In Search of the Tenth Island
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Summary
At a seminar, she stormed out and fell apart. For months on end, wrapped in blankets, not washing her hair, seeing no one, she lay on the sofa, sinking ever deeper, until she developed a severe case of "nerves." Then one day she happened to see Morais, an Azorean immigrant, hard at work plowing a barn farm in California, a man who waved his arms as he talked to his "cows."
That lovely rhythm, that mysterious silhouette, seemed to be a summons from "the Azores." Over the following year, she traveled to the Azores, far out in the middle of the Atlantic, to watch bulls run through village streets, volcanoes erupt on small islands, people "talk" with the dead, ordinary family conspiracies brew, lazy mornings unfold, and a Labrador retriever that kept getting into trouble...
It is the story of one woman's warm and turbulent journey through nine islands, of becoming an "outsider" to her own life and searching for its "Tenth Island."
Editor's review
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers who love nature writing, ecological writing and meditative essays
- Those interested in geology, island ecology or the natural and cultural landscapes of the American West Coast
- Readers looking for works that combine personal memory and family history with broader natural narratives
- Literary lovers who appreciate beautiful prose and profound thought and seek an immersive reading experience
Not a good fit for
- Readers of fiction seeking fast-paced plots and strong storytelling
- Readers expecting a pure travel guide or introductions to attractions
Reading tips
- Read in segments in a quiet setting; each essay deserves to be savored and revisited on its own
- Keep a map at hand while reading to visualize the geographic locations and spatial relationships of the islands described
- Treat the reading process as an inner walk, following the author's thoughts without rushing
About the publisher
Shanghai Wenhui Publishing House focuses on foreign literature, science fiction, and quality fiction. Its catalogue of 218 titles spans literature, mystery and detective fiction, and social novels. Representative books include Middlemarch, The Grapes of Wrath, Snow Country, and The Complete Short Stories of Arthur C. Clarke, as well as Gu Long's Happy Heroes and Remarks on Lyrics in the World. In translation, translators such as Chen Jinhui, Chen Zongchen, Huang Yuesheng, and Qin Peng work alongside authors including George Eliot, John Steinbeck, Yasunari Kawabata, and Arthur C. Clarke, giving the press a profile that balances literary classics and genre fiction. Public information on its other publishing areas is limited.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 写在前面
- 第一部分
- 谷仓舞会
- 低谷
- 卡佩利纽什
- 第十岛
- 哗啦，哗啦
- 绳子上的公牛
- 跳水板笔记
- 那么，飞吧
- 分享情史
- 第二部分
- 修鞋店
- 嘿，你！美国女孩
- 夏天的苍蝇
- 卡多佐夫人
- 悬念
- 作家曼利
- 向一无所有举杯
- 第三部分
- 跳过去！
- 雨
- 回归
- 利文斯顿行进乐团
- 参照点
- 吃了面包的狗
- 穆迪
- 失落的夏日之恋
- 安东的诗
- 在舒阿大叔餐厅跳舞
- 圣若热奶酪
- 再也不见，巴尼
- 帝国小教堂
- 错误的搜寻
- 晚安，好朋友
- 田园牧歌
- 留下
- 科里海鸥
- 尾声
- 致谢
- 作者简介
FAQ
Is this book fiction or nonfiction?
Do I need to know the author or any background beforehand?
Is the "tenth island" a real geographic concept?
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About the author
Diana Marcum is an author about whom limited public information is available; only one of her works, In Search of the Tenth Island, is currently included in our catalog. Judging from its existing classification, the book falls under inspirational and personal growth writing, suggesting that her work leans toward conveying reflections on life and insights into growth through narrative. The title's "tenth island" carries a sense of searching and exploration, hinting that the book may revolve around pursuing goals, facing the unknown, or self-discovery. Reliable records of her nationality, birth and death dates, English name, and specific experiences are unavailable, so little more can be said about her life; readers may instead focus on the work itself, a symbolic quest story that offers companionship and inspiration to those in confusion or transition. Given the limited material, assessments of this author should remain cautious, regarding her as a writer who has entered Chinese readers' view through a single work.
Qian Jiayin is a Chinese author about whom limited public information is available. Only one work by this author is currently on record: the inspirational and personal-growth title In Search of the Tenth Island. Because no confirmed details are available about dates of birth and death, education, or personal experience, no speculation is made here about the author's life; the focus is on the work itself. Judging from its title and category, In Search of the Tenth Island belongs to the inspirational and personal-growth genre, typically centering on goals, exploration, perseverance, and self-discovery. Its approach tends to use narrative to prompt reflection, drawing on concrete situations to open discussion about life choices, in plain language and a brisk pace, suited to ordinary readers seeking a sense of direction. As the only work currently visible, it broadly shows the author's interest in the inner growth of ordinary people and in action and reflection. Qian Jiayin's profile as a writer awaits further works and public materials; readers may take this book as a starting point for understanding the author's style.
