Avg. Customer Rating:(based on 45 reviews) Sales Rank: 55311 Category: Book
Author:Ann Vanderhoof Publisher:Broadway Studio:Broadway Manufacturer:Broadway Label:Broadway Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published) Media: Paperback Number Of Items: 1 Pages: 320 Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5 Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.2 x 0.8
Product Description Under the Tuscan Sun meets the wide-open sea . . . An Embarrassment of Mangoes is a delicious chronicle of leaving the type-A lifestyle behind -- and discovering the seductive secrets of life in the Caribbean.
Who hasn?t fantasized about chucking the job, saying goodbye to the rat race, and escaping to some exotic destination in search of sun, sand, and a different way of life? Canadians Ann Vanderhoof and her husband, Steve did just that.
In the mid 1990s, they were driven, forty-something professionals who were desperate for a break from their deadline-dominated, career-defined lives. So they quit their jobs, rented out their house, moved onto a 42-foot sailboat called Receta (?recipe,? in Spanish), and set sail for the Caribbean on a two-year voyage of culinary and cultural discovery.
In lavish detail that will have you packing your swimsuit and dashing for the airport, Vanderhoof describes the sun-drenched landscapes, enchanting characters and mouthwatering tastes that season their new lifestyle. Come along for the ride and be seduced by Caribbean rhythms as she and Steve sip rum with their island neighbors, hike lush rain forests, pull their supper out of the sea, and adapt to life on ?island time.?
Exchanging business clothes for bare feet, they drop anchor in 16 countries -- 47 individual islands -- where they explore secluded beaches and shop lively local markets. Along the way, Ann records the delectable dishes they encounter -- from cracked conch in the Bahamas to curried lobster in Grenada, from Dominican papaya salsa to classic West Indian rum punch -- and incorporates these enticing recipes into the text so that readers can participate in the adventure.
Almost as good as making the journey itself, An Embarrassment of Mangoes is an intimate account that conjures all the irresistible beauty and bounty from the Bahamas to Trinidad -- and just may compel you to make a rash decision that will land you in paradise.
A splendid read... January 2, 2009 I read this book during an 8-day sailboat charter to St. Martin and enjoyed it thoroughly. Rarely dragging anchor, it instead kept the pace of a tropical trade wind. I was fascinated first by Steve's adventures learning to shrimp with a small net in Georgia, then the passage to the Bahamas. Next is the race with hurricane season down to "sweet Grenada" where the couple spends a number of months, and also a brief sojourn to Trinidad. Then it is back again to Canada with a home-spun fishing tournament on the way back. What I like about this book is the solid writing style of the author, who often ends her short stories with a satisfying "hook" in the best tradition of feature writing. There are quite a few recipes in this book and some of it centers on cooking, but it is not overdone, so to speak. I am passing the book on to my wife now, who is already an enthusiastic convert, having read about 50 pages.
Warm, Languid and Dare I Say, Heartfelt December 8, 2008 Someone gave me this book when she discovered this is precisely my husband's dream: to take off in a sailboat for the Caribbean. Unfortunately, unlike this author's husband, mine knows nothing about boats. Regardless, I'm so glad I found this book: it's a wonderful, well-written read that also manages to reinforce what's important in life.
Great Escapist Novel September 29, 2008 This is a great book! Even the recipes are good, we have tried several. Great read before traveling to the area or as an armchair traveler. Highly recommended!
Escape for an hour or two August 28, 2008 Fun read that has enough adventure to keep you coming back during the cold evenings in winter. I read this and passed it along to my mom who in turn sent it around the world. Each reader found the time to write a comment either about the rum, recipes or pitfalls of sailing down island way. If you ever thought about taking a year or two off you'll definantly want to give it a read. If you just need an escape you won't be sorry. I still pick it up from time to time just to read a chapter before going to sleep (with the hopes a caribbean dream soon to follow). If you only use the recipes it's worth it.
An Embarrassment of Mangoes: Caribbean Interlude August 9, 2008 Seems like good information for Cruisers, I enjoyed the reading. Did not try any of the recipes.
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