The Island of Excess by Francesca Lia Block
The Island of Love and Excess was an interesting read. It wasn’t your regular dystopian novel. But smart with rich dialogue and flawed characters. Begs to ask the question if there was a major global catastrophe how would you react as a survivor. And how different would you be from the person you. Writer Block explores Pen progression as she evolves through out the book reluctant at every step yet doing what is necessary.
Pen’s character was love hate example she fights leaving the safety of her bubble of the island but as soon as the mysterious ship appears she can’t go exploring it fast enough. Her character is a complex mix of duality. She infuriated me and entertained. As for the other characters tools to move the story along. Although I loved their relationship with Pen she had somehow become their champion.
The story itself takes inspiration from “The Aeneid” a classic influence is spread through The Island of Excess Love. Which can be seen in the format of the in the form of quotes beautifully written sentences. And the journey Pen and her friends embark on echoes of “The Aeneid” a plenty. Still TIOEL is an original story that pays homage to The Aeneid rather mimics the premises.
As great The Island of Excess Love is for me it wasn’t my cup of tea. The book is smart intelligent and well written. But I didn’t connect with Pen-yes her character aggravated me and yes I was entertained. In the end I didn’t connect with the material. I believe most teens reading this book will have this same problem. They will either love or not connect with the material. Some knowledge of The Aeneid will probably bridge that gap. All in all for the merit of the writing,premise,characters I gave The Island Of Excess Love a four out five.
Rating: 4/5
- Title: The Island of Excess by Francesca Lia Block
- Series: Love In The Time Of Global Warming ( #2 )
- Published: August 26th 2014
- Publisher: Henry Holt and Co
- Genre: Dystopian
- Rating: 4/5
- Source: ATWTours
- Format: Hardcover
- Pages: 240
- Buy: Amazon
Pen has lost her parents. She’s lost her eye. But she has fought Kronen; she has won back her fragile friends and her beloved brother. Now Pen, Hex, Ash, Ez, and Venice are living in the pink house by the sea, getting by on hard work, companionship, and dreams. Until the day a foreboding ship appears in the harbor across from their home. As soon as the ship arrives, they all start having strange visions of destruction and violence. Trance-like, they head for the ship and their new battles begin.
This companion to Love in the Time of Global Warming follows Pen as she searches for love among the ruins, this time using Virgil’s epic Aeneidas her guide. A powerful and stunning book filled with Francesca Lia Block’s beautiful language and inspiring characters.