Customer Reviews

How to Santa Barbara

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"How to Santa Barbara" would not be funny if Erin Graffy weren't telling the truth about what we know but hesitate to confirm. Her book is barely thick enough to keep the pages apart, but is well worth the price of admission: Erin Graffy has our number.
Graffy is a wicked observer and her deft and deadpan delivery make this a delight at every turn.

As a native of Santa Barbara, this book tells it as it is. My copy had gone from my grandfather to mother to me. We all grew up here and laughed at the truth of Graffy. For those not familiar with our city, yes we do shut down when it rains and honk politely when you cut us off on the city streets. Fiesta is the annual holiday we plan our vacations by. In fact, as she mentioned, you can tell the natives as they are the ones who have left town or are holed up in their homes during Fiesta week.

If you are a recent transplant, you may not understand many of the nuances of this book. The audience is the "true" locals.

Although by 2009 it is slightly outdated (Father Virgil is now deceased for example), this book is still worth the price of admission. Unlike the second book in her series How to Santa Barbara: The advanced course Graffy writes to all of us that are born and grown here.

I have purchased 15-20 copies of this book for new arrivals to Santa Barbara. A humorous and accurate introduction to Santa Barbara.

Bruce Arden

This is one of my favorite books of all time. Erin has nailed our beloved Santa Barbara and I always recommend this book to newcomers and those who missed it! Humorous, witty, a delightful gift and wise guide.