Set on the fictional South Atlantic Island, Tuga de Oro, a vibrant array of characters deliver colourful plots to provide pure escapism amongst the weighty tomes on my to-be-read stacks.
Veterinarian researcher and devout introvert Charlotte Walker heads to ‘the ends of the world’ to take up a study fellowship of the rare Golden Coins tortoise. She’s intentional, focused and determined to make animals her priority – after all, ‘they’re better than humans’. But is her pilgrimage to a remote island really all about her intellectual work or is there another, more personal pursuit?
Islanders live on island time and old ways are slower to move to more progressive expectations. Even the animals move slowly but live long lives, like that of Martha the ancient tortoise of Tuga. The Tugan cast includes resident Pastor Garrick and his compassionate wife Joan; Doctor Saul and his wife Moz who is desperate for Saul’s retirement; Saul’s nephew Dr Dan ready and waiting in the wings to take over from his uncle; Betsy Coffee, Levi and a wealthy yet grumpy reclusive Mary. They’re literary friends that provide ‘joy’ as the author Francesca Segal intended.
If you’re a fan of Nina George (Little French Village Of Book Lovers) or Katherine Pancol (Slow Waltz Of Turtles) then you’ll love Welcome To Glorious Tuga too.
Penguin
ISBN 9781784745394