Customer Reviews

Fools' Paradise: Remembering the Thousand Islands

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The Thousand Islands. The very name inspires visions of beauty and unbridled wealth.

Shortly after the end of the Civil War, America's rich and famous discovered the fabulous islands of the upper St. Lawrence, and over the next fifty years made them into America's premier resort area. The best and brightest architects were engaged. They designed structures which fit each individual island so well they seemed to almost grow from the granite. Castles the like of which few kings or queens could afford, elaborate summer residences, and grand hotels abounded, as did restaurants and yacht clubs.

It was possible to step aboard a train in New York Friday evening, and arrive at the river in time for breakfast the next morning - often while aboard the launch on the way to the "cottage". Not only could one enjoy the pristine beauty of the islands in total privacy, a rich social life was also possible. The family simply boarded the yacht and traveled to the evening's soiree in style. Rarely did a weekend pass without one or two gala parties, and in fact people-watching became almost as popular as the golf, polo, tennis, boat races and fishing.

In this fine work, Paul Malo succeeds in conveying impressions of the way life was among America's royalty. Although the device used, a dialogue between the author and one of the last of the old time residents of the area, feels contrived at times, in choosing it Malo manages to deliver a tremendous number of facts and figures without allowing the recitation to become dull.

In addition to the interview style, Malo adds photos and memories from his own youth on the river circa 1945. By then, many of the fabulous homes had been boarded up, and others no longer existed. These nostalgic images will haunt you. What a shame to lose these wonderful places. Overall, the author's after-the-fact memories add a very nice counterpoint to those of the interviewee - a woman who lived on the fringes of Thousand Island society at the turn of the century - and who describes a time when the resort was at it's peak of popularity.

Although this is a trade paperback. It has been produced with care and given a durable full-color cover with flyleafs to be used as placemarkers. There are a few proofreading shortfalls, but otherwise it's an excellent addition to any library and an especially valuable tool for persons writing fiction set in the area.

Art Tirrell, author of The Secret Ever Keeps ISBN 978-1-60164-004-8, coming April 07.