The Light on the Island (50th Anniversary Edition) [Paperback]

Helene Glidden (Author), Michael D. McCloskey (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 2001

Readers can once again enjoy Helene Glidden's classic, "The Light on the Island" as this 50th Anniversary Edition retells the touching story of a young girl growing up on Patos Island in the San Juan Archipelago. Her parents raised thirteen children while her father served as the Patos Island lighthouse keeper from 1905 - 1913. Helene reminisces about the adventure and heartbreak experienced on a beautiful but remote island where smugglers, old timers, and "God" weave in and out of their lives.

The book was originally published in 1951. This 50th Anniversary Edition has added historical photos and a postscript with biographical information about Mrs. Glidden and her family.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Helene Glidden was born in 1900 at the New Dungeness Lighthouse on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. She originally wrote "The Light on the Island" as a memoir for her children. Her father was a noted lighthouse keeper in the Pacific Northwest until his death, while on duty, at the Semiahmoo Lighthouse in Blaine, Washington in 1919.

Mrs. Glidden also published a cookbook, "Pacific Coast Seafood Chef" in 1953 along with many articles and stories for several magazines. Her writings contain a wonderfully innocent sense of humor and a unique wit.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: San Juan Publishing (March 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970739907
• ISBN-13: 978-0970739902
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #761,451 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Light On The Island Returns, December 29, 2001

By 

Kristine Libby (Bremerton, WA. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Light on the Island (50th Anniversary Edition) (Paperback)

In 1953 as a 10 year old living in upstate New York, I read The Light On The Island and was mesmerized by the adventures of Angie and her family on Patos Island. Living on an island with a lighthouse, surrounded by marine animals and birds, rowing about in boats, exploring the beaches, coves and woods of Patos was a dreamworld away from mine. The book remained one of my favorite childhood books,[ I still have the book---its dustcover in tatters] so imagine how I felt when 16 years later I met my husband, who was from the Seattle area and we eventually moved there and Angie's world was in my backyard. Four years ago we took our sailboat up to Patos and we walked the beaches, "the petticoats" of Patos Island. For young and old alike, The Light On The Island explores the world of a child, the dreams, the harsh reality, the innocence, life and death, and growing up. Read it for the first time, read it again, ---it will light up your day!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helene was my great aunt, December 25, 2003

By 

Julie Fillo (Tacoma. WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Light on the Island (50th Anniversary Edition) (Paperback)

The Light On The Island was written by my great aunt, Helene Glidden. We have enjoyed reading the story over and over, and have spent two nights in Active Cove on Patos Island with our children. The last night we spent there was about 5 years ago, tied up to a bouy in our 29 foot sailboat. It was a terrible night, as Active Cove often lives up to it's name. I spent all night thinking about my aunt and what it must have been like to call that lighthouse home.
...a lovely book. I hope you read it and enjoy it as much as we have.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Light on the Island, August 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Light on the Island (50th Anniversary Edition) (Paperback)

I read this book while vacationing on the Northwest side of Orcas Island with little Patos Island in full view. I could not put this (borrowed) book down. A friend, who was with my family on vacation, also read and became hooked on the LaBrege Family's adventures as lighthouse keepers in the early 1900s. It was really getting on my nerves when my husband got ahold of the book, became hooked and then complained every time I picked it up to re-read some of the chapters. In short, I am now buying my own copy as I want to own this (true) story of a great pioneer family. I will never look at Patos Island without thinking of little "Angie", her antics, and her family's experiences. This is one great story.