Desiring Paradise... a true story of succumbing to the dream [Paperback]

Karin W. Schlesinger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0967372127 | ISBN-13: 978-0967372129

Many people toy with the idea of packing up their lives and moving to a remote island in the tropics. This book relates the hilarious tale of two middle-class New Englanders who succumbed to that dream.

The Paradise they desired is the beautiful and sometimes whacky island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Life's misadventures caused havoc, but these folks persevered. How they got to Paradise will inspire the most jaded reader to believe that any dream is possible.

The realities of living on a small Caribbean island where donkeys and goats may be more plentiful than people is an eye-opener for everyone! On St. John, folks drive on the left side of the road and hitchhike by pointing their index finger in the direction they're going. It's a place where tree frogs give nightly concerts that compete with the sounds of reggae music floating up the hillside from tiny town of Cruz Bay. The only way to leave is by boat... and sometimes that's easier said than done.

Loaded with island trivia, this new book uncovers the unique rhythms of daily life in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learning 'island-time' and having a sense of humor counts in Paradise, as these two transplants from New England found. Their first-year adventures on-island will make you chuckle as you come to realize - Paradise is a state of mind.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In Desiring Paradise, first time author Karin has packaged their trials and tribulations in a book that is proving as popular as 'Don't Stop The Carnival' [Herman Wouk] for St. John visitors and residents alike." "This is a must-read for anyone who loves the tropics and anyone and everyone who dreams of paradise." -- St. John Tradewinds, November 29-Dec 5th, 1999

From the Publisher

Desiring Paradise captures a slice of life in the islands and explores the realities of making a drastic change in lifestyle. The beauty of the islands comes through along with the special things that make St. John a paradise for many. I'm sure there will be a sequel someday.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Conch Pubns (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967372127
• ISBN-13: 978-0967372129
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,305,976 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #87 in Books > Travel > Caribbean > Virgin Islands

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Does not begin to capture the true essence of the islands, July 29, 2001

By 

Karen Christensen (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Desiring Paradise... a true story of succumbing to the dream (Paperback)

I have to admit that I skipped entire sections of this book because I just kept waiting and waiting for it to get better. I desperately wanted it to capture the true essence of life in the Virgin Islands. Instead, I labored through prolonged descriptions of the completely mundane aspects of Ms. Schlesinger's daily life, like going to the post office. I live in St. Thomas and having moved here from the United States with less than $3,000 in in my bank account and only having five WEEKS to move, I cannot understand why Ms. Schlesinger might think her long range plans of moving and packing might even be remotely exciting. The book should have described more of the actual daily life here in the Virgin Islands rather than how difficult and scary it is for her to drive her car onto the barge (give me a break!). I'm surprised she even managed to move down here at all! I give Ms. Schlesinger credit for writing the book, I just think that she could have done so much better. What about the Bomba parties on Tortola where five hundred people cram themselves into a 300 square foot wooden surf shack on the beach on every full moon night? What about renting a car from a leading rental car company and being given a shot of Jagermeister by the agent before being given the keys to the rental car?? That's just part of ONE day in the islands. Well, maybe my life is just more exciting than Ms. Schlesingers'! Perhaps I will just have to write my own book........Stay tuned!

26 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A TOTALLY OBJECTIVE REVIEW, March 27, 2000

By 

Susan Austin (Arlington, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desiring Paradise... a true story of succumbing to the dream (Paperback)

I read "Desiring Paradise" in one night, despite the fact that it seems not to have been proofread and is fraught with typos, making it necessary to stop and re-start my reading numerous times. However, the story was interesting enough that I decided to view the typos as quaint instead of annoying -- much the same way the author learned to view her many challenges on the islands. (Her stories about dealing with the local government and police are particularly funny.)

The first half of the book concentrates on how the author and her husband planned and implemented their launch from New England to St. John, while the second half describes the trials and tribulations faced by the "Yankees" as they adapt to Caribbean life. Some readers, expecting to be taken on a romantic tropical journey, may find the book a bit mundane. On the other hand, I appreciated the fact that the author started her story from the very begining -- the fantasy of moving -- and took us through the long planning phase, a hurricane experienced from inside an apartment, and other unglamorous realities. This made the saga very real for me, and the triumph of overcoming these obstacles much sweeter.

It should be noted that this is not a book "about" St. John, or any of the Virgin Islands. There are better books along those lines, notably those by Gerald Singer or Pamela Acheson. This book is more of a how-to guide to making the dream of moving to paradise -- wherever that happens to exist for you -- come true. While "Desiring Paradise" is not award-winning material, I believe that anyone with any interest in the concept of moving to paradise will most certainly enjoy and appreciate this book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not exactly well-written, but very inspiring, June 19, 2001

By 

Lisa A. Leone (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Desiring Paradise... a true story of succumbing to the dream (Paperback)

Having visited St. John several years ago (and having vowed to retire there myself), I can appreciate this book. Karin and her husband aren't independently wealthy, but they moved to their island paradise and made things work despite a tight budget, mistakes in planning, unforseeable obstacles, and day-to-day hardships. They were able to re-think their lifestyles and achieve their goal in 3 years instead of the original plan of 10 years.

The book explains, in a rambling fashion, the many things that people overlook when fantasizing about such a life-change. It also provides plenty of anecdotes and lessons about St. John history, culture, and natives. You learn with them and from them. If you try to read it in one sitting, though, you'll probably grow tired of the near-constant topic changes really quickly. Take it in small doses. It can be a real inspiration to the rest of us non-millionaires who dream of moving to a faraway locale. I deducted 1 star for lack of pictures.