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Once upon an island
A young English womens harsh life on Santa Cruz Island, off southern California in the 1970\x27s and 80\x27s running a sheep ranch, finding herself and her husband in the process.
193 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 3, 2013
I loved this book! As an Oxnard native growing up during the time period that is written about in this book, Michel's writing brought Santa Cruz Islweren't interested in life in an amazing way! The dramatic and exciting events kept me glued to the pages waiting to find out what was going to happe next!
She included enough detail about sheparding to provide a good introduction to the work, but not too much which may have made it too detailed if you weren't intetested beyond an overview. Her use if visual imagery and poetic flow made for pleasent reading and she seemed like a natural writer. I felt like I was reading a novel but the fact that it was someone's account of life on the island made it easy to picture and imagine.
It's a quick read, and well worth it if any part of it appeals to your intetest, including local history, livestock, the ocean, hunting, women breaking out of their role in society, medical drama, Native Americans, etc.
She included enough detail about sheparding to provide a good introduction to the work, but not too much which may have made it too detailed if you weren't intetested beyond an overview. Her use if visual imagery and poetic flow made for pleasent reading and she seemed like a natural writer. I felt like I was reading a novel but the fact that it was someone's account of life on the island made it easy to picture and imagine.
It's a quick read, and well worth it if any part of it appeals to your intetest, including local history, livestock, the ocean, hunting, women breaking out of their role in society, medical drama, Native Americans, etc.
August 25, 2009
One of several books that I am trying to read simultaneously. It's usually pretty difficult and slow for me to get through one book due to the fact that I'm busy homeschooling and hanging out with my kids so I imagine that I'll drop at least one of them and take them one at a time.
March 4, 2021
Although this book lacked decent editing by the foundation, I found this book fascinating. I was the same age as Michel and was also an adventurous person, but she really jumped into the ranch due to being without a visa. I read this book in the 90's and again now in 2021 because I am introducing it to a book club and comparing it to other Channel Island books we have read. Life on an island is brutal at times. I think my book club will truly enjoy Michel's moxy, courage and strength. I am grateful she shared her time on this incredible island ranch. I have lived among the Gherini's and other island ranching people. Interesting to get another viewpoint! I wish I knew if Michel is alive and what other interesting adventures she undertook in her life. I believe I learned she became a painter and lived in Simi Valley. I bet there is much more to her story!
November 7, 2021
I loved reading about Michel's sheep ranch experiences, successful, frightening, and disheartening, on Santa Cruz Island. An easy and enjoyable page turner full of adventure.
February 21, 2016
Sad to say, I have had this book on my shelf FOREVER, having it been personally given to me by its author, a lovely quirky and very talented artist I met in Ventura in 1999 before I immigrated overseas. It was no fault of her own that my reading of Michel's book came so late, as she's a wonderful soul and writer. Rather, it's mine for not reading her gritty non-fiction with an amazing personal story of her love of and existence on Santa Cruz island, tending sheep with a rough older man whom she later married.
The read is exceptionally interesting, though not for the faint-hearted. I myself am, and have been for many years, a vegetarian. So, for me there were several parts I found difficult to get through even though I was admittedly fascinated by them and her then. And how Michel, whom I knew as a sculptor and fine artists of beautiful mosaics that still grace several of the exterior walls of Balboa Harbour, made it through her island living experience is beyond me. Yet, it was her personal choice to live this way those years she did as shepherdess and grounds keeper, having survived some very harsh conditions only a stone's throw away from some of the poshest of civilisations, meaning the Santa Barbara, Ventura coastal beach crowds.
I have since lost touch with Michel and would love to get back in touch with her again...wherever she is, as she's quite the colourful character! Cheers
The read is exceptionally interesting, though not for the faint-hearted. I myself am, and have been for many years, a vegetarian. So, for me there were several parts I found difficult to get through even though I was admittedly fascinated by them and her then. And how Michel, whom I knew as a sculptor and fine artists of beautiful mosaics that still grace several of the exterior walls of Balboa Harbour, made it through her island living experience is beyond me. Yet, it was her personal choice to live this way those years she did as shepherdess and grounds keeper, having survived some very harsh conditions only a stone's throw away from some of the poshest of civilisations, meaning the Santa Barbara, Ventura coastal beach crowds.
I have since lost touch with Michel and would love to get back in touch with her again...wherever she is, as she's quite the colourful character! Cheers
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews