Planet Germany [Paperback]

Cathy Dobson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 16, 2007

After a decade of living in Germany, a chaotic British family makes a New Year's resolution to throw themselves wholeheartedly into the local culture. The process is complicated as the mother is founding a business with a German partner who is convinced that all Brits are both dysfunctional and poorly nourished. The year sees them bumbling through local festivals, getting into scrapes with authorities, and falling foul of the law, all aided and abetted by their eccentric neighbours and posse of cats. This book exposes the crazier side of both British and German culture, examines profound mysteries such as German fortune telling and sauna etiquette, and explains why dachshund owners are the most dangerous people on the planet.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Grosvenor House Publishing Limited (November 16, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1906210489
• ISBN-13: 978-1906210489
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,184,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful holiday gift!, December 7, 2007

By 

Rebecca E. Yarowsky "Sobaka120" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Planet Germany (Paperback)

Planet Germany celebrates the clash and camaraderie of two cultures as the members of Dobson's (British) family valiantly struggle to forge a life for themselves in the Rhineland. At once subtly humorous and out-and-out hilarious, the book had me ROFLMAO while pausing (on the floor) to read passages to my husband.

The book opens with Dobson's description of a festive gathering of friends for New Year's Eve. The festivities rapidly transmogrify into slapstick fiasco as the cultural disconnect becomes glaringly apparent. The Windsor soup, which Dobson has so meticulously prepared in a effort to impress her company with British haute cuisine, results in "a tureen full of brown sludge that looks suspiciously like phlegm." Needless to say, the Windsor sludge remains untouched by guests and family alike.

During the course of dinner, Dobson's friend, Birgit, attempts to persuade the children--who greet the roasted bird Dobson proudly serves with "Eurgh! Turkey!"-- that turkey is "just like chicken, only drier and with less flavor."

When Birgit refers to the Dobsons as a "dysfunctional English family", the following exchange ensues:
"'Dysfunctional? What do you mean, dysfunctional?' My jaw has dropped open.
'I don't mean there's something wrong with your family,' Birgit reassures me. 'The English nation per se is dysfunctional. Don't take it so personally.'"

The jimmy rigged fireworks episode, at evening's end, is too good to miss.

And the hilarity continues. As I'm only halfway into the book, I can't possibly give it away nor would I want to. But do yourselves a favor. Buy the book and pick up a dozen more as holiday presents. Your loved ones will most definitely toss the remote control and settle down to a joyful literary romp that they'll never forget!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Planet Germany, December 11, 2007

By 

The women who loves Rottweilers (Springfield, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Planet Germany (Paperback)

Planet GermanyThis book is so much fun! It's a heartwarming combination of the most entertaining stories, funny anecdotes, and truisms. I can't put it down!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very witty, entertaining and well-written, May 18, 2008

By 

Andrea Martins (KL, Malaysia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Planet Germany (Paperback)

Congrats go to Cathy Dobson. This is a very witty, entertaining and well-written book. It also has global appeal - it is not just for expats who are living or who have lived in Germany. Regards, Andrea Martins, Director, ExpatWomen.com.