THIS OTHER EDEN (USED)PGF

Published in 2023, this novel is inspired by the true history of Malaga Island, a racially integrated community off the coast of Maine that was forcibly evicted by the state in 1912.

• The Setting: The story takes place on the fictional Apple Island, founded in 1792 by Benjamin Honey, a formerly enslaved man, and his Irish wife, Patience.

• The Conflict: Over a century later, a diverse group of descendants lives in isolation and poverty on the island. Their peace is shattered when mainland authorities—driven by the pseudo-science of eugenics—decide to "cleanse" the island by institutionalizing its residents and turning the land into a vacation destination.

• The Themes: It is a lyrical and devastating examination of racism, displacement, and the resilience of a community fighting for its dignity.

• Acclaim: Paul Harding is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author (for Tinkers), and This Other Eden was a finalist for the 2023 National Book Award and shortlisted for the Booker Prize.