The Wild Life in an Island House
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by Gail Karlsson
Price: $9.50
80 Pages, Paperback, 5.25 x 8.25
ISBN-10: 0-9763995-0-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-9763995-0-6
Gail Karlsson, an environmental lawyer and author, has published an amusing and informative book describing her family’s adventures sharing their house in the US Virgin Islands with a host of local creatures, including bugs, birds, bats, rats, lizards, scorpions, frogs and stray cats. Although these may not be the most popular types of wildlife in the Caribbean, they tend to be the ones visitors and residents interact with the most. They are also complex and fascinating creatures. Understanding them better can help us appreciate the intricate diversity of island life, as well as our own impact on the natural world we share with other species.
By telling about her own experiences coming to the Virgin Islands from
New York City, Gail Karlsson presents visitors and settlers alike with an entertaining look at the joys and challenges of life in ‘paradise’.
About The Author
Gail Karlsson and her family have had a house in the US Virgin Islands since 1991. The idea for this book grew out of her reports on environmental issues and island wildlife for The St. John Times. She is an environmental lawyer and a consultant to the United Nations on sustainable development.
Reviews
Martha Hills in The St. John Sun Times
I especially like the way The Wild Life in an Island House draws us into the wildlife world of St. John. It fits with Gail's role as a consultant to the United Nations on sustainable development. Though she recognizes the delicate balance between our own needs and those of the other living beings with whom we share our island home, she gently encourages attempts at peaceful coexistence.
From ants to termites, with bush cats and rats thrown into the mix, she has something to say about all those little critters we either come to know and love... or not. As Gail makes clear,it depends on your attitude.
Amazon.com reviews
Reviewer: John Meade Levering
The Wild Life in an Island House is a must-read for anyone contemplating moving to a tropical island.
This amusingly entertaining and informative little book describes the challenges and wonders one experiences in living in such close proximity with nature as one must when living on a tropical island.
Gail Karlsson's personal experiences made me laugh out loud as I read her book. I, who also live on a tropical island, have had many similar experiences with wild life in my home. Those of us who choose to live in "paradise" either love it or hate it based on whether we find our extremely close proximity to nature either a wonder or exasperation.
The whimsical illustrations throughout the book of the cast of characters residing in or around tropical homes adds to this delightful book.
Wild Life is also very informative, interweaving facts, that even I as a fairly long-time island resident, was not aware. I am sure other islanders will find the same.
Reviewer: John Kinnear Grande (CANADA)
I really enjoyed this book for its honest, forthright approach to story telling. We learn about the Virgin Islands from the eyes of one person. Sensitive and alluring read. well worth it. A book to relax with, and the details make it worth it!
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