Land Without Mirrors - Softcover

Marina Brown

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0982901585 ISBN 13: 9780982901588

Publisher: Wild Women Writers, 2012

Synopsis

On an idyllic Trinidadian island just before the outbreak of WWII, three children on the brink of adolescence struggle with what it means to live in a community solely inhabited by lepers and their caretakers-and whether they too are among the infected. While some in authority engage in strange experiments ostensibly meant to find the cause of Hansen's disease, others harbor dark secrets of violence. Whether a powerful priest or an enigmatic nun will win in their dangerous power struggle has grave implications for the three youths and their yearning for a different life. In a tale that spans nearly fifteen years, and moves from the mystical intrigues of Chacachacare's isolated Hindu culture, to Cartagena, Columbia, and finally, to Port of Spain, surprising twists of fate weave, unravel, and at last, bind the three young people together. Though the ominous undercurrent of World War II, the social changes affecting the Caribbean, and the intense search for a cure for leprosy wash throughout the tale, Land Without Mirrors is at heart a love story-mothers for their children; men for power and fame; and a sweet first love that grows to maturity.

About this title

About the Author:

When first published in 2013, Marina Brown's debut novel, Land Without Mirrors, won the President's Gold Medal from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association. Her 2017 second novel, Lisbeth, won the Silver Medal for Adult Fiction from the Royal Palm Literary Awards as well as the President's Gold Medal for Literary Fiction from the FAPA. She has won prizes for her short stories and poetry in multiple national competitions including the Lorian Hemingway, the Red Hills Review, and two Firsts Places in the Porter Fleming Short Story Contest. She is also a journalist, writing for several newspapers, including the Tallahassee Democrat, the Tallahassee Magazine, and three design magazines in Miami. Marina, a former professional ballet dancer with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and American Festival Ballet, continues her love of dance with participation in local tango and flamenco groups. She is also an experienced blue-water sailor, an artist, whose 2017 one-man show, Between Us: Brothers and Sisters, concluded a three-month stay at the historic Union Bank Building, a part of the Meek Eaton Black Archives at FAMU. She speaks three languages, is a registered nurse, and a cellist.

Review:

“Land Without Mirrors is an intriguing combination of action, drama and romance, with some dark fantasy elements thrown in. The turns are quick and many, the writing impressive!”-Trinidad and Tobago Guardian

“Richly imagined and meticulously researched, Land without Mirrors is a compelling debut novel. In a lush and deceptive landscape, complex and well-drawn characters twist and turn in a plot part gothic, part magical realism, and part classic page-turner—and in the end, wholly original. You’re going to remember this one.” —Claire Hamner Matturro, author of Skinny-Dipping, Wildcat Wine, Bone Valley and Sweetheart Deal

 

About this edition

• Publisher: Wild Women Writers
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0982901585
• ISBN 13: 9780982901588
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 310