Islands of Shadow, Islands of Light

Yaron Glazer
BookSurge (2009)
ISBN 9781439249437
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (01/10)


Set in Panama, Jessica Talbot finds herself back in a country where she spent time as a Peace Corp volunteer. But her trip this time is different; she is on a mission to find out about riots in the La Joya prison. On the Isia Coiba Jessica finds herself face to face with criminals, racketeers and generally scum of the earth. Not only does she have to find information about what really happened during the riots, she has to be on guard for her own safety.  No one is willing to give up information on what really happened.

The author provides a great history of Panama and the corrupt government. One will sometimes question if it could really be possible to live this way -- with people disappearing and the government corrupt beyond all description. Glazer captures the reader’s attention right from the beginning to the last page. His ability to vividly describe the characters and intertwine politics at the time will keep you from being able to put the book down. Many do not know about Panama’s past, but this book will give an excellent idea of what government transition (or lack of) is like when everyone wants to be in control. There is no doubt in my mind that if you pick up “Islands of Shadow, Islands of Light” by Yaron Glazer to read, you will not be able to put it down.

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