What We Thought: Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende

Afternoon Readers

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1 p.m.

Island Beneath the Sea

by Isabel Allende

“There is room in the human heart for all divinities.” – Isabel Allende, Island Beneath the Sea

This novel is packed full of details of actual historical events which impressed readers and kept their attention on the life of the fictional slave girl, Zarité. The author’s writing was so vivid and dramatic that readers were able to recall details and names of characters. When prompted with quotes from the book they remembered the events relating to the quote. This is remarkable because the book is 475 pages long and covers the history of Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) from 1770 to the subsequent slave revolt. The plot switches back and forth from Saint- Domingue to France to Cuba, and ends in New Orleans and the American South.

Mysticism was a recurrent theme throughout the book emphasizing the practice of voodoo and the rhythm of drumming and dancing. Allende’s use of magical realism brought the atmosphere of life among the slaves and its effect on the slave masters to a level of emotional understanding that deeply impacted the discussion. One book club member commented that the characters made up the unknown for protection and then they feared it. Readers discussed the practice of voodoo along with Christianity in the everyday life of the slave culture of the  times.

Readers talked about the legacy of slavery and racism in twenty first century America. They noted that the end of slavery in the United States is less than two hundred years ago and still reverberates profoundly in modern-day society. The group was looking for a happy ending that didn’t come. Some characters struggled heroically despite impossible odds and terrible choices. It was felt that former slaves had a better chance of success in life when they had a business of their own to provide an income, such as dressmaking. In the meantime, strength of character, spirituality and friendships sustained them. They looked forward to going to "the island beneath the sea" as relief from their suffering.

Have you read Island Beneath the Sea or other books by Isabel Allende? Please add to the discussion in the comments!