2 Books Like The Bone Sparrow

The book is set in the near future in a time where consideration is being given to the re-definition of fundamentalism as a mental illness. I found it interesting to read the views and beliefs of the two main characters, April and the criminal psychologist Finley Logan, and how their relationship with one another and with their faith ‘devotion’ was developed.

The book had me thinking about and trying to understand the reasons why the character April, a 19-year old elective mute, detonated a bomb on a university bus and killed 15 students of a similar age. Logan’s role is to decide April’s sanity and therefore also her responsibility for the atrocity.

When Finley meets with Gabrielle who conducts research into spiritual and mystical experiences, the discussions become more thought provoking. A brilliant read, which, will have you thinking about the relationship between devotion, science and spirituality

I have enjoyed Victoria’s books and was particularly interested by her stories of the Greek island of Spinalonga and its lepers’ colony. This is her story of Spinalonga written for children. Using English and Greek, Rita’s grandmother tells her about the photo that she has seen in her grandmother’s house during holiday visits to the Crete village of Plaka.

I enjoyed hearing with Rita about her mother, Maria, and the role she played in the history of Spinalonga. The story covers the shame and stigma of leprosy with compassion. I was interested to read about how a cure for leprosy and about the closure of the island. A fabulous little book and definitely worth reading to the end to find out the special significance of the painted pebble with the Greek words kathe mera tha se skefto, which mean ‘every day I will think of you’.