Ann Vanderhoof
An Embarrassment of Mangoes: A Caribbean Interlude (2003)
Author: Ann Vanderhoof
Genre: Non-fiction (Travelogue/Food)
Book Summary:
Both sailors and landlubbers alike are enthralled with the dream of putting their responsibilities on hold and "escaping" to a better situation. Ann and Steve Vanderhoof consciously decide to trade in their magazine editorial/publishing jobs and take a two-year hiatus to sail the Caribbean Sea in Steve's 42-foot sailboat Receta. Neither Ann, nor Steve had ever been on an ocean voyage or overnight passage for more than a day; however, they plan a two-year voyage, save money to pay for it, outfit the Receta, put all their furniture and clothes into storage, and rent out their house so they can accomplish their goal of cruising the Caribbean and de-stressing. Along the way, they visit ports-of-call in the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic, and Grenada. In each port they meet new friends and grow from their new cultural knowledge. Ann peppers the journal-like entries with cultural/local recipes from each island. In the end, Ann and Steve return to their Canadian home and jobs having gained a wealth of self-confidence in their abilities to cope with Mother Nature, and the natural world.
Geographical Setting: A 42-foot sailboat cruising the Caribbean Sea, and to a variety of Caribbean islands.
Time Period: 1998-2001 Current day
Appeal Characteristics:
As Shearer advises us in Nonfiction Readers' Advisory, the lure of the imagination is a huge appeal factor in both fiction and nonfiction. This title definitely tempts armchair sailors, travel enthusiasts, and Caribbean cultural aficionados to delve into nonfiction and have an adventure. It would also appeal to someone who needs to escape the winter blues, and is unable to travel because of timing, physical, or monetary reasons. The narrative moves along rather quickly with Ann and Steve's preparation, departure, and subsequent adventures. Ann and Steve are magazine editors/publishers so the language is creative without being overdone.
Similar Authors: Melinda & Bob Blanchard, Joan Harrington.
Red Flags: Alcohol consumption in quantity is the biggest possible red flag.
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