Once Upon an Island Paperback – November 1, 2003

I purchased the original copy of this book when it was first published in the 1960's. I paid for it with my babysitting money because I was in 8th grade. I read this book over and over through the years until the pages were ready to fall out. Any time I was stressed with teenage worries I was able to escape to the island in this wonderful book. Over the years I lost the book. As stress of Covid, politics, and lockdowns increased I once again thought of my favorite book "Once Upon An Island." So after 50 years I ordered a new copy of the book. I enjoyed it just as much as I did when I first read it in Junior High School and I am now 75 years old! When life gets stressful you can escape to this wonderful island. I wish the authors knew how much their experiences on their island brought happiness to my life over the years!

David Conover, the famous photographer who took pictures of Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy, fulfilled his dream and bought an island close to Vancouver Island, Wallace Island. That was way back in the late forties.He and his wife describe the struggles they went through in "Once upon an Island" and then in the 2nd part of the autobiography, "One Man's Island", Conover tells more about their life on Wallace Island and their little son.It's a wonderful escape for everybody who gets tired of our overcrowded, too busy and too noisy world. I read it little by little each night before falling asleep and I definitely got a lot out of it.Both books have lots of black & white photos from the Conover family's island life.10 Stars!If you want to read similarly good wilderness autobiographies, I recommend Anne LaBastille's "Woodswoman" (taking place in the Adirondacks in the sixties and after...LaBastille wrote 4 autobiographies, one for each decade that she spent in her log cabin) and Kathrene Pinkerton's "Wilderness Wife" (taking place in Ontario's wilderness in the thirties), the sequel is called "Three's a Crew" and part 3 is "Two ends to our Shoestring".Absolutely wonderful books about living far away from the over-populated cities in the wilderness.

This book is so much more well written than I expected. This book is a romance, between two people and the spot of land they call home. I've been to Wallace Island and it is every bit as beautiful as described. This book is a sleeper. The specific incidents have enough universal appeal that readers see themselves through the "eyes" of Wallace Island, and become enriched. It is inspirational without being preachy. It is so very rich without being pretentious. Want to 'knock yourself out'.......? Read this book to someone you love. Easily five stars and so much more.

I took a flyer on this book and was so happy I did! A warm and gentle look at the character of two young Americans who drop everything they've known in sunny California and move to a little known area of British Columbia. The book, written as a sturdy and thoughtful tale of a wide eyed couple with big dreams, big problems and a love for a very special place. Once you start you won't put it down I promise!

The Conovers were a remarkable couple. They did what so many of us would love to do but never try. They're truthful, telling of the many hardships. It was not an easy life but they persevered and enjoyed the final epic journey. A great book with the many details of their trials, failures and finally successes. For us "city dwellers" who would so love to find our own island and start from scratch, It lets you do it through the eyes of the Conovers rather than attempting it ourselves. It's a great read!

Fascinating true story of a young couple who gave up city life and moved to an uninhabited island. My husband and I read this together and found it hard to put down. It was hard to believe they survived some of the difficulties they encountered, both at sea in their small boat and on their little island. The author's wife was an exceptional woman to be able to handle the life of a pioneer as they set up their home. It is well-written and the stories of what they went through are very interesting.

I bought this book on Amazon and LOVED reading how an inexperienced city person, with his wife, fell in love with an island and made a go of living there. If you think YOUR life is difficult, imagine buying a boat and riding out there when you never sailed a boat before.. Imagine trying to civilize an island with NO electricity, virtually no source of water, and all the challenges of the seasons.. This book was SO inspiring ! I heartily recommend it as a GREAT READ ! George LaTorre - [email protected]

I could not put this book down! It was adventurous and well written. Very easy to follow.

:)