Islands hold a special place in literature, offering isolated settings that amplify the drama and suspend normal rules of society. They often symbolize instability and impermanence. It is fascinating to imagine what makes an island a destination and what it means to live among people who inhabit an island. Unnamed islands cause readers to focus on the meaning and symbolism of the islands, the story, and the individuals who live on them.

The five books below offer various fictional islands, each with unique allure and intrigue. Whether you seek scientific wonders, psychological thrills, or timeless adventures, these literary treasures promise to transport you to captivating worlds beyond imagination.

The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa

On an unnamed island, objects mysteriously disappear, and most inhabitants remain oblivious. However, those who remember live in fear of the oppressive Memory Police. A young writer, discovering her editor is in danger, hides him beneath her floorboards. Together, they cling to her writing to preserve the past. This powerful novel explores the trauma of loss and the impact of state surveillance.

Tar Baby by Toni Morrison

Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison reinvents the love story in this emotionally charged novel. Jadine Childs, a Black fashion model with a white patron and boyfriend, meets Son, a Black fugitive embodying everything she loathes and desires.

Their tumultuous affair spans from the Caribbean to Manhattan and the deep South. Morrison explores themes of obligation and betrayal between Blacks and whites, masters and servants, and men and women, creating a complex and ravishingly beautiful narrative.

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By the Sea by Abdulrazak Gurnah

Saleh Omar, an asylum seeker from Zanzibar, arrives at Gatwick Airport with only a small bag containing incense. Once a furniture shop owner, husband, and father, he now seeks refuge in silence. Meanwhile, Latif Mahmud, a young professor, lives alone in London.

Their entwined pasts unravel when they meet in a seaside village in England, exposing an enthralling tale of love, betrayal, seduction, and possession. They look for stability and understanding in the midst of political and personal upheaval.

The Colony by Audrey Magee

In the summer of 1979, amidst widespread violence in Ireland, two outsiders arrive on a small island off its west coast seeking personal answers; English painter Mr. Lloyd and French linguist Jean-Pierre Masson intrude on the islanders' lives, each driven by their motivations.

The island's inhabitants, including great-grandmother Bean Uí Fhloinn, widow Mairéad, and teenager James, grapple with their desires and values. Audrey Magee's book explores themes of imperialism, identity, and the quest for meaning.

The Summer Book by Tove Jansson

Tove Jansson uses 22 different vignettes to depict the spirit of summer perfectly. The narrative centers on Sophia, age six, and her aging grandmother on their summertime vacation on a small island in the Gulf of Finland. Sophia's grandmother is smart and indifferent, while Sophia is curious and energetic.

They explore the island together, discussing life, death, and love. Jansson's novel, translated by Thomas Teal, reflects her own experiences living on a similar island, blending observation with life's varied joys and sorrows.

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