Book Club: This Other Eden by Paul Harding

Join us for a book discussion of This Other Eden by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Paul Harding. Together, we’ll explore this lyrical and deeply moving novel inspired by a remarkable true story of resilience, community, and the enduring struggle for justice.

In This Other Eden, Paul Harding crafts a luminous and deeply moving novel inspired by a little-known chapter of American history. In 1792, formerly enslaved Benjamin Honey and his Irish wife, Patience, establish a life on a remote island where generations of their descendants, alongside a diverse community of neighbors, build a resilient home despite poverty, isolation, and prejudice.

By the summer of 1912, that fragile sanctuary was threatened when Matthew Diamond, a retired schoolteacher turned missionary, arrived determined to educate the island’s children. His presence draws the attention of mainland officials influenced by the era’s eugenics movement, setting in motion a devastating campaign to remove the island’s residents and erase their way of life.

Rich with unforgettable characters and lyrical prose, Harding weaves a powerful story of family, belonging, and resistance. Both haunting and hopeful, This Other Eden is a profound exploration of human dignity and the enduring strength of communities determined to survive in the face of intolerance and injustice.

Registration is required.