This Other Eden

Paul Harding draws inspiration from the true story of Malaga Island, a small island off the coast of Maine that was home to a mixed-race community until they were forcibly evicted by the state government in 1912. Harding fictionalizes the island as Apple Island, where he creates a cast of memorable and nuanced characters who struggle to survive and preserve their identity in the face of intolerance and injustice.

One of the most striking aspects of the novel is the use of biblical imagery and symbolism, which adds depth and meaning to the story. The novel begins and ends with a flood, reminiscent of the story of Noah’s Ark, which serves as a metaphor for both destruction and salvation. The flood wipes away the original settlement of the island, but also allows the survivors to start anew. The flood also marks the beginning and the end of the novel’s narrative arc, creating a circular structure that reflects the cyclical nature of history and life.

The novel also uses the motif of the Garden of Eden, which represents the island as a place of innocence, beauty, and harmony, but also of temptation, sin, and exile. The islanders live in a close relationship with nature, but also face hardships and dangers. The islanders are also subject to the judgment and interference of the mainlanders, who view them as inferior and immoral. The novel explores the themes of identity, colonialism, and prejudice, as the islanders are forced to confront their own origins, cultures, and values.

The novel also employs the symbol of the cereus, a rare and ephemeral flower that blooms at night, which becomes a powerful emblem of the islanders’ resilience and hope. The cereus is a paradoxical flower, as it is both beautiful and fragile, both visible and hidden, both natural and unnatural. The cereus also connects the islanders to their ancestors, as it was planted by the original settlers of the island. The cereus represents the possibility of overcoming societal judgments and finding redemption, as well as the fleeting nature of beauty and life.

Through evocative prose that resonates with emotional depth, Harding delves into the complexities of the human experience. He paints a vivid picture of a community grappling with identity, colonialism, and prejudice. He also creates memorable and nuanced characters, who elicit sympathy, anger, pity, and admiration. This Other Eden is a captivating read that lingers long after the last page, urging readers to question their own perceptions and celebrate the multifaceted nature of humanity.