Customer Reviews

So Far and Yet So Near: Stories of Americans Abroad

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This volume comprises stories from many countries in all parts of the world. Its authors are all Americans who live or have lived abroad for lengthy periods. Some of the contributions are stories in the narrow sense, i.e. they recount an episode or experience, are anecdotal. These can be hilarious, such as the description of an unforgettable train trip in China, or wistful or sad, like the account of losing a son while living in Greece. The stories of importing an American birdfeeder into Italy and of encountering a naked man in Penn Station on a return trip from disaster zones in Africa are memorable, worth the price of the volume on their own. Other contributions are more like life stories--how the writer came to live abroad, how it differed from expectations, what was involved in adapting. All of them illuminate in some way the various dimensions of the overseas experience: the uprooting, the joy of discovering the new, the divided loyalties, the new perspective on home, the process of adaptation, the affective ties to home, the reverse culture shock on returning. Readers who have never lived abroad will find this an eye-opener. All those who do or who may live abroad will benefit greatly from sharing this compilation of experiences, especially at this time,when non-Americans view the U.S. and its citizens more critically than before.

"So Far Yet So Near" is a well-organized anthology of tales by Americans living/having lived abroad. It makes great bedtime reading, as the 40+ contributions are generally only 3-4 pages each and often real dream-fodder. Contributors vary from those who barely dipped their toes in the living abroad experience to those who are irreversibly emerged in it. I was struck by the number of writers originally from the Midwest, and by how many people fell into international living by chance rather than by design. There is almost universal agreement that the "cultural baggage" of an American upbringing - e.g. the "can-do" approach to problems - remains with one for life, often enriching other cultures exposed to it. The remark about each American abroad serving as an informal ambassador could not be more true. The wide spectrum of experiences described and the frank discussion of adaptation problems and guilt trips make this required reading for anyone considering making the leap.

Great book. Will be of interest to any US citizen who has traveled overseas, or wants to do so, especially those who might decide to stay overseas for an extended period of time. Highly recommended.

Americans are not not noted for being multi-cultural or anything but monolingual, but this book provides a glimplse into the lives of some 40 Americans who are exceptions to this rule. It is a collection of first-person stories of persons from big cities, small towns and farms who went abroad for a viriety of reasons, learned different languages, immersed themselves in different cultures and have shattered the stereotype of the typical American. Some lived abroad for relatively short periods of time while others have spent most of thier lives in another country. But they all have one thing in common: They are proud to be true 100% Americans and effective ambassadors of their native country.

If you ever wondered what is was like living in a country that you fell in to, this one is for you. Every day is a contradiction to most every thing that you thought you knew and used as a basis for sane exsistance. Goes to show that there are other universes out there. They are called any thing but the U.S.A. The questions is "where do you call home"?.