An Embarrassment of Mangoes: A Caribbean Interlude

An Embarrassment of Mangoes is infused with warmth, color, and flavor. As if the vivid descriptions of local markets (you can smell the fruit), ancient rum distilleries, and exploration via the local buses aren't enough, the variety of characters she meets bring the islands to life.

Best, Vanderhoof and her husband are easy to identify with. They took their midlife break on a sailboat. She relates challenges and experiences with a humor that non-sailors will enjoy, and a level of detail that I'm sure sailors will appreciate. But her trip is no near-death escapade. These are real people on an achievable adventure, doing something all of us could do. Vanderhoof steers us off the beaten path to sample real life, deftly capturing the local food, music, language and, most of all, the Caribbean spirit.

"Ann of a Thousand Deadlines" (as she calls her former self) never admits bravery, but her will to leave a good job and the comfort of everyday life for two years shows real courage. The book and its premise are compelling. The recipes at the end of each chapter are a bonus (my wife has already baked the Spicy Island Gingerbread).

I want to go. Now that I have read An Embarrassment of Mangoes, I feel I have gone.

As the review on the book cover says, "what travel writing is all about." Give this one an unarguable five stars.


Thank you Ann Vanderhoof!   February 22, 2004
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

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.


I am off to Grenada!!!!   July 8, 2004
Philip Sammarco (Chicago)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

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.


Warms those cold nights!   February 11, 2004
Diane R. Katz (Syracuse, NY United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

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!


Travel done right...and some fabulous recipes too   September 21, 2005
Tracy Middlebrook (Seattle, WA USA)
7 out of 9 found this review helpful

I definitely enjoyed Vanderhoof's narrative voice. And what a delightful surprise to find recipes scattered throughout. I must say that reading this book made me very hungry (even if it's not making me want to sail around the world...I'm all for world travel, but I'm not very comfortable on sailboats)

This was such a wonderful adventure. Vanderhoof's writing is pleasant, evocative, unexpected, comforting...it was just the right feel for this story. And, seriously, these people did this trip up right. Woot!! Let's here it for having REAL vacation experiences and meeting real people...not hiding in a steralized resort in some disneyfied island. It was great getting to take this trip (without having to take this trip). I've photocopied almost every recipe from the book (Except the conch recipes...I don't feel familiar enough with this seafood in order to attempt cooking it). I made the chicken with fresh cheese and avacado last night and it was DIVINE. Yum. We're making the Coo-coo polenta dish tonight and plan to try the Bahamian Mac & Cheese next week. Also, the rum punch recipe will make an appearance at saturday's party.

Not only is this a great read, but it's full of great food too.