Customer Reviews

A Guiri's Adventure: Barcelona Through the Eyes of an American

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Since I lived in Barcelona for five years, I jump at the chance to read anything published about the city. Unfortunately, this book just adds another dollop of cliché to a recent string of clichéd portraits of this beautiful port city. ... Paa-Kerner does a pretty bad job at a travel guide, a worse job of explaining the city's history, a really sorry job of making herself sound like an ex-pat who learned not to be such an obnoxious American by living abroad. If you're looking to learn about Catalonia, try Robert Hughes' "Barcelona," and if you're looking for some insight into living in two cultures, I recommend Lucia Graves' "A Woman Divided". Otherwise, you're treating yourself to such bits of wisdom as "OK, sure, I like to wear teeny tiny clothes just like the rest of them, I'm a bit cheesy. But, call me a prude, I don't necessarily think these hot summer outfits are appropriate for work. Especially showing the navel, which seems to be all the rage this year."

One of the problems with living somewhere else is that you're no longer able to see how things change in the place you left. So, without serious research or dedication to pursuing a theory slightly more complex than Paa-Kerner's--"we're all people and there is more than one way of doings (sic) things"--it's impossible not to come off as myopically obsessed with irrelevance.

In all seriousness, this book, has caused for the first time, a confirmed instance of the victim becoming "dumber" through reading. Brain cell damage incurred is equivolent to hitting oneself over the head repeatedly with a ball-ping hammer. It left me in serious doubt of the condition of the University of California educational system, one hopes she is merely a legacy student.
A film version may be a serious option for Jessica Simpson to launch her movie career.

My wife and I plan our first visit Barcelona in a few months. This book told me a lot more about Greta Paa-Kerner than I wanted to know, and a lot less about Barcelona.

I flicked through this in a bookstore and I can truthfully say it's some of the worst-written nonsense I've ever read dealing with Barcelona or any other city. This ain't about Barcelona - about which she seems to know virtually nothing - but about a blonde and her navel. Buy Hughes...

Hmm, Having lived in Barcelona I would recommend Robert Hughes' book Barcelona (given to me by a Barcelona native) for a more intellectual and historically insightful look at the culture. Barcelona is a complex mix of Catalan, Spanish, ex-pat, and tourist culture. If you want a "living abroad" guide try Culture Shock Spain. It's not perfect but it gives some good basic info. The movie Barcelona is also worth seeing. If you are a tourist and just want the basics, try The Rough Guide to Barcelona. Once in the city get the free magazine Metropolitan (in English). I lived there before Greta arrived, but I know some of the same people so our experinces may intersect at certain points. I was living with a Catalan so my experiences were mixed Catalan and ex-pat. It is a truly amazing city, but not the easiest ex-pat experience due to the cultural struggles between Catalans and Mother Spain ; )

Paa-Kerner never seems to shake free of her "them and us" mentality and thus remains for ever on the periphery of the Barcelona experience and reliant on clichéd stereotypes of the Catalans. Her twee little adventures might make good copy for a weekly woman's magazine but are not substantial enough for a booklength discussion.

I found this book to be a very good reference to what living in Barcelona is like. I am already living here, but I wish I had this before arriving!

Greta's style is personal, friendly and she has really done her homework.

This book fills the niche between traditional travel, how-to and heavy history books.

Read it if you are coming to Europe or read it if you are dreaming of coming to Europe!

I enjoyed Greta's book, especially as an American living in Barcelona, thought it was humorous at times. She shared her experiences with us as she adjusted her life in a foreign country, which I could relate to. If you can relate to this, then you will enjoy it. Don't expect this book to be a tour guide or a history book.

Most travel and relocation guides aren't read past the first chapter because they're so freakin' boring. This one is not, because it tells stories while it educates. If you're moving to Barcelona for a year or forever, pick this one up. Paa-Kerner enthuses in the fun to be had, and also shares her insights into the wonderful mix of cultures that will inevitably shape your experience as you soak into the great city of Barcelona.

This book will make you want to pack your bags and move to Barcelona (or at least inspire you to book that vacation)! This book is a way to see Barcelona in a whole new light... through the eyes of a "local". You get to learn about the culture, the experiences, the joys and the downsides of what its like to live in a foreign country. The author puts a humorous twist on it which keeps it interesting. This book would make a great gift for anyone visiting Spain (or for yourself)!