The Retreat by Alison Moore

From Goodreads

Since childhood, Sandra Peters has been fascinated by the small, private island of Lieloh, home to the reclusive silent-film star Valerie Swanson. Having dreamed of going to art college, Sandra is now in her forties and working as a receptionist, but she still harbours artistic ambitions. When she sees an advert for a two-week artists’ retreat on Lieloh, Sandra sets out on what might be a life-changing journey.

My thoughts

My thanks to Helen Richardson for the opportunity to take part in the Blog tour of this book published by Salt.  I received a free copy of the story in order to be able to take part and this has in no way influenced my review or thoughts.

I gave this a 4 stars or 8/10.  This is a short story that draws you into the lives of the characters and how they interact with one another.  Even now 24 hours after having finished the story as I write this review, I am still thinking about the story (20.11.21).

This is a very character driven story with the islands themselves taking on their own character, if you enjoy plot driven stories then this may not be your cup of tea, but as I am an eclectic reader I enjoyed immersing myself in the lives of the characters.  It's almost a story of two halves as we learn about the inhabitants of the two islands that used to be as one and were the home of Valerie Swanson a reclusive silent film actress.  

Fascinated in many ways with the thoughts of the island since she was younger, Sandra spies the chance to take up an opportunity to live on one of the islands during a two week holiday retreat, where she expects to be able to enjoy exploring her artistic work more.  Sandra becomes one of several residents in a house on the island of Leiloh.  She soon finds herself on the outer perimeters of the group of residents and appears to be excluded at every opportunity from any plans they may have, even down to meal times always appearing too late to eat with them most of the time.  She has no idea what she has done to be put in a position such as this, but it's not one that she enjoys being in.  

Carol is an Author who is struggling to write and when a friend offers her the use of a house on an island to escape to, she jumps at the chance to go to get away from life and to be able to immerse herself in her work without the distractions of normal day to day life.  The sole occupant of the island, Carol soon finds herself with feelings of being watched and someone being there.  With no one supposedly on the island, what is making her feel this way? 

After having read some of the other reviews of this book, I can wholeheartedly agree with the views of the readers for the most part.  I too would like to say more about the story, but to do so would spoil it for other readers by giving away too much.

Please grab a copy of this story for yourself and let the somewhat claustrophobic feelings the Author conveys wash over you too, as the water surrounding the islands washes away at the coastlines.