How Not To Live Abroad

by Shaun Briley

* from USA. Will take 25-35 days

Genres: Travel, Spain, Memoir, Nonfiction

282 pages

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening and Hilarious Misconceptions/Misadventures of a couple who moved from UK to Spain!
I had so much fun reading this book.I love hearing of personal experiences and reading of other cultures,so I thought this would be a great book to read about both combined since it is a book about a young couple who move to a vastly different country.

This book had me laughing out loud so much while at the same time giving great insight to some pitfalls to expect/avoid. The author is genuinely funny,and I doubt I will ever forget his writing that he and his girlfriend had to give up on the idea of sunbathing on their new patio they built because "it felt too much like cremation",LOL!

Reading about their trials with trying to get electricity,the goats and the almond orchard,and really just everything,was as much fun as watching the movie,The Money Pit!

I also very much appreciated that the book was 'clean' not full of profanity like those by Bill Bryson!

For anyone who ever loved an entertaining teacher who had the talent to mix great humor with their lessons, I highly recommend "How Not To Live Abroad".

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. I found it fun and witty and a quick read (mainly because I kept wanting to know what new adventure the next chapter would bring). I recommend it to anyone who thinks their life is rough!

[Darryl Templer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found myself chuckling and laughing frequently as I followed the exploits of this young couple as they try to live simplistically in a back-to-nature style in a cheap, rustic Spanish 10 acre farm/orchard without electricity and indoor plumbing. An optimistic attitude coupled with lack of experience reveal clashes in philosophy, visions for the future, and work allocation that provide more food for hilarity. We not only get to know the couple but also their neighbors and customs in this valley in the back country in their attempt to achieve self-sufficiency and achieve basic needs we take for granted. Their very limited budget adds fodder for unexpected surprises in their endeavors. I doubt the author in his memoir ten years ago, when he included a photo of his rustic shower, envisioned he would become the head librarian in La Jolla today.
Mary

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author and his girlfriend leave their day-to-day lives for a vacation in Spain, find themselves buying an extremely "rustic" house, and living there for about a year. The house is literally crumbling all around them. No water. No electricity. No indoor toilet, or outhouse, for that matter. Briley's stories are very enjoyable, not only about his trials and tribulations with the house, but also his reflections on the cast of local characters that he becomes acquainted with. I would love to read a sequel.

[Mick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comical view of expatriates attempt at "the simple life." If you've ever dreamed of dropping out and setting up house abroad this is a how to....in reverse.

[Andre · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most enjoyable read. Just prior to visiting Portugal and Spain on vacation, I found this gem in a free book exchange cabinet while walking my dog in our dog park. It is beautifully written and provokes smiles and laughter.
There is a deeper message about modern society that I also enjoyed.
One of my best reads this year.

[Terrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more than I did...It was definitely really funny in places and certainly different from most "let's buy a farm" books. I think it was just too repetitive and needed better editing.

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. I felt it started to drag towards the end, and I was starting to have other issues with the book at that time, too. But a solid 3 stars for me; 4 stars for parts of the book.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of the author and his girl friend's decision to purchase a rustic farmhouse in a remote area of southern Spain. Although some of the experiences of their adventure are humorous, there's not much depth to the story or their relationship...and neither last.

[Christiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I would have liked to also hear the point of view of his girlfriend, because it was tedious after a bit to to read how she blamed him for most everything. Also the inconsistency in his ability to understand and speak the language.

The ending also was rushed.

[Wendy Welch · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dude, you can't write

[Jennww2ns · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gave up at Chapter 7.