Lost in the Stacks: The Dark Island

Although Vita Sackville-West is very well known and likely still much read, when I passed this pretty spine on the shelf I had to pull it out and take a peek at it.  My library has a number of books by Vita and several that have this same spine design, but I thought perhaps The Dark Island would be less well known to readers.   I've yet to read Vita.  She's one of those "I mean to read" authors and I've collected several Virago editions of her work, though I think this was never a Virago title?  It was published in 1936 by Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc.

There's one lone Amazon (five star) review by a reader who names this her "favorite romance ever" which "beautifully portrays the mind and responsibilities of a British woman in that time".  I've done a little digging and not found many other references to it.  The ever handy New York Times, however, did see fit to give it a positive review.  It sounds as though the story centers around a strong protagonist called Shirin (pronounced Sheereen) who falls in love almost as deeply with an island as with the man who inhabits it.

"It is a wonderful picture of an unusual woman that the writer has produced in this distinguished work.  There are three other people in the book whose minds and souls are dissected minutely and whose visual characteristics are splashed on the canvas of the novel in vivid and arresting colors; but Shirin is depicted, as far as any personality can be, in her essence.  To come so near to the thought that motivates a fellow-creature can only happen, in literature, when an author and subject are joined in perfect sympathy."

I'm afraid I've cut off the map that's opposite the title page, but the wild coast of savage austerity is where the Wilson family took their vacations.  How's this for an opener:

"Mr. and Mrs. Wilson too their children away every year to the same place for their summer holiday.  That habit began the trouble which ended in two persons losing their lives and in one criminal receiving  an expression of sympathy from the coroner instead of a death sentence from the judge."

It makes me want to read on, and I might just do so.  Also on hand by Vita I have The Edwardians, All Passion Spent, Family History and The Heir.  I have a feeling I might like her very much, and now I just need to squeeze one of her books into my reading pile.  Considering just what a difficult time I'm having with my reading at the moment, one of these might actually be just what I need right now.

Comments

[bibliolathas]

It's a great opening passage! I can recommend The Edwardians - very good.

[litlove]

Vita S-W is very much one of my 'I must get around to her' authors. I have a couple of her novels, the well-known titles, and I'm sure I'd like her too! If only there were another three designated reading hours in the day...

[catharina]

I don't know this one and will be eagerly awaiting your opinion of it before going on a search, mostly because of bookstack- management. We found Sissinghurst by Adam Nicolson in a booksale and I requested Violet Trefusis' Broderie Anglaise via ILL yesterday. Have a nice weekend!

[Kailana]

I have to admit I have never heard of this author before...

[Kathy]

Honestly, Danielle, I'm going to have to stop reading your blog. Every time I come away with at least one book I want to read and I just can't keep up! You make them all sound so good!

[Kathleen]

That opener makes me want to read it too.

[amanda]

I've only read the Edwardians. That reminds me. As a library person, you need to read my last blog post! It is horrrifying!

[Caroline]

I have a few of her books and also read a few. She does not disappoint. I liked her a lot. I'm a bit surprised though that she should have written a romance?

[Lyn]

This sounds wonderful. I've read & enjoyed The Heir, All Passion Spent & No Signposts in the Sea but I've never heard of this one.

[Desperate Reader]

I want this now, is it set in Scotland? Please read it and let us know if it's any good.

[carolinareads]

Sounds like a great book.

[Danielle]

Bibliolathas--I seem to be collecting her work and Edwardians has always been the book I wanted to start with!
Litlove--I think there really should be at least two required hours of uninterrupted reading time every day--what a nice thought. I've wanted to read VSW for ages, too. I keep thinking about it, but....
Catharina--Oh, that stack of books--I know it well as I have my own large pile. Every book I bring home sounds perfect and I want to start them all. I've heard of Broderie Anglaise but am not sure what it is about--must go look it up!
Kailana--I think I first heard of her when I discovered Virago Classics--they published several of her books. I've found many an interesting author through them.
Amanda--That's the book I want to start with as well. And I shall check out your blog post, too--thanks!
Caroline--I was also curious by what exactly the Amazon reviewer meant by romance--perhaps not the traditional sort? I really need to read her!
Lyn--I find the most interesting books on our shelves--it's always a treat to go find authors--even authors whose books are famous I still will find something unusual. This sounds good, though it must not have been one of her famous books--I have several of her books and will certainly read her at some point!
Desperate Reader--I'm not exactly sure where it is set. The island is called Storn, which I am guessing is fictional. I flipped through the book a bit but couldn't tell if it is off the coast of Scotland--we'll see if I can manage to get to this one (my library pile is towering at the moment!).
Carolinareds--It does sound very appealing to me, too.

[Stefanie]

I have several of Vita's books but have not heard of this one. Edwardians is good. I've read some of Vita's poetry too and her garden columns. Very enjoyable.

[Danielle]

Stefanie--She was a great gardener, wasn't she? I seem to be collecting her books and should really read one of them now! I might have to start with The Edwardians, but this sounds good, too. I didn't realize she also wrote poetry--she was quite versatile!