Herm, Our Island Home

by Jenny Wood

Herm Our Island Home

Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

An eLearning consultant by profession, Jenny Wood is an Australian author, artist and illustrator from Warranwood. She studied Fine Art with Curtin University and is currently studying the Bachelor of Illustration with NMIT.
Jenny has a background in education, specifically with people with disabilities and also in the adult vocational learning sector. Her more recent experience in eLearning design, development and support has enhanced her efforts as an illustrator and enabled her to develop digital as well as traditional print versions of children's books. She recently illustrated two books for author Rosemary Pattison, which inspired her to write and illustrate her own.

Reviews

[Nancyjd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book. If you liked the novel "The Guernsey Potato Peel Pie and Literary Society", you will like this memoir. Jenny Wood and her husband moved to the tiny island of Herm, which is very close to Guernsey Island, right after World War II. They bought the island - well, technically, they signed a multi-decade lease with the Guernsey Island government. They raised their 6 children on Herm and developed the island primarily with farming and tourism. A small population of other families and individuals lived there year round - all employed by the Woods and the Island businesses. Mrs. Wood is a wonderful writer. She divides the book into chapters about the schoolhouse, the wildlife, the farm animals, the horses, the boats, the telephone (or lack thereof) service, having babies while living so remotely, the postal service, visiting with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on their yacht, and other adventures.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third time I have read this wonderful book. I have recently revisited Herm and it is as perfect as ever even though Peter and Jenny Wood are now dead. The story of their life on the island is warm, interesting and inspiring with a love of life and nature. Well written with some lovely illustrations by one of the daughters. A pleasure to re-read.

[Francis Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book has been a delightful accompaniment to staying on the Island of Herm, three miles off the coast of Guernsey in the Channel Islands. Herm is 1.5 miles long and 0.5 miles wide, with sandy bays and beaches on three sides and high cliffs in the south. The book tells the story of Jenny and Peter Woods’ development of the island from their decision to buy the lease, with a mortgage, in 1949, showing the progress made by 1972, further updated to 1985.

The island was in a poor state when they bought it, essentially just a rudimentary hotel business, and the book deals with practicalities, demonstrating the importance of staples such as power and water supply, harbour and sea transport and the necessity of earning an income, which came, after many unsuccessful experiments, to be centred on tourism and dairy farming. In this development they needed to recruit good people to live on the island, which in turn required the restoration and/or building of cottages, a school, shop, post office and the ancient church and Manor House. By 1972 twelve families were living on Herm throughout the year.

Building one’s own version of paradise obviously requires continuous hard work! One cannot fail to be impressed by the progress they made, while happily bringing up six children. It is a fascinating read, covering everything you need to know about the island, including its geography, flora and fauna. It is written with love, awe and a sense of satisfaction in a life well lived.

[Agatha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, perfect for anyone that has holidayed on Herm or just wants an island adventure. I couldn’t put it down and will keep it to re-read again. If you know the island it will mean a lot to you.

[Emma Louise Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing read.
I bought this book a few years ago as in 2001 I actually worked on Herm for 6 months and I throughly enjoyed working there in The Beach Cafes.
The Island is paradise and hopefully one day I can return to enjoy the quiet, tranquil beauty of an island.

[Kamalbhushank · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is missing some timelines, but overall a 'GoodRead'

[Matthew Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful account of how one family resuscitated the tiny island of Herm, off the coast of Guernsey. A place so small, distances are measured in minutes A charming escape from the grim news that be sieges us day in, day out