Book review of Eleutheria by Allegra Hyde

An eco-cult in the Bahamas

ps. As an amateur book reviewer, I don’t know how to avoid what people might consider literary “spoilers” so… you’ve been warned.

I took this one off the shelf because I liked the “t” in the title, and the “g” in the author’s name. I also liked the image, possibly because I’m jealous of my hair stylist who goes to the Bahamas every year.


Our main character, Willa Marks, orphan of survivalist parents, hopes desperately to fight climate change. Having discovered a sort of manifesto for an eco-utopia on the island of Eleutheria in the Bahamas, she sets off, leaving behind a lover and two would-be-influencers cousins. Despite the warning signs, Willa inserts herself into the unfriendly island crew, led by a mediocre man who eventually disappears. Classic cult leader stuff.


One of my favorite arcs is that of the island’s interns. Reminding me of the worst people from my boarding school days, I inwardly cackled at their struggles with the island’s primitive conditions. Then they redeem themselves by losing their shit and blowing up a ship. Woo!


The revelation that Willa’s lover–with Willa in mind–created the blueprints for the eco-colony was sweet but not subtle. And the ending was worthy of a cringe. But! I rather enjoyed the rest of it, particularly the tension between hope and disenchantment that resonates with my own feelings around climate change.


I’d give it a solid “good” and endorse it for, as was my case, a casual pool-side read.

I recommend purchasing this book, and all others, from Bookshop.org, to support independent bookstores instead of Jeff Bezos.

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