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HomeShop at BookSurgeFictionLiteraryLeaving Paradise: a novel |
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 Paradise - not one for all Mar 11, 2009
Reviewed by Lynn O'Connell for Reader Views (3/09)
Two Canadian teachers leave the land of their birth and settle in the Turks & Caicos Islands. A teenage runaway leaves the island where he was born and goes to Canada. All are trying to start a new life...to leave past failures and embarrassments behind...and, to find paradise. What is paradise? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary gives several definitions including `Eden,' `heaven,' and `a place of happiness.' And, indeed, each of the three protagonists in "Leaving Paradise" may be seeking his or her version of paradise. The one thing they all share in common: they want paradise to be a place where they will be accepted, as they are.
Ian Cameron is a teacher who was accused of sexual abuse of a student back in Canada. He emigrates from Nova Scotia to the islands and buys a resort. Susan Borden flees after being nearly accused of incompetence, when one of her students suffers a hairline fracture in the classroom. Susan also ends up in the islands, where she resumes teaching. Tijean Williams is a student in Susan's new class who has learning difficulties and, because of that, hates school. Tijean dreams of becoming a diver and of being in a place where he can succeed. He goes to Toronto to stay with his mother's sister's family.
Throughout the book, Susan has numerous flashbacks - time spent with the father whom she loved, the accusations that came after her student's classroom injury, and her first days with her lover, Ian. Then, one day, Susan's flashbacks become a reality. Her former supervisor and principal as well as a former teaching colleague turn up unexpectedly on the island - and at Ian's resort. How will Susan react, and what will she do? And, how will this affect Ian?
Author Donna Wootton did an excellent job of focusing the book on what I saw as two themed questions. First, where is `home'? Second, who is `family'? As Wootton emphasizes, the answer to each question will be different for every person. The siblings of Ian and Susan choose very different answers than our two lead characters. Ultimately, Susan and Ian choose two homes Canada, their natural home, and the islands, their home for many years. Tijean returns to the place of his birth - on his own terms. And, don't forget Marcel, the Frenchman who has chosen the islands - at least for now.
Wootton provided fascinating detail about the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as the marine life there. Her research was obviously well done. Also, I got a great deal of enjoyment out of her clever naming of her characters. First, we have Susan Borden who, as the name suggests, considers herself ordinary. Then, enter Ruth Diamond and Kate Channing. Again, from Susan's perspective, they are members of a higher class who belong at the private school. Then, Ian Cameron (aka romance), who means so much to Susan. And, finally, there is Sam Gold, the rich veterinarian and whose money has drawn Ruth and Kate to the islands.
The plot of the book was tight; all loose ends were wrapped up by the end of the last chapter. Given the several leading characters and the different ways they were linked, Wootton did an outstanding job in this area. Also, I enjoyed learning about the Turks and Caicos Islands - in fact, I may add them to my wish list of places to visit.
So, where is paradise? Read "Leaving Paradise" by Donna Wootton and see where your inner being leads you.
 Turks and Caicos here I come! Jan 29, 2009
Just finished reading Leaving Paradise by Donna Wootton and totally identified with the lead character, Susan. It helps that I also am a teacher.Lots of detail in this novel.I loved the references to Gail Bowen and Mavis Gallant and learned a lot about the flora and fauna of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the tie-in to the lives of the inhabitants. This is an exploration of migration; birds,whales and humans. Will lend this to a friend who has two grown children who have recently "migrated" to the Turks and Caicos.
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