ISP Blog #4 - An Embarrassment of Mangoes

Ann Vanderhoof's book, "An Embarrassment of Mangoes," reminded me quite a lot of Scott Griffin's "My Heart is Africa," which I read earlier in the year. Interesting to note that the dates of their respective trips overlapped somewhat, both happening between 1996 and 1999. One of the more distinctive features of Vanderhoof's book is the inclusion of both a seafaring related quotation at the beginning of each chapter, and a local recipe from one of the places mentioned in the chapter at the end of the section. The work could be renamed "An Embarrassment of Mangoes, or, a Caribbean Cook Book, Almanac of General Sailing knowledge, and Excellent Read" without any reworking of the contents.

The book follows Vanderhoof and her husband, Steve, as they sail down from Toronto Harbour to Trinidad and Tobago, and then back again. Her delightful descriptions of local life, food, customs, and people are thoroughly enjoyable to read. From Bahamian women attempting to steal Steve from her, to pounding raw conch in the tiny kitchen of their boat, Vanderhoof's writing is as easy to read as it is to breath. Before you know it, your at the end.

I attempted to make my piece and overall style as much like that of "An Embarrassment of Mangoes" as possible: easy to read, enjoyable, and informative.