I AM ISLAND: 

‘The stories that matter are the universal ones we share.  I Am An Island is a universal story.  It goes beyond the island or specifics of place.  It is for anyone who has experienced friendship, love, loss, grief, or the pain of losing the people or things you hold most dear.  It asks what would you do - and how might you cope with loneliness, fear, and when all you rely on falls away.  Would you, too, turn to nature?  I’m so grateful to all readers for sharing their letters and stories too.  It makes me ever aware that the words and story I wrote in I AM AN ISLAND are not just unique to me - they belong to us all.  I am so moved by this, and how so many readers have expressed - I Am An Island is our story.’  Tamsin Calidas

‘Magnificent and gripping’

‘Once in a while you read a book that speaks straight to your heart.  An ode to the human survival instinct.  What a heartbreaking beautiful and raw story’ 

‘Your words, your story have made all the difference to me, and countless others.  The heart of your story resonates, wise and true.  Long may your story thrive - it is blessing’

’Your book was the first book that ever touched me.  I felt Love, Nature, simplicity, perseverance, respect, full of humanity.’

‘Thankyou for your book.  It was recommended by a man, a stranger I met in Cornwall last summer, walking the coastal path.  I love your descriptions of the sky and connection with the gulls.’

‘My husband just finished your book and he was moved to tears.  You are a blessing with your moving words.’

‘Your book is wonderful.  I’m a psychology practitioner and I often suggest my clients to read it

if they’re struggling with being alone.’

‘Would so love if one day you make it over here to New York City.  I posted my review of your book to my Financial Times bookclub and more people are reading it.’

‘I started your book last night and finished it.  Walked afterwards with my dog this morning and my surrounding world changed because of your book … I will walk to the sea this afternoon. 

‘Thankyou for this book.  My husband stole it and is reading standing in the kitchen.’

‘I just finished your book.  I can’t thank you enough for it.  Wonderful, breathtaking, heartbreaking, healing.’  

‘I read your book.  I did it slowly because the love and intensity overwhelmed me.  It’s been a long while I had to cry while reading.  Thankyou for this.’

‘Thankyou for your book.  Grateful for the incredible gift you are to this planet.  Words of wisdom do come from the heart.’  

‘What a fantastic read.  So powerful.  Well done.’

‘Your writing is so descriptive and evocative.  Both you and Maude have have brilliant minds.’

‘I’ve just read your book and absolutely loved it.  Your strength and your beautiful connection with nature is an absolute inspiration.’

Your book touched my soul, it made me feel as I was right there with you feeling all your emotions with mine.  I tell everyone I can, that this book is one they will remember.

’Your words are so wonderful to hear and its images are life-giving.  Your book gives me strength and I have it on my night table as a talisman.  It has become a touchstone for me and one that fortified my heart and gave me strength.'

‘I just finished your book.  II know exactly who will benefit from reading your inspiring next.  Thank you for sharing your truths, your wisdom and love’

‘Love beyond words your words and the way you put them together.  Your book sings to me daily.’

‘I’m reading I Am An Island for a second time.  My favourite book alongside beloved Toni Morrison’

‘I just finished your amazing book.  It touched my soul.’

‘I tell everyone I can about your beautiful book - it’s more than a book… it’s an energy that keeps on flowing long after the encounter.’

‘I loved I Am Am Island.  Heartwrenching.  Bloody brilliant read.’

‘Your book will stay with me much longer than any other I have ever read.  Beautiful and profound.’

‘I am listening to your wonderful audiobook just now - trying to savour your words and resist binge listening all in one’ 

‘I Am an Island saved my life.  When my partner died last year I couldn’t find comfort anywhere.  This book helped to me reconnect my inner self with nature and since then I started breathing again. Thankyou.’

‘I have read at least 2 books a week for the last 30 years, but this book is simply unique in language and simplicity.  A great analysis of the psychological effect of social isolation.  Very timely indeed but so uplifting’

‘So enjoyed reading your book and often think of it some months later’

‘I couldn’t put your book down .. I cried as I read the last words… have passed it to my husband who also devoured it and so I am gong to read it again.  It touched me … in my heart and soul and has stayed with me since’

‘I read your book and adored it, then bought if as gifts for friends and family.  Still one of the most beautifully written books I’ve read.’

‘I finished I Am An Island recently - it is one of the most beautifully written books I think I’ve ever read. I felt I was there every strep of the your journey. You have the most wonderful way with words and an incredible story to tell.  Thank you.  I feel it change me a little bit as a person after reading it (for the better).  With love’

‘I have just finished reading your book, harrowing but beautiful. I know I will have to read it again.  It is fabulous.’

‘Easily memoir of the year … if not century.  I remain completely obsessed with the beauty of the language and the raw honesty with which it is delivered.  Incredible.’ 

‘What a voice and talent!  Your book is the most beautiful I have ever read.  My heart was with you on every page.’

‘This has been the most extraordinary and beautiful and wrenching book I’ve read for years.  My heart spent the read folded in two and there were many tears.  The landscape is familiar but your spirit is extraordinary and rare.  Thankyou.’

‘I read an introduction piece of your book while I was unemployed, trapped and broken last year.  I ordered it online and it took two months to ship from the UK to Canada. I treated it as a treasure and it warmed my heart in the world winter days of Canada.  Now spring is coming, I survived the unemployment, the breakup with my beloved one, and I feel liberated and invincible.  Tamsin, I owe you my deepest gratitude.  Thank you for keeping me company through the rough days of my life.  I wish you all the best, and I will carry on the lessons I learned from you, about solitude and bravery.’

‘Have just finished your book … and as I closed it .. cried … it’s the only book for as long as I can remember that I found hard to put down and that I know I will re read … soon’ 

‘Literally just finished it and WOW!  What an incredibly beautiful and vulnerable story and and written so poetically too.  you should be so incredibly proud.’

‘I’m nearing the end of my adventure with you Tamsin, as I've almost finished your brave, heartfelt book.  I am trying to relish it slowly, but fid it difficult to put down.  I take heart knowing your tender words and passionate spirit will linger long after the last perfect page.’

‘Just finished your fantastic book and cried my way through most of it Tamsin!  Incredibly powerful and so raw; the environment and how cruel and uplifting human nature can be.  Maude is amazing.  What a friend to have by your side.’

‘I have just finished your chapter Raw Element and felt compelled to say something.  It has been some time since I’ve read  a piece that plays with my emotions in such a powerful and resonating way.  I was spellbound.  I admire you for your strength of character and for everything yo’ve been through the survived.  Thank you for your raw and beautiful truth.’

‘You are a brave woman, I deeply admire you - your raw courage is catching.  Your wondrous memoir is hauntingly beautiful.  Thankyou’

‘Your book was my favourite of 2020.  Everyone needs to read it to remember to ‘live’ and to feel ‘alive’.’

‘I love the way you write - your words and the way you express your thoughts and feelings is nothing like I’ve ever read before.  Thankyou.’

‘Thank you so much for writing your book, I Am An Island. I've absolutely raced through it in a day - I just couldn't put it down. I visited similar places last year and while the islands were absolutely gorgeous, I felt that slight disdain myself, so I can only imagine what it's been like for you. The book's had me in tears, laughter and everything in between. I still have a few chapters to go, but I just had to reach out to say how much it has touched me and I'm sure many others. Sending love ❤️’

‘I must say your book has destroyed me and cocooned me with nearly every turning of the page.  I could go on about how it has also been my saving grace and reminded me to breath each night that that reminded me of how I relearned the gift of life after my mum’s death.  But most of all I will salute your strength and humanity in a time of challenge and darkness, and how the sea can give us strength and hold us up.’

‘I’m glad as a man I found your writing a beacon.’

‘I loved your book.  It transported me to the wilds.  Hope to read more of your story in the future.’

‘I couldn’t book your book down.  I didn’t want it to end.  Thankyou for writing with such honesty and sharing such deeply personal moments - makes me feel more human.’

‘Your writing is insanely beautiful and unique. What a rare gift.’

‘Oh my heart, I travelled with your words.’

‘It’s not just a book but a journey - of resilience and of hope in the darkest hours.  I read it a couple of pages at a time simply because I always find the need to stop and reflect on what I just read.  Now, I am at the last few pages of your book.  And I am holding back from finishing it simply because I don’t want it to end.'

‘I have just started reading your book and cannot put it down!  What an incredibly powerful, intimate, emotional, respectful, candid, courageous path you have gone through.’ 

‘I was kept awake through most of the night with your book.  Well worth the lost hours.  Beautiful writing - a story I’ll revisit many times again.’

‘Just finished I Am An Island.  Never have I been so emotionally touched by a book.’  

‘I love your book too much .  I’m reading it really slowly as I now I’ll be bereft when I get to the last page.  Thank you.’

‘I wanted to thank you for sharing your beautiful story and book - It moved me so much.  I have never cried at a book before.  Your book made me remember my wild spirit that once ran free in the world and then became hidden the humdrum of modern life.  Your book made me strong.  Thanks also to Maude and Isla - my dog Daisy passed in June I felt your bond together so strongly.’

‘So lacking in sleep and NOT because I get up at 3am to bake bread but because I downloaded your BEAUTIFUL book and read and read and read into the wee small hours on my day off!  I can’t desire how this book made me feel - just full of poetry and sea and home.  I’m so homesick now I can hardly stand it but so grateful to you for this book.  I will be buying a hard copy to swim in and out for the rest of forever.  I wish you all things good.’

‘Loved your book.  It’s in my head like a film script.  your raw writing really speaks to me.  Your language is poetic and Beautiful.’

‘I loved your book.  It transported me to the wilds.’

‘Just finished your book within the week.  Fantastic and extremely uplifting read.  Just told my daughter about you, your book and how determination wins.  5 stars.’

‘I wanted to thank you for your book.  It is so raw and yet so full of hope.  Thanks for trust us, your readers, with your life story.’

‘Just read chapter 1 and 2.  Already in tears .. now I must work .. but you have left me dreaming.’

‘I’m half way through reading I Am An Island.  The theme of mindfulness through makes it a very heart warming book indeed and I’m so impressed and inspired by your courage and commitment. What an amazing experience.’

‘I have just finished your book in the last 20 minutes, I was barely able to put it down.  It has helped me through so much in the last week and your story gives hope, shows happiness can be found even during ht darkest of times and has helped me to find peace.  you are inspirational and are the embodiment of a strong indecent woman, a role model to us all.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Tamsin Calidas - you brave, strong powerful woman.’ 

‘I read your beautiful book and it moved me deeply.  What a joy to read such fully felt, raw emotions, polished by your extraordinary writing talent.  Thankyou.’

‘I just read your book.  It was quite simply transformative.’

‘I just finished your book… I’m bereft… loved, loved, loved.’

‘The most influential book I have read - devoured in one sitting with heavy rain streaming on the roof.  Your book showed me a way forward, hope and my search through the natural world for solace and inspiration.  Thank you a thousand fold for your bravery and your creativity.’  

‘I am in love with your beautiful book.  Many of the situations resonate with me so deeply.  I couldn’t put your book down.  Ended up crying for you at moments, and feeling inspired at others - to go foraging, be strong and now we have everything we need within ourselves to carry on.  You have such a beautiful soul and I am so glad I found your book.’

‘I have just finished reading your wonderful book - it filled me to the core.  Hearing such painful stories alongside such overwhelming beauty and your response to the natural world, was soulful and life enriching.  Thankyou for having the courage to tell your story.  I encourage my daughter to be a warrior, a woman to stand tall.  It is good to read work that supports this.  She will need to stand strong when the difficult times arrive which they will.  So thank you.’