Customer Reviews

Some Far and Distant Place

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

 

 

Eloquently written. Jonathan Addleton demonstrates astonishing recall of his childhood years. He vividly describes people, events, circumstances and sceneries related to his growing up as the son of Christian missionary parents in Pakistan during the 1960's and 70's. The book is rich in depicting a marvelous array of comparisons and contrasts for one like myself who grew up in the same period in the affluence of North America. The language flows and captivates as it brings to life a world I previously knew nothing about,

I came across this book by accident at my local library. It reminded me why memoirs are my favorite genre. Addleton does a wonderful job of telling the story of how his parents came to be missionaries in Pakistan, and what it was like being a MK (missionary kid). This book is not hagiography, but full of insight, humor, and complexity. The only drawback is I wish that the author had included a postscript telling us what happened to him: how he came to be in the Foreign Service, how he met his wife, etc. Maybe he's saving that story for another book?

A Bapitists son, transported from The US of A's bible belt to Pakistan, because his humble preacher father,is sent there...Unfortunately, Chistianity has had limited sucess on the Indian Sub continent(Pakistan Included) since time Immemorial.What is appealing about this book is the simplicity of his secluded childhood although limitingly exposed to Pakistani children other than the you know whos...he paint's the hilly sites of Murre hills ,a favourite private school area and the acrid heat of Sukkur-Rhori-Sind area area....with childhood nostalgia and a Non Judgemental Tolerance of those of Islamic following...a book which should be on Mr.Bushs list of Mandatary reading...I know Mr.Le Carre will approve if he knew it existed...What left a undelible impression on me,was that even after over two decades of severe lack of sucess in Convertion of the Pakistanis...(I think it talked of three or four.).there was No bitterness in the whole experience...I would recommend this book particularly in todays trouble times when demonic words and arms are spontanously echoed in the name of God.