Charlotte's Story: An Undated Florida Key Diary 1934-1935

by Charlotte Arpin Niedhauk

Book by Niedhauk, Charlotte Arpin

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically the diary of a woman who lives on an isolated Florida key with her husband during prohibition (30s). This book was most interesting to me not because of the descriptons of their life in "paradise" but due to the contradictory study of the author, Charlotte. She must have been in some ways radical at that time, seeing that she's bold enough to dump her 3 year old child (from a previous marraige) on her parents and join her husband on a deserted island, fraternizing with rum runners and "Conchs" (native keys tribe). She often dresses in slacks and passes herself off as a man too. But the way she treats and is treated by her husband is pure 1930s. She worships her husband's every step and is constantly awed by how wonderful and brilliant he is, and berates herself for being silly and slow to learn all the sensible things he is trying to teach her (he comes across as very bossy and patronizing though, even through Charlotte's words). It's an interesting study in how times have (thankfully) changed!

[Allison Hepler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A memoir of a couple who lived for 2 years on Elliot Key, Florida, now part of Biscayne Natoinal Park but in the early 1930s a drop off point for rum runners and others who needed to "cool off" for awhile. Charlotte and Russ lived on this island 35 miles from Miami, managing a couple of lime groves, and making do with very little while meeting up with all sorts of interesting characters. They left after surviving the devastating hurricane of 1935. Very good writing -- it evokes an era that doesn't seem possible any more. Charlotte does not romanticize their life but it is clear they enjoyed it.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is eye opening to the power of human will and survival. The couple worked as a bad ass team to occupy a vacant key in the 1930s; even surviving the historic hurricane.
Great stories of people they have met during their time on the island. At times it seemed the the same old story, but being a memoir and living off the land...life was simple and consisted of the same everyday tasks.
Beautiful ending which I will not spoil; truly rounds the story off and make you realize how small the world is.
Overall, worth the read & very admirable!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been wanting to read this for a long time. The book had been a difficult one to find... I got it in the gift shop in the Everglades. After living in Miami for over 30 years I had heard some of the old stories. It was fascinating to read about life on Elliot Key during the depression. This was the same time period my husband’s family was in the Homestead area. I’ve added this to my must read Florida books(along with A Land Remembered and Naked Came the Manatee).

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Robinson Crusoe type of story set back in time with a gal from the City and a husband who knows how to do everything, come to settle on a desolate beach in the keys... Loved it!

[Jeanne T. Houde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Want to leave right now for the Keys!

[Jeanne Houde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every minute of this book. I want to move to the Keys now!

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story of a woman and her husband when they settled & lived on one of the Florida Keys in the 1930s. I love the stories and learning about how life was back then in the keys.

[Katy Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an enjoyable read and window into what living in the Keys was like a century ago. I am not sure I would have read this if I didn’t live here though - it is truly just a published diary. The content is interesting but it is not written well, nor does it have a flow or solid structure to it. It was very cool realizing how easy it was for them to get conch and lobster, what the Keys were like before the Overseas Highway existed, how they survived the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, what happened to fish during cold snaps, their mechanical and DIY ingenuity, and their interactions with Conchs, wreckers, and rum runners, etc., as well as some snippets of how life was in Miami back in those days. A must-read if you live in the Keys or have an interest in off-grid island living!

[Anne Vandenbrink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte Arpin's diary of spending a few years in the Florida Keys during the early 1930s. Coping with sand flies, scorpions, and mosquitoes and a deep freeze. Dealing with rum runners, drug dealers, and "borrowers" and an interesting group of natives called "Conchs". Living without modern conveniences, her resourceful husband teaches her how to extract a conch from its shell make a sculling oar and become a master at sculling a boat and navigating by clouds. They are two of the few who survive the 1935 hurricane.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of the book left me a bit frustrated with the way the woman thinks of herself with her lack of confidence and dependence on her husband. But the action of the run runners and other characters kept me going as Charlotte also gained confidence and did more on her own. The Keys sure have changed! What a great first hand account of a unique time and place.

[Tracey Shadday · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book ten years ago; I believe it was the first edition. I have enjoyed the second read so much better!

[Jean Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most amazing true story set in the Florida keys. Really worth reading.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not great literature, but a good diary about life in the 1930 in Florida!

[Jennie E. Johnson, RN · Rating 5 out of 5]

This unique book will grab and astonish you how this young couple survived on an island off of Miami. The hero in this true story is Charlotte's husband. I loved this book!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pioneer Spirit is alive and well! Such an intriguing account of living on a Florida Key.

[Kristel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very unique and interesting picture of a historical period and lifestyle in Florida. As it's a personal journal it gets pretty repetitive in what is happening.

[Chris Sexton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story of a young husband and wife as they built a life on one of the many islands in Biscayne Bay. Their trials and tribulations...their day to day life. Very interesting and anybody who has ever been to Elliott Key would love reading this story.

[Ashlee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this while in The Keys - it is really written like she is remembering it, so not exactly well written but still entertaining. (She remembers every detail about what she eats though! I guess she would have been my kind of pal!)

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories were great but the writing was lacking. It probably didn't help that she was writing this book 30 years after the fact. I had a lot of trouble with the timeline- it read like all of this happened in a week but it was actually two years. Overall, a good look into the Keys of the 20's.

[Kathy Eiferle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough one to rate. Her diary is so descriptive and thorough and while I was fascinated reading it, the writing had a lot to be desired.

What an amazing story of survival and courage. And, a perfect one to read while sitting on the beach in the Keys!

[Donna Delcheccolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great diary about a couple living on an isolated island near Key West in 1935-1936. Their description of weathering the horrific Labor Day hurricane of 1935 was gripping. This is the second first hand account of this event I have read.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A place that I would like to visit, but no longer exist.

[Jean Scheffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book. I have learned so much about ingenuity and facing your fears, along with a great history of the Florida Keys.

[Jane Llewellyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the greatest books about Florida. Patrick D. Smith is also brilliant, but this was probably my favorite.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything has already been said about this book. I could see myself on that island roughing it out as Charlotte and her husband did. A must read for Florida History Buffs

[Ryan Fortenbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Survival in the Keys at its finest. A wife's journal of how her husband and her survived on Elliot Key during the early 1930's.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars...loved how it was wrapped up. But so many characters I need to take notes.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the most well written book but an absolutely fascinating description of day-to-day life in the Keys in the 30s.- esp. fascinating to someone familiar with the area. I couldn't put it down!

[A Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my VERY favorite books. I love "based on a true story." It's amazing to see the characters survival techniques