On Island Time

by Hilary Stewart

Tells the story of the author's exploration of the natural world of her new home (Quadra Island off the east coast of Vancouver Island), and her search for the fitting house design for the setting. Including her drawings of various birds, plants, and other wildlife, the book recounts how she expanded her knowledge of the inter-connectedness of the local habitat, the knowledge she gained of the lives of past and current residents of the island, and finally her plans for fixing up an old run-down cabin and landscaping the grounds around it. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Memoir

184 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1998

Reviews

[Clara Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book! This book tells of the author's move to a special island, the building of her cabin, various canoe trips she took, all kinds of experiences with animals and nature, and even special experiences like attending the 'blessing of the salmon' at an island church! I especially love the line drawings sprinkled liberally throughout the book, showing us the cabin and yard in various stages of completion, the various flora and fauna found on the island, and other interesting things about life on Quadra Island. This is just a great read and a wonderful memoir about a very special place..I truly felt I was on Quadra island walking with Ms. Stewart on the deer trail or beachcombing on a balmy day. Very relaxing - a book to read before bed so one can drift off to peaceful island dreams!

[Janice]

When we purchased our acreage on Quadra Island, Hilary was our next door neighbour. Parts of this book, including diagrams, are actually about our property. Unfortunately, Hilary had a stroke in 2010 and has been placed in a home. We feel so lucky to have met her, and heard her stories.

[Allissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely little peek into the author’s life on Quadra island. Read this while we were visiting the island for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the flora and fauna of the area both in person and through her writing and drawings. Reading this book enhanced my experience here on the island and allowed me to experience the area a little more deeply. Loved it.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-published expert in native art and culture retires in a forested cabin on Quadra Island, and reflects on her surroundings.
This has been my bathroom reader for several months - a delightful description of the subtleties of island life and backyard nature - complete with hand drawings as well.

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something about islands, particularly those in the Pacific Northwest, that call to me. In 2007, my husband and I joined my father and stepmother on a two week cruise through the San Juan and Gulf Islands aboard their Richardson cabin cruiser. We explored Anacortes, Friday Harbor, Reid Harbor, Roche Harbor, Sidney, Brentwood, Cowichan and Victoria. It was an amazing vacation.

Later that year, I picked up a copy of On Island Time while we were on vacation (visiting my mom and stepdad) on the Oregon coast. I took it back to Nebraska where it sat, unread for the next 14 years! It took moving to Oregon and living in a similar environment to that of the author's before I finally felt compelled to pick it up. The timing was perfect. I don't think I would have appreciated all the details about moss and ferns, eagles and great blue heron, banana slugs and raccoons while living in the Midwest. I didn't know anything about nurse logs, scotch broom or bracken until we moved to Oregon. Berries from salal and and huckleberry, as well as salmon berries, were a puzzlement. Were they poisonous or edible?? I can now identify them, as well as elderberry. I can recognize an oyster catcher by its red stockings and bald eagle by its cry. We may not have made it as far north as Quadra Island back in 2007, but I know it would feel familiar if I ever found my way there now.

On Island Time is a lovely book filled with beautiful line drawings (by the author) and interesting anecdotes. I read it over the course of several months, many times thinking of local friends who would appreciate Stewart's insight into a quiet life surrounded by a forest, as well as the ocean.

We didn't make it to Quadra Island on our 2007 trip, but I still dream about someday traveling on those northern waters again.

[Tyson Supasatit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated the numerous sketches added by the author. She's an excellent observer. It made reading the book more like reading someone's journal. She covers a period of what seems to be about a decade, speaking about trips she's made around the island, improvements she's made to her property, and anecdotes about her encounters with various animals. Reading the book lets you live vicariously a bit as you imagine the pace of life on a small Pacific Northwest island.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It’s only fitting that it’s my last and one of my favorite reads of the year. I now need to plan a trip to Quadra Island.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Canada.

This book is for (me) anyone who dreams of living on an island. The tale of buying property on Quadra Island off the east coast of Vancouver Island. Stories and drawings about island life and the small wonders of the natural world.

[Babs · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful read! I'm ready to start drumming monthly to welcome the full moon over the mountain myself.