Islands of Mercy

By: Rose Tremain

Narrated by: Katie McGrath

Brought to you by Penguin.

She was 'The Angel of the Baths', the one woman whose touch everybody yearned for. Yet she would do more. She was certain of that.

In the city of Bath, in the year 1865, an extraordinary young woman renowned for her nursing skills is convinced that some other destiny will one day show itself to her. But when she finds herself torn between a dangerous affair with a female lover and the promise of a conventional marriage to an apparently respectable doctor, her desires begin to lead her towards a future she had never imagined.

Meanwhile, on the wild island of Borneo, an eccentric British 'rajah', Sir Ralph Savage, overflowing with philanthropy but compromised by his passions, sees his schemes relentlessly undermined by his own fragility, by man's innate greed and by the invasive power of the forest itself.

Jane's quest for an altered life and Sir Ralph's endeavours become locked together as the story journeys across the globe - from the confines of an English tearoom to the rainforests of a tropical island via the slums of Dublin and the transgressive fancy-dress boutiques of Paris.

Islands of Mercy is a novel that ignites the senses, and is a bold exploration of the human urge to seek places of sanctuary in a pitiless world.

© Rose Tremain 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

Critic reviews

A hell of a read - so emotionally sophisticated, so deft with shade and light, more absorbing than most fiction I've read this year (Johanna Thomas-Corr)

Terrific (Louise Carpenter)

Another gratifyingly well-put-together work... Tremain's long sentences brim with a poised positivity...[and] add lightness to her fond depictions of these imperfect strivers (Francesca Carington)

Subtle, illuminating and captivating (Eithne Farry)

A moving exploration of love and the sacrifices we're willing to make in its name

Over a distinguished literary career, Rose Tremain has traversed genres with her customary flair... in her portrayal of the ways in which individual longing and frustration unfold against the constraints of forces beyond our control, Tremain has long been one of our most accomplished novelists, and here is further confirmation (Stephanie Merritt)

An exhilarating exploration of love, life, loss and death... A thrilling and seductive story... Vivid and beguiling (Rowan Mantell)

Rose Tremain gives Hilary Mantel a run for her money for the title of Britain's greatest living historical novelist... there are still few writers who can conjure up a version of the past that is so startlingly unfamiliar yet so convincing (Charlotte Heathcote)

An enjoyable page-turner (Robert Douglas-Fairhurst)

A new book from Rose Tremain is always a cause for celebration. Her exceptionally well-crafted and deeply humane historical novels are invariably a joy and Islands of Mercy is no exception... A rich, rewarding and highly satisfying novel from one of our finest novelists.

Incredible pleased

Katie McGrath voice gives it a delectable and sublime touch, it was a really astonishing experience just because of her voice.

La voz de Katie es perfecta!

La colaboración es maravillosa e impecable, sin duda vale la pena escuchar todas las horas que toma terminar el libro, y la historia tiene algo que te mantiene fácilmente atrapado.

Amazing story on Katie McGrath's voice

I really enjoyed this 1st Tremaine's book, excellent story and the way it's written. And Katie just did an extraordinary job! In love with her voice. Hope to listen her again on another book soon.

Excellently Narrated

I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction, and while this book is one of the better examples of the genre I’ve come across, there was more than one occasion where I’d have set it aside unfinished were it not for Katie McGrath’s excellent narration. The story plodded at times, and some of the characterization was quite erratic. The latter may have been intentional on the author’s part, but it detracted from the story in my opinion and left the reader with very few sympathetic characters in which to become invested.

katie's voice. that's it, that's the review

bought this to listen to katie mcgrath's voice and had to read it twice to actually pay attention to the story. and I was not displeased with it! the changing of scenarios felt a bit confusing, but, in general, the book is more of a contemplation of different lives and people than a story with a beginning, middle and ending per se. I loved the characters and their unstable and dramatic natures, I loved the descriptions and the courage that the author had to go deep into any topic. it was great experience reading it.