Review: Notes From a Very Small Island by Anthony Stancomb
*I received a copy of the book from the author for an honest review
A talented person is talented at everything, I must say. And Anthony Stancomb, once quite a successful businessman, proves this fact by writing this wonderful book, an autobiography full of wit and humor. Businessmen sometimes get tired of hectic way of life, and so did the author, which led to him leaving England and going to a small Croatian Island to live a peaceful life surrounded by the beauties of nature. Do you fancy this idea? I do, really. But it turns out that it only sounds so easy, while the reality is a bit harsh when it comes to the relationship between the native islanders and the newcomers. And the Croatian heritage of Stancomb’s wife, Ivana, is no help here. The vestiges of the Communism still remain on this island, and the former communists resent the English couple even more. You have to win their trust, to break the ice. I loved the style and the manner in which the author told us his story. It seemed like he can find humor in any situation, and I like a good laugh! But this book is not only an entertaining kind. It’s also very educational. It dwells on the relationships between people, carefully depicting each character, making you feel as if you visited the island and actually knew its inhabitants.
I recommend this book to everyone interested in travel memoirs!
