Scan barcode
sarahlreadseverything's review
5.0
Perfect to dip in and out of. Stories that will make you laugh, cry and gasp. Overall a great introduction to travel writing.
kingarooski's review
3.0
I've often been homesick, but I've never been able to say for where.
I enjoyed this collection of writing about life abroad, about trying to find ourselves in another country. There was a slight similarity in the tone between the different accounts, but, overall, it was a good read.
I enjoyed this collection of writing about life abroad, about trying to find ourselves in another country. There was a slight similarity in the tone between the different accounts, but, overall, it was a good read.
heatherinthenether's review
4.0
I thought this was a pretty good travel book, and I liked the collection of essays giving different outlooks and writing styles. On the other hand, I was mildly disappointed that most of the essays were the same formulaic of American/British writers living in the tropics for brief periods of time. There were several essays on Asia which I enjoyed, but only two with foreign authors living in the US. I would have liked to see more variety. Where are the people living in Australia? The South Pacific? South America? Eastern Europe?
Still, it was an enjoyable and quick read, great if you enjoy travel writing.
Still, it was an enjoyable and quick read, great if you enjoy travel writing.
enridav's review against another edition
2.0
I am sure I am not the target audience for this book. I did not enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I'm not going to say it was unbearable, but maybe saying it was disappointing would fit it best. The 20+ tales can be divided into two groups: (1) those written by people who actually moved and recognized themselves as immigrants, and (2) the tales written by passerby who labeled themselves "expatriate" (for their own sanity).
The former were enjoyable as you could see those writers were actually open-minded and engaged in getting to know the culture and country they're experiencing. Unfortunately, they were just a handful; less than five by my own count. Meanwhile, the second second group was full of tales that tasted as snobbiness, tiredness of being abroad, and no interest whatsoever on taking the chance of living abroad to get to know different people, views of the world, and cultures. No wonder those same writers only mentioned they stayed for a couple of years in "exotic" foreign lands. At the end of the day, I was just as tired of their life abroad as they were.
The former were enjoyable as you could see those writers were actually open-minded and engaged in getting to know the culture and country they're experiencing. Unfortunately, they were just a handful; less than five by my own count. Meanwhile, the second second group was full of tales that tasted as snobbiness, tiredness of being abroad, and no interest whatsoever on taking the chance of living abroad to get to know different people, views of the world, and cultures. No wonder those same writers only mentioned they stayed for a couple of years in "exotic" foreign lands. At the end of the day, I was just as tired of their life abroad as they were.
ericabasnicki's review against another edition
2.0
I want travel writing to evoke a burning desire for travel. I got a few sparks from one or two writings, but nothing really caught. Just as well - it’s still lockdown and travelling isn’t possible. I think the biggest downside is that the vast majority of the collection comprises book extracts that can’t/don’t stir the imagination as standalone stories. I’m not an avid reader of the genre, but I’m positive it can be better than this!
More...