This Other Eden A Novel By Paul Harding

"In 1792, Benjamin Honey and his wife, Patience, discover an island where they can build a life together, free from the shackles of slavery. Generations later, their descendants continue to inhabit the island alongside a diverse community of neighbors, each with their own stories and struggles.

The Honeys' island paradise is disrupted by the intrusion of "civilization" in the form of eugenics-minded state officials determined to impose their vision of racial purity. A missionary schoolteacher selects one light-skinned boy for salvation, while the rest of the island's inhabitants face the threat of separation and institutionalization.

Amidst the turmoil, the islanders demonstrate remarkable resilience, clinging to their hopes and dreams in the face of a world that seeks to erase their existence. From the two sisters raising Penobscot orphans to the prophetic Civil War veteran Zachary Hand To God Proverbs, each character embodies the defiance of those deemed unfit by society's standards.

"This Other Eden" is a poignant exploration of the human spirit's capacity for hope and resilience in the face of oppression and intolerance. Through lyrical prose and powerful storytelling, the novel illuminates the struggles and triumphs of a community fighting to preserve their identity and dignity in a world intent on erasing their existence."