Book pick: The Mango Orchard
Photo: RobinBayley.com
The Mango Orchard: The Extraordinary True Story of a Family Lost and Found
Robin Bayley
Arrow Books, 2011
The Mango Orchard by British writer Robin Bayley is a story of his journey to Latin America to retrace his great-grandfather’s path and find out more about the family history.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Arthur “Arturo” Greenhalgh worked in a cotton mill outside Guadalajara, Mexico. When Robin was a child, his grandmother often told him about her father’s time overseas, including tales of the Mexican Revolution. Intrigued by the stories, Robin always sensed that there was more to them than anyone in the family might know.
The urge to find the missing pieces continued into his adult life and eventually caused him to venture out to Guatemala, Colombia, Venezuela, and several locations in Mexico. In the book, Robin describes the two journeys – his own and Arturo’s – and recalls an astonishing discovery.
This engaging and charming book blends elements of a memoir, travelogue, romance, and mystery. Historic information is interspersed with details of present-day culture in Latin American countries, such as customs and family relations.
The Mango Orchard can be enjoyed by travel enthusiasts, readers interested in Latin America and the Spanish language (the text contains many Spanish words and expressions), and those who are researching their own family history.
See also: Jetting Around’s interview with Robin Bayley, coinciding with the book’s US release.
Category: GOOD READS
About the Author (Author Profile)
Pola Henderson is the founder and editor of Jetting Around. She grew up in Krakow, Poland, lived in North Africa, and has called Chicago home since 2002. Traveling internationally has been a part of her life since she was 3 years old. When she isn't busy in her day job, Pola ventures out to explore cities and their culture. View more...Subscribe
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I’m always looking for a good book suggestion. I can’t wait for your interview.
Leah Travels recently posted..Texas Tuesday: Tex-Mex with a Side of Funk
I had a hard time putting the book down… :) And I can’t wait to share the interview with you all!
Consider this added to my Kindle!
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..6 Months of Travel and Fall 2012 Plans
That’s great!
So cool that you’ll be interviewing the author with the release. Great stuff…
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Copperhead at Innisbrook Golf Resort
Thank you, Deej!
This sounds like a book I would like. I will read the interview.. and then decide!
I’ll definitely let you know when the interview is up. :)
Thanks for the reading suggestion! Once the school year is over I am always looking for a new book to read and this sounds right up my alley!
The World Wanderer recently posted..Reflecting on Resolutions.
Glad to hear that, Erin! It’s definitely a fun summer read.
thanks for the book rec! we’re always looking for our next read :)
the lazy travelers recently posted..thirty days to paradise
Anytime! I love a great travel read.
i have been so so bad about reading these days because i’m always reading other peoples blogs. i even just dropped out of my book club :(. i said “i’m writing stories, not reading them”. BUT this book sounds really good!! great idea, Pola!
lola recently posted..travel blogging heroes & lola’s TBEX stage fright
I just learned a new thing about Lola – book club past. :)
so glad you’ve posted this- have been looking for a good summer read-one of my favourite books in recent times was The Lacuna, also set in Mexico. I really want to read this!!
Fiona recently posted..The Photo Edit: The Beatles Tour in Liverpool
Thank you, Fiona! I hope you’ll get to read it this summer.
I don’t read much, but Latin America is one of the few regions where I’ve actually really enjoyed travel stories from. Thanks for sharing.
John recently posted..Confronting the Ethics of Zoos at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Wichita
It’s a fascinating region indeed!
I love books like this, especially being into researching family history! Thanks for pointing it out.
Raul (ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted..Photo of the Week – A Marathon in Vienna
My pleasure, Raul! Travel + family history make for a fun read.
Having just returned from Mexico, this looks like a book I would enjoy.
Traveling Ted recently posted..A lunch in Poland in the city of Hamtramck, Michigan
It’s sure to bring back travel memories from Mexico. :)
Great review! I’ll be adding this to my Goodreads “to read” shelf :-)
Francesca recently posted..Michigan’s Lakeshore Harvest Country
Wonderful! I’ve had Guadalajara high on my bucket list for a while, the book makes me want to visit even more.
Sounds like a book I’d read indeed. love when book capture historic from another part of the world too… thanks.
stay adventurous, Craig
Craig Zabransky recently posted..Sunset Sunday – Sunset on the Streets of Quebec City
I too enjoy historic detail in books. I find myself reaching for nonfiction more and more, or fiction that offers some background information or is set in a city I like, but in a different era. :)