Customer Reviews

Under the Neem Tree

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I am a two time Peace Corps volunteer and "Under the Neem Tree" truely captures the Peace Corps experience of many volunteers. The small accomplishments, the major disappoint- ments, the challenge of trying to stay physically as well as mentally healthy are all part of this volunteers story.

Not a glorified look at the Peace Corps but a realistic, gritty account of both the trials and tribulations of serving in the Corps. Lowerre tells how her romantic expectations of life in Africa contrasted with the reality she soon encountered- the heat, the hard life and even the parasites that invaded her body. Even so, she finds herself becoming attached to the people she lives among, to the country and a life that is far different than the one she expected. An excellent, honest memoir.

I enjoyed this book in the beginning. You can certainly tell that Susan is not a writer, but she gets her point across. The reader is presented with a vivid picture of her life in Africa, the challenges she faces, decisions and judgements she makes along the way. Eventually, though, it gets to the point where you grow weary of her self-congratulatory comments. Over and over you read, "That woman wouldn't survive a day in my village," or "Senegal is where I belong, not in this clean, plastic world (America)."

Also, unless you care to read a whole lot about fisheries and the work done in them, there is not a whole lot of dimension to the work. She comes across and bitter, angry and self-righteous much of the time, and it gets old.

Peace Corps is a choice for a way of life. I, she and several thousand have chosen it now and in the past. Though it is challenging and difficult at times, it's a choice. I see no need to condescend others for making a different lifestyle choice.

An okay story, but I recommend "Mango Elephants in the Sun" hands down over this one.

My Peace Corps experience was in Dominican Republic -- Susan Lowerre writes like an angel about her difficult, frustrating, wonderful time in Senegal. The physical [including health] challenges she depicts about her service in Senegal reminded me that I had served in a relatively "easy" Peace Corps country. Despite her travails in-country, what comes shining through in her account is her headlong embrace of life and her love for Senegal and its people. It's an unforgettable story.

I recommend this book to anyone -- especially, of course, former, present, and potential Peace Corps Volunteers -- with an interest in understanding other cultures.