Islands
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Are you dreaming o Well it looks like they the government’s gr whistle-stop tour of s
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hat is it about islands that is so captivating to the collective imagination? Certainly, the idea of being cut off from the ‘real word’ is appealing in modern times. But our fascination goes further back; islands have been romanticised in art and literature for centuries. No wonder adults dream of island escapes, there are dozens of children’s books in which an island is as important as the protagonists – from the idyllic tropical castaway depicted in The Swiss Family Robinson to the savagery of isolation in Lord of the Flies, with a whole host of adventurous outposts in between. Radio Four’s Desert Island Discs programme asks its famous guests to choose eight records, a book and one luxury which they would take if they were to be marooned and it’s a question that is endlessly fascinating for listeners because it’s been running since 1942. Writer Gavin Francis explores the collective fascination with islands in his book, Island Dreams, mapping an obsession. He uncovers many reasons to hanker after island life, revealing them as catalysts for self-reflection and transformation; inspiration and awe; isolation and peace. Leaving the romantic notions of islands aside, there is one very strong reason to recommend them for a holiday right now. Thanks to their natural geographic isolation, many islands and island nations have fared well in the pandemic, with low infection rates and successful track records of handling what cases do arrive on their shores. The government’s green list demonstrates this by
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