Rating: 
Summary: A distillation of beauty and wisdom.
Review: "_Islandia_, Austin Tappan Wright's haunting Utopian novel, easily slips into Islandia, the imagined country which is the setting for the book. Almost anyone who has read the novel would go to Islandia in a moment should it ever be located, so it is easy to see why those who write about the book often find themselves writing in amazement about the country and its creation instead. As an imaginary land, it is extraordinary... the lifetime creation of a remarkable man. But I do not think it is simply the beauty of the land and the detail in which it is known and described by its creator that makes the novel so powerful. The novel is far more than a vision of Utopia, however appealing, being I think both a Bildungsroman, a novel of individual growth, intertwined with an adventure and the embodiment of great wisdom in ways of living, both individually and as a society. It is a marvelously subtle, poetic novel, and one can read many passages with great pleasure for the beauty of the descriptions or for the human insights alone. Where did it begin? In Austin Wright's childhood and family surely... but also in the Cape Cod saltmarshes and the New England coast; in the White Mountains and the far north of Maine; in turn of the century Cambridge and Boston; in the Harvard classrooms of William James and Nathaniel Southgate Shaler; in the law offices and at-home afternoons of Justice Louis Brandeis; in Oxford and in travels through Europe; in Berkeley, then the center of the Arts and Crafts Movement in Northern California... for the novel is a distillation of all of these into a creation that stays on the mind and changes the reader long after the book is read. In it you may find traces of Thoreau and Emerson, of the pre-Raphaelites and the Arts and Crafts Movement, of small Italian cities and the Berkeley Hillside Club, of Brandeis's views on life and society, of James's psychology and philosophy, of Shaler's views on man and nature, and perhaps of every experience of Wright's varied life. There are strong and independent women, written of with wonderful understanding and sympathy; there are deep insights into human nature and the nature of love; there are statesmen and political intrigue; most strikingly, there is a way of life both beautiful and practical, one that has changed more than one real life. By all accounts, Austin Tappan Wright was a brilliant, erudite, and charming man, far from the dry academic lawyer one might expect. Some writers have suggested that Islandia was his retreat from a stressful life, a reaction to Puritan Cambridge. but reading of Harvard and Cambridge at the turn of the century and of the Berkeley community in the teens and twenties, I cannot help but feel what extraordinary people and surroundings they must have offered him. I am inclined to see Islandia not as a retreat from reality, but as an imaginative distillation of Wright's world; _Islandia_ not as a utopian novel, but as a poetic embodiment of a philosophy of life as well as a fascinating story."
Rating:
Summary: Mandatory reading in Utopian Studies classes, if they exist.
Review: Al Kee liked his wine, and he also liked a good read. Sometime after having fathered six children and divorced Marjorie, his first wife, Al compiled a list of the 100 best books in the world. In 1967, at the age of fifteen, I came into possesion of this list. Among the usual stand-bys was a title that I had never heard of -- "Islandia". After some effort, I found the book in the Unitarian Book Store.
What peace and tranquility I found in Islandia. Being compulsive, I devoured the book in one reading and immediately destroyed the book so that I would not have to share it with anyone. Now, after all these years, a new edition has been released and I can expect to have readers crawling all over my island.
I encourage anyone that is thinking of buying this book to reconsider. "Stranger in a Strange Land" is a fine book, read that. Send away for L.Ron's "Dianetics". Take up rock climbing, but stay off the island.
You have been warned!
Rating:
Summary: Truly Life Changing
Review: Am I really qualified to be a book reviewer? Probably not. But I have two criteria for how I judge a book. The first is, "Does it hold my attention and interest?", and second, "What have I gained by reading it?" (...) So what about Islandia? three different people told me I had to read Islandia, including legendary Los Angeles book store owner, Papa Bach. After this preamble, what say I about Isandia? First of all, my major dissapontment was that it was only 1008 pages. I wanted more. Needless to say it held my interest. What did I gain from this book? Amazon says I have to be careful about giving away too much plot. So I will only say it contains, epic "high" adventure, and incredible descriptions of topography and a highly sociologically advanced although agrarian civilization. But there is more, much more. (...) I know there are some racial issues in this book. Even though the black people who live near Islandia are not spoken of very positively, Wright reserves his most strident political venom for the Germans, and this book is pre-World War II. Also, the book seems to glorify a form of fuedalism, but I see it as more of a vehicle for the adventure aspect of the book. I read Islandia again, twenty years later when I was going through a type of "mid-life crisis". Sure I found more flaws, and of course it did not move me like the first reading, but I read it primarily in a karate studio waiting for my sons to finish their nightly classes. It still held my interest, but I noticed that the last 100 pges or so were not as strong as the rest of the book.
Rating:
Summary: The most moving novel I have ever experienced
Review: I could gush for pages and pages about this marvelous book, but the other reviews here can tell you pretty much everything you would want to know. I'm adding my comments as well to strongly urge you to purchase Islandia -- it's worth buying at any price. For a month this summer I was a witness to life in the simple but beautiful nation of Islandia through the eyes of the protagonist, John Lang. He becomes friends with an Islandian native, Dorn, while at Harvard, and after graduation is appointed consul to Islandia. There he experiences a full life of romance, adventure, politics, intrigue, and the clash of two incompatible cultures. Ultimately he must decide what really matters in life. The book's evocative descriptions of Islandia are all beautifully done. I found myself time and time again thinking that Islandia actually exists. The message is as striking as the descriptions of the nation, and the novel is worth reading for both. I can only echo others in saying that this has been for me more worthwhile reading than any of the books I was made to read in my high school English classes. This is one of those rare great novels to keep and treasure. Buy it -- its worth is far greater than the pittance it will cost you. Your room has been prepared for you...
Rating:
Summary: A book to read and re-read and share with a friend
Review: I first came across ISLANDIA when I was about 15 years old and I spent a very enjoyable summer as a visitor to a most magical spot. The size and scale of the book, the gentle passion of the story, the wonderful message about the possiblities of a better world drew me to the book and have kept me coming back every few years. And the book is fresh and new everytime. Just writing this now makes me long for the Islandian breezes once more. I can't keep track of all the copies of this book I've given to friends, all of whom learn to love the book as I do
Rating:
Summary: The Legend of Islandia Continues
Review: I first read Islandia when I was in eighth grade, having seen it mentioned in the introduction to Anne McCaffrey's Moreta, Dragonlady of Pern. What can I say? I'm not as eloquent as the rest of the reviewers, who state their opinions so much more clearly than I ever could. I just want to repeat what they've all been saying: Islandia is a wonderful book! I think what I like best about it is the way it's helped me express myself. Some words in the Islandian language express ideas that have no direct translation; one has to read the whole book to get the sense of them. I wish my associate Chris would read this book, so as to learn what I mean when I speak of "linamia," the Islandians' word for a once-in-lifetime kind of friendship. My favorite character is Fak, the protagonist's noble steed, who seemed wiser and more level-headed than most people one encounters. "Oh, my wise, dear horse!" as John put it. I included Fak in a story I'm currently writing, attempting to stay true to the horse's memorable personality. He didn't bolt, even when surrounded by pixies... I guess this review became a tad personal. I encourage everyone (especially you, Christinue--I hope you're reading this) to read Islandia. Remember, my house is yours.
Rating:
Summary: A life altering read
Review: I first read this book in 1946 at the age of 19. I read it through in one sitting and came out of the experience speaking Islandan better than English. I found in the book a minor character upon whom I wished to model my behavior and hoped to achieve the same position in my relationships.
Structurally this in not a good novel but then it was never intended to be a novel. The mood of the book parallels the emotions of the protagonist. When he is up--the book is up. When he is going through his disappointment in his thwarted love affair the book drags. When he is doing his "buckling and swashiling" toward the end of the book it is a great book of action. There are too many antclimaxes.
I have re-read this book several times a decade and each time leave it with a deep sense of satisfaction that Austin Wright had this dream and we are allowed to share it.
Rating:
Summary: The most underated classic ever.
Review: I found this book after reading about it in a essay by Ursula Le Guin. (The Left Hand of Darkness, The Dispossessed) You will not hear about it from your local bookstore, or from school, and until recently you would have had an extremely hard time even buying it. I found my copy 1942 HB (Tan) in a used bookstore for three dollars years ago and it never leaves my nightstand. I understand that there will be some who simply don't understand the allure of the uptopian book, and they would probally find it boring. The reviewer who found the author long winded would be amazed that only half the book acutually got published, over 1,000 pages were edited before the first printing. It is one of the last elegant books, and the flavor of the early 20th century runs through it. It is a book that you can read to your children before bed, and too yourself anytime. It deserves shelf space next to Dickens and Tolkien. I cannot reccomend this book enough. Everyone should have a copy.
Rating:
Summary: The most underated classic ever.
Review: I found this book after reading about it in a essay by Ursula Le Guin. (The Left Hand of Darkness, The Dispossessed) You will not hear about it from your local bookstore, or from school, and until recently you would have had an extremely hard time even buying it. I found my copy 1942 HB (Tan) in a used bookstore for three dollars years ago and it never leaves my nightstand. I understand that there will be some who simply don't understand the allure of the uptopian book, and they would probally find it boring. The reviewer who found the author long winded would be amazed that only half the book acutually got published, over 1,000 pages were edited before the first printing. It is one of the last elegant books, and the flavor of the early 20th century runs through it. It is a book that you can read to your children before bed, and too yourself anytime. It deserves shelf space next to Dickens and Tolkien. I cannot reccomend this book enough. Everyone should have a copy.
Rating:
Summary: Soul-changing, haunting, a place I long to see
Review: I have loved Islandia for many years. Its characters, scenery, atmosphere and drama captivate me time I read it. I imagine, looking at the map, what the landscape might look like. Its message is strong and relevant, filled with the complexity of trying to live a truly good life in increasingly complicated times; of getting to the essentials; of honoring friendship and love. (The distinction made in Islandia between three kinds of love is useful!) It's a wonderful adventure! And how much I would love to visit that land!
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