A Broad Abroad In Thailand: An Expat's Misadventures in the Land of Smiles [Paperback]

Dodie Cross (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2007

A Broad Abroad in Thailand follows a newlywed expat as she tries to settle in to her new home and a life full of unforeseen challenges. Soon after her arrival in this exotic land, her problems begin as she tries to learn the subtleties of the eastern squat toilet. Then there s the near fatal auto accident on the deadly Sukhumvit Highway, and the final insult bladder surgery performed by an inscrutable Thai doctor who decides to restore her virginity, while an intolerant nurse is after her with a vengeance and an enema tube. Further complicating her life is the need to be medivac d back to the States after surgery, while her catheter tube sways in the breeze. As if that s not enough to slow down even the most determined woman, she also has to deal with her new husband s insatiable testosterone level a textbook case of sexual fixation. Interwoven throughout her day-to-day life is the undercurrent of absolute control and jealousy perpetrated by a most unlikely source: the boss's wife, Ms. Anorexia, who manipulates the wives of the employees with her need to control every aspect: from shopping, to entertainment, to friends. In the end, an unflagging sense of humor sees her through all obstacles, from the first pitfalls and pratfalls in a land whose people she has come to respect and admire, through times of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

A Broad Abroad in Thailand was given silver placement in the "Humor " category by Foreward Magazine's Book of the Year Award. It has also been awarded the winner in the Autobiography section of the National Indie Excellence Awards 2008 Book Awards.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I really enjoyed how Ms. Cross intertwines insight and humorous wit. If you're in the market for a good laugh, I heartily recommend A Broad Abroad in Thailand by Dodie Cross, newlywed and an expat in Thailand. She writes of adjusting to a new culture (the chapter on the Eastern Squat Toilet had me laughing uncontrollably). Cross calls Thailand The Land of Smiles, filled with tiny people willing to oblige. Happy with their lives and the future that surely awaits them in the hereafter. Her problems don't center on her change in lifestyle. She embraces Thailand with great pleasure. MaryAnn Smyth, BookLoons --MaryAnn Smyth, BookLoons

...Dodie Cross memoir is an unbelievably wild anecdotal ride. Her wit, wisdom and writing style belong to the Erma Bombeck school of humor. This broad will have you laughing until you cry all the while wishing you were in Thailand with her. ...this author tells a good story hers! Claire Vath, Armchair Interviews --Armchair Interviews

Dodie Cross makes events come to life. As I ve also experienced the life of an expat, I can definitely relate to both the ups and downs of international living. While one can tend to stay on the negative points, I appreciated how Ms. Cross mentioned the highlights of her stay abroad, including her work with the orphanage and her connection to the culture and heritage of Thailand. This book provided a delightful escape into a scenic journey to a beautiful place that I think every reader will appreciate. Vianna Renaud, TCM Reviews --Vianna Renaud,TCM Reviews --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Dodie Cross is a freelance writer and author of the memoir: A Broad Abroad IN THAILAND: An Expats Misadventures in the Land of Smiles. Her articles have appeared in the The Desert Sun, the Seattle Post Intelligencer, and as a guest columnist for the Lake Chelan Mirror in Washington State. Her articles have been published in the Monterey Bay Parents Magazine, The University of Texas Literary Magazine, RiverSedge, several expat e-zines, and many of her articles have been syndicated on writing websites on the internet. Dodie has traveled the world writing about life in foreign countries such as Iran (very foreign), Thailand (very lovely), as well as not-so-foreign places like New Orleans (very kinky), Orange County, California (very last week), and Lake Chelan, Washington (very old-world lovely). --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Four Ways West/Cross Publications (July 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419672355
• ISBN-13: 978-1419672354
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,103,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

BIO
DODIE CROSS

Age? Well, I'm not supposed to reveal that, but a sure sign I'm on the downhill slope is that lately I've been hearing my favorite songs played in elevators. I'm a Virgo-compromised female, very disciplined and have a strict regimen that I adhere to: I write four hours a day, play golf four hours a day, quilt for a couple hours, and watch Seinfeld reruns; these tasks are accomplished whenever the urge hits me. Sleep comes in 5 or 6 hour spurts but I'm rarin' to go by 5 a.m. I'm a hopeless romantic, love and devour memoirs--the funnier the better. I fantasize about Dave Barry, Bill Bryson--The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid--and me, a literary ménage a trios, on an island in the Caribbean, writing and laughing at each other's hilarious humor. Did I mention I'm also very humble?

Dodie Cross is a freelance writer and author of the memoir: A Broad Abroad in Thailand: An Expats Misadventures in the Land of Smiles. "After living in that beautiful land for one year, it took me a few years to capture everything that happened to me as a hapless expatriate in culture shock!"

Dodie's book, A Broad Abroad in Thailand took FIRST PLACE in the National Indie Excellence 2008 Book Awards in the Memoir category, and Finalist in the Humor category, as well as SILVER in ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Award, and GOLD in the 2009 Solas Awards for the Funny Travel Category.

She has received numerous awards for her writing and poetry, among them the prestigious Southern California Writer's Conference FIRST PLACE Award for Best Nonfiction for Abroad, as well as FIRST PLACE in their inaugural Poetry Award. Her online articles, which range from soup to nuts, can be found by Googling "Dodie Cross" or on her website at www.dodiecross.com

Her articles have appeared in the The Desert Sun, the Seattle Post Intelligencer, and as a guest columnist for the Lake Chelan Mirror in Washington State. Her essays have been published in the Monterey Bay Parents Magazine, the University of Texas Literary Magazine, RiverSedge, Expat e-zines: TalesMag.com and Escapeartists.com. Many of her articles have been syndicated on writing websites on the internet. She is a member of the American Pen Women, The National Writers Union, and currently a columnist for the Palm Springs Writers Guild.

Look for her next book: A Broad Abroad in Iran: One Strappy-Sandaled Foot Ahead of the Mullahs, an Expat's Life Before and During the Revolution.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's hilarious!, September 24, 2009

By 

M. Dingfelder - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Broad Abroad in Thailand; An Expat's Misadventures in the Land of Smiles (Paperback)

Dodie Cross is another Erma Bombeck! She has the uncanny ability to turn her misfortunes overseas into the most humorous prose I've read in years! Anyone who has traveled overseas would love this book. What would have sent most of us into therapy, she capitalizes on in her book! She's been through the mill and you will go along for the ride in this outstanding page turner. Her loss is our gain! The cartoons that accompany each chapter are great too. I intend to have her talk to our book club and do a book signing. I can't wait to meet her in person!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun!, August 24, 2009

By 

Dawn Judd (Kansas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Broad Abroad in Thailand; An Expat's Misadventures in the Land of Smiles (Paperback)

A Broad Abroad in Thailand was such an amusing story, and I could not put the book down until it was finished. Dodie can tell a story in such a way that you feel like you are right there with her. Despite her "misadventures", her descriptions of Thailand and its people made me want to book the next flight out so I could experience it myself. As other reviewers also stated, I was sad when the book was done, and can't wait to read about her other adventures. If you are looking for a fun read, you must get a copy of A Broad Abroad in Thailand.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Funny, September 18, 2008

By 

Tina "Tina" (Montreal, Quebec) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: A Broad Abroad in Thailand; An Expat's Misadventures in the Land of Smiles (Paperback)

A Broad Abroad in Thailand is author Dodie's memoirs of her experiences and her life in Thailand when she found herself living there, based in great part by the fact that the man she was dating, at the time, and now her husband was transferred there.

First off, I have to say that this book was quite funny. Dodie tells her life experiences in an almost "off handed" "oh shucks" way that both works well for the storyline but not so well for my opinion of her choices.

Cross will be the first one to admit the fact that marrying a man she was not sure about and then leaving her whole life behind and moving thousands and thousands of miles away with him - may not have been the healthiest decision she has ever taken.

Which is the part of the book that does not work for me. Anytime Dodie details anything about her life in Thailand that includes her husband, I feel an almost palpable dislike coming from Dodie when she talks about her husband. This made me dislike him in turn and wonder what the heck she could have been thinking about.

If I stick with strictly the stories that Dodie describes of her shopping trips, massages, pharmaceutical runs and general description of all things Thailand, I find myself thoroughly enjoying the book.

I think this would have worked much better for me if the story was Dodie's alone - I am glad that she finally sees the light (a little late for this story) though. I will probably enjoy her next memoir alot more.