62 pages • 2 hours read
Isabel AllendeIsland Beneath the Sea
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende follows Tété, an enslaved woman in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, during the Haitian Revolution. Amidst the turmoil, she strives to assert her identity and gain freedom for herself and her children, navigating relationships and upheaval as revolution and personal transformations unfold. The novel contains themes of physical and sexual assault, enslavement, and death by suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Allende's Island Beneath the Sea mesmerizes with vivid historical settings and compelling characters, delving into themes of slavery and resilience. Critics praise its rich narrative and depth of research, though some find the pacing uneven and character development occasionally lacking. Overall, a powerful and evocative tale that captivates despite minor flaws.
Who Should Read Island Beneath the Sea?
Readers who enjoyed the rich, historical tapestry of Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude or the emotional depth of Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner will appreciate Isabel Allende's Island Beneath the Sea. This novel appeals to those who value intricate character development set against the backdrop of significant historical events.