Welcome to Glorious Tuga

I was really stunned by this novel. It sneaks up on you, quiet and gentle and lovely. The writing is so elegant, and it felt like a brilliant, gossipy Victorian novel - full of the internal lives of complicated people in a small community. The spirit of it is so joyful, so indulgent that I never wanted it to end - was bereft to finish and be dragged away from Tuga. It absolutely should be a long-running and beloved tv series - it reminded me at times of the chaotic pleasure of the Durrells at its best. Funny, compelling, escapist - as I read it, I found myself thinking that I wanted to press it into the hands of so many people in my life because they will love it too. A sincere pleasure.

What a novel! I loved the imagined Tuga - I wish it were a real place that I could visit. The details Segal has come up with in imagining this society... this was a warm, brilliant read by one of my favorite authors.

This was phenomenal. It’s so so hard to describe what it’s about because it’s about everything! So many strands, peoples lives and histories woven together around a fascinating island in the middle of nowhere. You start the book thinking the main characters are Charlotte Walker, and Dan, but actually they’re not- every person living on Tuga is a main character and this book is BEAUTIFULLY written; such a talented author and I enjoyed every minute of escapism while reading this story.

You can’t help but love this book!!! It’s set on the fictional island of Tuga de Oro in the South Atlantic Ocean. It sounds like the perfect place to live.
The story revolves around Charlotte, a newly qualified London vet who accepts a one year post there to study the endangered gold coin tortoises.
On the boat there she meets the new island doctor, Dan Zekr who is returning home after studying and training abroad for fifteen years; who nursed her back to health as she suffered terrible sickness all the way there…. Obviously there’s a spark 😊
I loved all the characters and the descriptions of the island, the founding families …. I literally loved everything and I’m thrilled to see that it’s the start of a trilogy.