A finalist for the National Book Award in 2023, as well as making many Ten Best lists last year, This Other Eden is a beautifully written novel with lyrical descriptions of nature. It is a pleasure to read and enjoy these passages. While set in 1911-1912, it can be considered an historical fiction novel. It should not, however, be considered an accurate depiction of the history of the families living on the real Malaga Island in Maine, and the events that happened at that time. Harding’s novel is inspired by the photos he came across, as well as a couple of articles he read about that island’s residents. There are many similarities between those islanders and the characters that populate Apple Island in the novel. Both are of mixed race and several nationalities. Both lived independent, hard scrabble lives under harsh conditions. Both lived on the island from 1794 until they were forcibly removed by the State of Maine, on order of the governor, in 1912. These and many more likenesses between real and fictional islanders may lead the reader to believe that all the action depicted also occurred. That is where the novel is hurtful to the descendants of those islanders.

Maine archivists have worked hard to correct the record long rumored, incorrectly, that violence, degenerate behavior, and incest, among other false accusations, took place among Malaga Islanders. Unfortunately, Harding’s book depicts all of this, which will lead many readers to believe that these were actual events. The budding Eugenics movement of the early 1900s led to the removal of many residents of coastal islands in the U.S., places where those fleeing slavery often went to establish free, independent communities. Eugenics deemed these individuals feeble and degenerate, worthy of removal. The land was also desirable for real estate development, a strong motive for this effort.

Harding’s novel is fascinating in many respects. The Biblical allusions to Noah, Moses and the parting of the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites in the desert, the Israelites’ Babylonian exile, are but a few artfully described. There are several Shakespearian threads in Harding’s tapestry, as well. Harding is very good at shifting the camera’s focus from one character’s perspective to another within an action scene, from one character’s view of nature to another. All of this, coupled with his poetic language, makes for a rewarding reading experience. The complexities of the character of Matthew Diamond is worth mentioning; a retired minister who serves as a missionary to the island, building a school house for the children, bringing useful (and not useful) supplies, all not asked for, a man who seeks to do good while admitting to a deep revulsion to people of color, Diamond presents a fascinating set of juxtapositions. This is a very rich, layered novel.

I found this to be a very good book, a worthwhile and enriching read. I caution the reader not to make the false assumption that just because the author closely depicts many aspects of the events surrounding that island, do not believe that this is an accurate portrayal of the history of those people, that island. This is a well written novel inspired by elements of history, not the historical record.