giving us information on how to help and recipes to try. This is brilliant for me as I like to cook something to complement the book on my book club evenings. It is rare to come across a novel that balances both escapism and a social conscience but this book has both elements.

It's an engrossing and heartwarming read, with some funny part and some that are realistic and full of food for thought.
The author delivers an interesting story and I liked the character development and her empathy toward her characters and what they have to face.
A good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I didn’t find the setting as exotic as other reviewers as I have traveled extensively on the African continent and the sights and sounds of Haiti was very similar to those of Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

I think this is a sweet story for the masses. The characters came across a bit too stereotypical for my taste with specifically Lizbeth representing the close-minded attitude of a someone living in a first world country that has never traveled across their own borders.

I also found Bea a bit too much for my liking and the story overall held no real surprises.

I do think there is a market for this story but unfortunately, I will not actively promote it.

Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced reader's copy in return for my honest review. Likeable characters, well researched. Enjoyed this story. Would definitely recommend.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publishers. I enjoyed this book as have a lot of understanding about poverty stricken countries and this was a light hearted read, not the best

Wow, wow, wow! This book is extremely unputdownable!

Charlie works in her Grandmother, Bea’s hairdressing salon and is estranged from her mother.
Psychic, Bea persuades Charlie that they should travel to Haiti to find her mother as Bea senses that something is wrong.
The pair travel to Haiti, a very proud island, meeting a lonely and bereft Texan lady en route.
The book describes the shocking practice of looking after babies to help mothers who are unable to support their children, and the determination that women have to get these babies back in their arms.
The author shows huge empathy and sensitivity especially with Bea who has lost her sight.
Funny descriptions pepper this book, such as, “her mind felt as fuzzy as an old shag carpet” and “Charlie woke up still madder than a wet hen”.
Are you aware that turning someone into a Zombie is against the law in Haiti?
I implore everyone to read this well researched, interesting and very enjoyable novel.