La Finca

Thank you NetGalley, Corky Parker and Mindbuck Media Book for letting me listen to audiobook of La Finca: Love loss, and Laundry on a Tiny Puerto Rico Island.

I absolutely love this audiobook. It was very enjoyable book about trusting yourself, self- discovery. Heart breaking and wonderful. Inspirational. I highly recommend this book.

La Finca was a good book. Fast paced and entertaining while at times it wasn’t as attention grabbing. It’s hard to rate memoirs because who am I to critique someone’s life experiences but I enjoyed most of it while I was reading it.

3.75⭐️

<i> Many people fantasize about leaving the rat race behind for a tropical island. That's what Corky Parker did . . . sort of.

At age forty, Parker surrendered to her Swept Away meets Swiss Family Robinson fantasy of running an inn far from her home in the Pacific Northwest. She bought a group of cabins built by women in the hills of a small island in the Caribbean, and for the next twenty-plus years she and her family split their time between Seattle, where they operated a thriving media business, and what became La Finca Caribe, their eco-lodge in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

Over the years La Finca Caribe, or "the Caribbean farm," grew into a paradise of fruit trees, mockingbirds, and ocean breezes enjoyed by guests from around the world. Sketchbook in hand, Parker began to write, draw, doodle, paint, and collage a chronicle of her daily experiences as she learned from the land and from local Puerto Ricans, all while working to overcome her cultural naivete. The result is a lively, fully illustrated graphic memoir about a woman creating a new life amid wild animals, political upheaval, environmental challenges, the dot-com bust, divorce, and hurricanes, especially the destruction wrought by Hurricane Maria, which led Parker to reconsider everything.

Ultimately La Finca is a classic, unique story about trusting oneself, self-discovery, accepting disappointment and loss, and falling in love with a place. </i>

I count myself among the many who have fantasized about moving to a tropical island. It sounds heavenly. …. This memoir is a good reminder that such dreams are rarely matched by reality. Corky Parker endured one calamity or crisis after another, both on the island and in her life, over the course of her twenty year adventure. And oh, the staffing issues! Nonetheless, there’s still enough good there to keep the dream alive- for her and for the rest of us dreamers.

Author Corky Parker is also the narrator of her audiobook, and does a good job at the task.

Thank you to Corky Parker, NetGalley, and Lantern Audio for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

"I'm not crying, you're crying" is definitely the perfect match for this (audio)book narrated by the author herself (a detail that makes everything even more touching, besides she has a sweet calming voice that I found beguiling - at some point she even sings!). La Finca is basically an emotional account of Corky Parker's life through a common thread for every event in her adult life: the finca, this cottage on a lush island of the Caribbean, which is both a backdrop for everything that happens and a character who plays a role in the story. The narration is so engaging that you feel part of it. I loved how the audiobook is vivid, even if there are no illustrations as in the written version. The ending made me cry!

This is exactly the type of memoir I love! Someone who has a passion to make/create something and then takes you on the adventure through the process. Corky’s story really appealed to me due to locations and her hopes of what she was wanting to create. In her memoir she shares about buying a group of cabins on a small island in the Caribbean which she turns into an inn and runs from her home in WA state. With frequent trips down… a slew of managers, and a well known guest. You are transported in the shoes of Corky and her journey through this what may seem like crazy dream/ goals. There was many moments let just say the whole book I felt transported to this place I could only dream of visiting. This book is super special and it is real life… you will feel inspire, frustrated and sad. Im beyond happy to have listened to the audio Corky did a fantastic job narrating her own experiences which just made it that much better. I recommend this one to any memoir lover, if you want to feel inspired, and if your working towards your own dreams.

Thank you to #Netgalley for a free copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review.

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My Interest

I have a fairly strong family connection to the Puerto Rican island Vieques. Before the likes of RFK, jr and his siblings were done there protesting the US Navy’s presence there, my first cousin, once removed, and my uncle (the cousin’s first cousin) had homes on the island. I’ve been to San Juan on business, but never made it to what my Uncle and his daughter (my cousin) and her kids just call “The Island.”

The life there reminded me of a hot weather, bright sunshine version of the life the 2ndC1r’s parents had in Norther Idaho before the neo-you-know-who found the place. An eclectic mix of summer people. or on The Island winter people, from academia, the arts, small business owners, big business executives, tired lawyers, burned out hippies, and returned Peace Corps Volunteers (like me).

When I read the description on #Netgalley for La Finca, I knew I’d found what my relatives found on The Island. I had to read it–well, listen to it. That it was illustrated with the author’s art work (which you can view online), and enhanced with her journaling or poems–those were a bonus. And, a foodie of all foodies, Alice Waters, makes an appearance? I had to start listening immediately.

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The Story

Corky and her first husband went to Vieques, discovered paradise, and bought a part of it. That’s the simple version. Corky loved the quirky, back packer-cum-Peace Corps Volunteer-cum hipster environmentalist vibe of the place they christened La Finca Caribe–the farm. La Finca. It was a going concern when they bought it, but to a very niche audience. That was just fine with Corky. She liked the charm of the amateur-built buildings, the mis-mash of furniture–even the bathroom with no door!

Eventually, after the three kids grew up and after the first marriage failed, and after the business she and her ex had built that made them wealthy enough for such a venture a billion miles in more ways than one from their home on an island favored by Seattle commuters who wanted a more countrified lifestyle, Corky was able to put her own personal stamp on the place.

“Its not just to save money. ‘Early Garage sale’ is more than a fashion statement–more than a ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ way of life. Besides being good for the planet our practice of using mismatched sheet and towels, chipped plates and faded t hrow pillows is about providing the unexpected–tossing a little whimsey into our guests’ vacations. They see immediately that they can let their hair and guard down.”

It’s no wonder people came back annually! Who wouldn’t love a place with hand painted floor cloth “rugs”? [Well, ok, the Hilton/Hyatt crowd, that’s who….but that’s not “us,” right?] Balanced precariously in the travel rankings somewhere between Fawlty Towers and India Hick & David Flint Wood’s Harbour Island, everything about La Finca was tailor made for me! If I was going to get on a plane again and travel to somewhere hot then it would top my list. Her guests may gripe that they couldn’t rent a car (during some of the years, they could have booked a Jeep for a “tour” from my Cuz, but….) and there wasn’t much hot water, and all the rest of the things first world types complain about

More than that though, I liked the way Corky KEPT GOING. If you read here often you know that since the RIF that took my career-job away post COVID, I’ve had to do a lot of “Keep Going” like it or not. I’ve found a lot of “bibliotherapy” about women, real and fictional, to get me through these tough times. This book is great for that. But it was near the end, when Corky has had her biggest moment and she begins to allow herself to see herself as successful that I really felt buoyed by this book. I KNOW how hard it is to give yourself that “permission.” All of this inspired me so much.

The ending–I’m leaving that for you to read, but if you’ve heard Puerto Rico mentioned in the last several years, you likely know. Here’s a hint–click if spoilers don’t bother you.

Now, about the Victoria’s Secret photo shoot? Finally a reason to look at it–I want to see more of La Finca! If you’d like to see more, check out Corky’s website and blog.
My Verdict
4.0

La Finca by Corky Parker won the Nancy Pearl Award for Memoir

Absolutely loved this memoir (and I’m not usually one to gravitate towards a memoir)! The story, the way it’s told and the way it leaves you feeling are all as magical as each other. Coming from a family hospitality background I related so much to Corky’s story and couldn’t wait to continue and finish each chapter. A must-read for anyone that’s ever imagined running an accommodation business, changing career paths, moving to another country or, like me, loves hearing other people’s life stories.

La Finca by Corky Parker is all about chasing a dream, searching for an escape, adventure, providing for one’s family and hoping to find oneself alone the way. But with great adventure comes loss sadly, and Corky endure a lot, through and unforeseen divorce, hardships of keeping the Inn, the death of her second husband and Hurricane Maria.

But Corky has this beloved tenacity to not give up with things get rough. She fights until the end and even then never full gives up on her dreams.

I loved this book and admired Corky’s journey. I loved her singing on the audiobook. Her quotes from Buddhist sayings like, “The trouble with chasing dreams is you can wake up”. So true. Thank you Corky and NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity to hear this story.

I loved this book! It's a nice memoir and taught me something about a part of the world I knew nothing about. The narrator and author is a 60-something woman who takes the dare to open a small guesthouse on an island off Puerto Rica. She goes through many personal changes and challenges along the way. Highly recommended for intelligent but light reading, perfect for travel or vacation reading/listening.

The title sums it up well: Love, Loss, and Laundry. The book is read by the author, and is the heartwarming and heartbreaking story about her time owning a small inn in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I chose to listen to this audiobook via #Netgalley in exchange for a review.

The author, Corky Parker, is the narrator of this audiobook and what a fabulous job she has done! Her voice is pleasing & and her emotion is felt while listening to her story.

I highly recommend this inspiring fast paced book of self discovery for any memoir fan.

After listening to her Epilogue,
I had to google Corky and find out what she’s up to today…be sure to visit her website corkyparker.com

This is a memoir of a family taking on running an inn/ hotel in Porto Rico — it is nice that they are privileged enough to be able to have a home in America and a hobby project in South America. I couldn’t take this book seriously for the first 30% it just felt so privileged cause most people can’t ever live out such kinds of dreams . By my standards this family is wealthy— but the story really began to grab my attention when her life fell apart and it’s unfortunate that she lost almost everything . The writing was good though and the author did a great job of narrating her own book . The families experiences interesting to listen too and how they overcame their hardships a bit like an adventure story-- treasure island . Her experience of losing her spouse is definitely relatable for me as well as losing everything she had . After her divorce I became more interested in her life and her adventures and struggles-- and how she put her life back together again. - she has some pretty crazy stories to relay to the reader . The ending was heart wrenching but thus is life.

Both heart warming and heart wrenching as Corky takes us along her journey of dreaming of La Finca to acquiring it, to what time proves this journey to be equally hard as it is satisfying. As a Puerto Rico native, hearing how she fell in love with PR had me smiling from ear to ear. I loved how she pointed out through out the differences between Vieques and the main island of Puerto Rico, and even mores with the USA. Slight touch on the political and social issues. Oh how I would love to go to La Finca now knowing this magical, enchanting place exists!
This book is describe as a illustrated one. I just had the audio version of it. Will have to go get myself a physical copy for the beautiful images.

A Life Filled with Adventure, Challenges, and Fun
Corky Parker shares how she and her husband purchased a tourist resort on an isolated island in the Caribbean and named it La Finca Caribe. The property was three acres in the hills of Vieques, a small island just off Puerto Rico's eastern coast.

There are many poignant stories about the challenges and rewards of living in a tropical paradise.

The audiobook is narrated by the author and she does a wonderful job telling her story with passion and enthusiasm.

My Thoughts
I loved everything about this audiobook. It was fascinating and entertaining from the beginning to the end.

La Finca sounds like a wonderful place and I am so glad the author shared her memories in this book. Corky hosted hundreds of visitors over a period of nearly 25 years. She has a writing style that makes the reader feel like they have enjoyed the wonderful sights, sounds, and people of the Caribbean Island.

The end of the book finds Corky a widow and her beloved La Finca heavily damaged by Hurricane Maria. The legacy of La Finca Caribe lives on.

This was a very enjoyable and interesting read. The author, on a whim, buys property in Puerto Rico with the idea to run, more or less, a tropical bed and breakfast. From stark naivety to complications with family and business, she learned as she went. She had constant, and entertaining, struggles keeping good caretakers and managing the property, but somehow - and with good humor and a dose of quirkiness - makes it work. I enjoyed the story, and especially appreciated the things I learned about Puerto Rico in the process. The narrator was excellent.

I listened to this book on audio and loved it. Specifically because the author read it herself so the words felt stronger and like she was sitting down at coffee with me and telling her story. Also for me I loved the idea of buying property and then enjoyed how the author shared their story and didn’t sugar coat the troubles of property ownership. Thank you Corky for your work!

I’m a big fan of audiobook memoirs read by their authors. The best ones make you feel as if the person is telling you their story, and Corky Parker’s “La Finca” definitely is one. At times the narration seemed a bit breathless, as if Parker just couldn’t rush through the words fast enough to express her emotions. Her writing is casual, colloquial, and quickly paced. The early chapters seemed especially rushed, although she calmed down a bit after the purchase of La Finca Caribe. The story of her life—and how it revolved around this inn on a tiny island off Puerto Rico—is fascinating and engaging. There are plenty of ups and downs to keep the reader’s attention. I can’t criticize the author for the ending: this is non-fiction and she didn’t make up this sad conclusion, but the epilogue was such a contrast to the vibrant, colorful, and energetic story that came before. But overall I really enjoyed this tropical tale. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook.

La Finca was a memoir, but a very different one. Yes, it told stories of the author's life that were joyful. loving, tragic, and harrowing. But moreover, it was a memoir of a place. A very special place that touched everyone who experienced it.

I could picture myself in all of the shoes of the visitors of La Finca. I was barefoot with the yoga retreat and flip-flop clad with the naive tourists. I wore mud-covered tennis shoes with the adventure seekers and soft slippers with Corky herself. I felt that I HAD visited La Finca with her words and I'm glad to have traveled there while I could.

It was beautifully written and I was soothed by the voice of the author as she relived the days of hardship, triumph, and love as she navigated the adventure that was La Finca.

Sweet memoir with a lot of fun stories! Tells the tale of trials and triumph in a relatable way. Loved it!

Narrated by the author this is an engaging story of one woman's perseverance through adversity to achieve her dream of owning and running an inn that is unusual, and friendly, and comfortable. I loved listening to this book. It was great knowing the narrator was the author. She told the story well, and made me want to go stay at La Finca. (spoiler alert) Without any prior knowledge of the inn, it was disappointing to find out it was destroyed, but sort of made it more of a fairy tale of something amazing that was not available to us any longer.