An Embarrassment of Mangoes: A Caribbean Interlude

By reading this book I have now found out I love to sail; but only on the pages of Ann's book. You feel like you are right there with her and Steve on their trip. The only good thing is you don't get seasick from reading of the rough waters. But you also miss out on the tropical weather and food/drinks. If I had the money, this book would encourage me to take a break from the everyday hassels of day to day living and just sail away. If only we were all this courageous and just take off for two years. Thank heavens Ann was willing to share parts of the journey with us. This book is an easy read, but definately worth it. No crime or violence to speak of...what a pleasure.

Sense the sailing, worry about the weather, explore the exciting locales, taste the tropical delights!!!An excellent must read for the travelust!!!

I don't write a lot of reviews, but thought this book deserved more attention. Since reading it, after American Airlines thought enough of it to include excerpts in their magazine, I was intrigued by the stories of the islands, the people, the culture, the food and sailing the Caribbean (good weather and bad). First off, I love to travel to off-the-beaten path countries and I love to cook (and eat!) different cuisines. This book is perfect if you have these interests. It doesn't hurt that the author is a travel writer, but this is much more than a travelogue or cookbook. I don't like fiction so much, thus this is perfect non-fiction. Ann could not have possibly made up more interesting stories about the people and conducting life on the islands and the boat. I now have a yearning to visit Grenada, Trinidad and some of the other colorful islands. The author must have been concerned she was going to make Grenada more popular, but it probably was well on its way before her book. Good luck Ann! Thanks for sharing your adventure. Your storytelling and descriptive style paints a warm picture of wonderful people and places.

Thank you Ann Vanderhoof for taking me out of my winter slump with"An Embarrassment of Mangoes". Ann and her partner Steve made a life decision to kiss their clock-driven lives in Toronto good-bye so they sailed south for two years on their 42 foot boat, Receta. The good news for us is that "An Embarrassment of Mangoes" makes it possible for us to share in their journey: the sun, the food, the humor, the food, the water, the food, the good times, the food (complete with recipes). The scary parts happen when the weather steps in. "An Embarrassment of Mangoes" exudes the warmth of the Caribbean. We meet extraordinary people: the Minister of Rum, Dingis and her family and Mr. Butters in his garden of Eden. All of this is why you'll cry your eyes out at the end of the book as Ann and Steve head back north, leaving behind their new friends and a part of their hearts. And a part of mine.

Having just returned from the Caribbean, this book was like a return visit. Sitting up here in upstate New York, where snow is measured in feet rather than inches, I savoured every page of this book. Ms. Vanderhood has an uncanny ability to make you feel like you are there among those wonderful island people. She really brought them and all of quirky differences between islands to life. Sometimes I actually felt I was right there on the sailboat with them and could feel the waves rocking us back and forth. For anyone who loves the Caribbean, or for that matter, anyone whose ever wanted to chuck it all and sail away --this book is for you!