Customer Reviews

Anguilla: A Shorter Sleeved Way of Life

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Anguilla Life Magazine

Books
Anguilla: A Shorter Sleeved Way of Life
By T.H. Patten, Photography by Jodi A Rumble

A Review by Rita Celestine Carty

The intriguing book blurbs on the back instantly alert the reader to the possibility that this book has captured the way everybody, including and perhaps particularly Anguillians, likes to think about Anguilla. The book itself smells all sandy and sunny and warm. The sense-tingling images help too!

Anguilla: A Shorter Sleeved Way of Life is first read by slowly turning over the `substantial' pages and gazing for ages at the colours and textures of the photographs and letting the varied feelings sink in and through.

After this first `experience' (that may take a while) the eyes turn to the text. The first reaction is a chuckle and anticipation of being and staying in good company as Patten's developed sense of humour deals a light-hearted but lasting slap right from the acknowledgements page.

The humour soon becomes attached to an evident sensitivity to variations in the human condition and a willingness to adjust accordingly and in this particular case to adopt practices and expectations in order to attain the optimal comfort level of life on Anguilla. Humour and sensitivity soon join hands with objectivity and sincerity as statements about the island seem delivered with genuine appreciation in all senses of the word.

First-time visitors may find this book invaluable as it demystifies the bizarre. It is helpful in the sense that many of the mind-twisting phenomena are explained without their having to figure it out for themselves. For locals and residents who have `adjusted', it is mind-opening to note the many appreciable differences in mores. It makes us aware of the culture shock some visitors might experience. We may not have noticed, for example that:
While it is impolite not to say "good morning" when you speak to someone, it is not rude to lay-on your car horn as you pass someone you know or don't know or met once [... although], there is some collateral startling of Americans, turning over of drinks, that sort of thing... (p.32)

Although the locals may wear the shorter sleeves, the book is definitely written for those who are seeking a little taste of this way of life. Patten describes his own experience in a very detailed way and as such provides a guide and a companion to the uninitiated. No one, I am sure, would resist being "Columbus of [their] afternoon" (p.39).

Anguilla: A Shorter Sleeved Way of Life is perfect except that on page 56 a sheep is labeled a goat. Another downer is the sense of finality at the end of the book. One starts to get the impression that this was an individual journey rather than an invitation to emulate the adventure. This is a change from the tone of the first part of the book which declares "if you don't already know Anguilla, go there!" This is easy to correct. Simply turn back to the beginning after you reach the end.

Anguilla: A Shorter Sleeved Way of Life is all about sensations - sensory details and emotions, tangible and intangible, conscious and subliminal - all are called into play. This book is the product of the perfect collaboration of a good eye and a gifted pen. You should get yourself one. It's beautiful!

Rita Celestine Carty has a BA (Hons) in French and English from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill and a Masters in French Caribbean literature from l'Université des Antilles-Guyane in Martinique. She is a teacher at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School

This review appeared in Anguilla Life Magazine

This is a beautiful hard cover book with jacket on the island of Anguilla. I bought this book as a gift for my future son in law so he and my daughter could have it to look at before their honeymoon. There are many color pictures as well as text that give a nice preview as to what they can expect on their trip.

Patten's book is the first picture book that I have seen devoted to the charming island of Anguilla. There are cookbooks and small guidebooks and memoirs, but Anguilla: A Shorter Sleeved Way of Life shows readers a bit of what the island looks like.

The writing is folksy and the photography is good. The only criticism I would give it is that it is a bit short and doesn't try to be encyclopedic in covering all parts of the island. Nevertheless, a great start that is now gracing one of our tables for leisurely reading

This has to be one of the best books I have purchased in YEARS! The photography is stunning, the writing is delicious...it was like I was right in Anguilla. I have been traveling there for a number of years and have several other books about the island but, believe me, none of those books even compare to "Anguilla: A Shorter Sleeved Way of Life." It would be a waste of time and money to get anything but the best, and the best is definitely this book.

This book was a delight. I have not been to Anguilla but after reading this book and seeing all the wonderful pictures, it's high on my list. It is not your usual coffee table book but an adventure in learning about a real place with real people--and goats. T H Patten is someone I'd like to know, I wish I'd been there as he discovered Anguilla, I'll bet it was fun.