Dormice & Moonshine: Falling for Slovenia

by Sam Baldwin

'Charming, funny, insightful, and moving. The perfect book for any Slovenophile' - Noah Charney, BBC presenter

'A rollicking and very affectionate tour' - Steve Fallon, author of Lonely Planet Slovenia

'Delivers discovery and adventure...captivating!' - Bartosz Stefaniak, editor, 3 Seas Europe


When two brothers discover a 300-year-old sausage-curing cabin on the side of a Slovenian mountain, it's love at first sight. But 300-year-old cabins come with 300 problems.

Dormice & Moonshine is the true story of an Englishman seduced by Slovenia. In the wake of a breakup, he seeks temporary refuge in his hinterland house but what was meant as a pitstop becomes life-changing when he decides to stay. Along the way, he meets a colourful cross-section of Slovene from dormouse hunters, moonshine makers, beekeepers, and bitcoin miners, to a man who swam the Amazon, and a hilltop matriarch who teaches him the meaning of being priden.

Struggling with Slovene, a language with grammar so complex it can cause brain damage, and battling bureaucracy, he explores the culture and characters of this underappreciated ex-Yugoslav republic, its wild beauty, and its wild animals.

A love letter to Slovenia, this rare, adventurous account follows a foreigner trying to build a new life — and rebuild an old house — in a young country still finding its own place in the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2024

About the author

An inquisitive Englishman, Sam Baldwin is the author of two books, a writer of hundreds of articles for newspapers, magazines, and websites; a contributor to one anthology and several guidebooks, and the founder of a Slovenian-flavoured design brand.

Having lived and worked in seven different countries, including Canada, Scotland, Japan, and Slovenia, he now splits his time between his home in Austria’s ‘Deep South’, and a three-hundred-year-old sausage-curing hut in the Slovenian Hinterlands which became the subject of his new book: Dormice & Moonshine: Falling for Slovenia.

Reviews

[Jon Thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a good read, and I would thoroughly recommend it for lovers of travel or anyone with an interest in learning about Slovenia.

‘Dormice and Moonshine - Falling of Slovenia’ covers a broad range of topics related to this intriguing country, including travel, historical, cultural, legal, societal, national psyche, cuisine, language, geography, celebrity, folklore and sport - to name just a few. As well as being genuinely educational, it’s also a page-turner that’s filled with intriguing stories, observations, and cliffhangers. Blending the author’s personal life with his relationship with Slovenia, it offers deep insight into what makes the country tick and is peppered with witty observations, anecdotes and laugh-out-loud moments.

Overall, a most enjoyable way to learn about Slovenia that I would happily read again and recommend to others.

[Sidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baldwin, a Brit, recounts his experiences living in Slovenia. I’m thankful that I read the first few chapters before arriving in Slovenia, as it caused me to pause and enjoy the rotating accordion player. For Slovenian travels, consume the book before visiting - it’s enjoyable and will sharpen your observations… I wish I had.

[Matevz · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Slovenian, I grew up surrounded almost by everything Sam Baldwin describes: the roadside chapels, the perfectly mowed lawns with lush flower gardens and, occasionally, even with moonshine strong enough to strip paint. Yet somehow I never truly saw any of it until Sam arrived with his British bewilderment and boundless curiosity.
Dormice & Moonshine made me laugh out loud on almost every page, because he notices the thousand tiny details we locals take for granted and turns them into pure magic. His affection for Slovenia (the good, the quirky, and the occasionally insane) feels completely genuine, never patronising. Reading this book felt like having a hilarious, warm-hearted foreigner grab me by the shoulders and say: “Look again at your own country, it’s incredible!”
Sam Baldwin has done more for Slovenia’s image than a hundred tourist-board campaigns. If we had any sense, we’d make him an honorary citizen tomorrow and give him a house in every region just to keep writing. Easily one of the best and funniest books ever written about my country, from the inside and the outside at the same time. Hvala, Sam, and welcome home!

[Brendan G · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother in law is Slovenian and I have been learning about Slovenia for over 20 years. I have also visited Slovenia four times in the last twenty years with my wife. It is a stunningly beautiful place. I bought this book the moment I saw it pop up in my feeds and I am very glad I did. I loved how each chapter combined a personal story of the author with a more insightful depiction of the country - its history, geography and people. It was playful yet informative all at the same time. Given the stories I have heard, it is a really accurate take on Slovenia - including the conclusion that Slovene grammar is likely to cause brain damage! Well done to Sam Baldwin.

[Lisa Sallay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nach "For Fukui's Sake: Two Years in Rural Japan" wieder ein Buch von Sam Baldwin, bei dem man am liebsten immer weiter lesen möchte. Besonders gut gelungen ist die Mischung aus Geschichte und Informationen über Slowenien und persönlichen Erlebnissen. Humorvoll, spannend und zum Reisen einladend. Definitiv zu empfehlen für alle, die Slowenien bereits kennen und lieben und für all jene, die noch nie davon gehört haben!

[Kathy Tominc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that covers various regions of Slovenia. As a Slovenian descent person learned more interesting information about my heritage.

[Marie Kushner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written with a generous dose of humor. I am Slovenian and he sure did hit most of what makes Slovenia culturally unique. Sadly lacking is a commentary on religion.

[Jamie King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book for anyone interested in Slovenia - country, culture, and even snippets of language! Loved reading it while traveling around Slovenja

[Anže · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Slovene, this book was an excellent insight on how you can live and travel through this beautiful country of ours, meet interesting and inspiring people through labour, work or just spontaneous interactions. Sam seems to have a talent for randomly meeting incredible humans who help him on his journey, and mostly make his life easier (but sometimes harder, which you will find out). I feel that he brings these people to him with his open mind and especially his no fear attitude.

The book is great and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to find out about Slovenia’s treasures, challenges and culture. Bravo gospod Sam!

First Japan, then Slovenia… is Austria next? We will see, but I am definitely excited for more.

[Kathy E · Rating 4 out of 5]

This simple and totally engaging travelogue of Slovenia was a perfect witty, interesting and inspiring companion for my first holiday here. It has taught me loads about the people, language, landscapes, history and quirks of this wonderful little country. My trip has been richer because of it.

It is written through the eyes of Sam, a British young man who fell in love with a little cottage as a holiday home but then moved to the country permanently - each chapter was punchy, educational and warm. I thoroughly recommend it for anyone travelling here.

[Hope Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was such a special read while I visited slovenia for the first time. there were so many parallel experiences between the author and me. it felt especially tender to learn more
about slovenian culture, folklore, and history through this book as I learn about my own slovenian ancestry. the writing had a a healthy dose of humor and was an easy read.

[Mateja Jamnik]

This opinion is written by an authentic Slovenian and a local patriot, which means that it was read with a strong critical eye :)
An excellently written book.
It speaks from a sincere love for Slovenia. Someone who has traveled it far and wide, with an open mind and heart. Who took the time to talk (over a glass of schnapps) with ordinary and famous people, and who has also read a lot about it. But he tells it in an unobtrusive, charming way. With a lot of humor and also friendly irony. You have to laugh at certain places.
I also learned a lot about my homeland, although I travel a lot myself, research and read.
It shows us Slovenians in the true light - with everything that is wonderful and that we are proud of, and also with our idiosyncrasies that stem from our history and character, and are unpleasant, but make us who we are (let's say we argue for two steps of the border).
I recommend the book to everyone, both us locals and those who are just getting to know our special homeland.
Thank you, Sam, for having you in our ranks!
Mateja

[Valeriya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've recently read Sam Baldwin's book 'Dormice & Moonshine,' and I love it! The book follows the adventures of an Englishman who falls in love with the beauty of Slovenia and decides to buy a hut in the mountains.

What I really like about this book is how it offers a fresh perspective on Slovenia through the eyes of a foreigner. Despite living here for several years, there were many traditions and aspects of Slovenian culture that I didn't know about. It's fascinating to see Slovenia through the lens of someone discovering it for the first time.

Whether you're new to Slovenia or, like me, have been living here for some years, 'Dormice & Moonshine' is a great choice. Highly recommended for anyone looking to learn more about Slovenia or simply seeking an engaging and enjoyable read!

[Javi Hernández Castro · Rating 3 out of 5]

What started as the mediocre story of a man having a huge midlife crisis that took him to buy a cottage in rural Slovenia and romanticise alcoholism and brainless neighbours; ended touching my heart.

It's true that Sam could've been a bit blinded by his unconditional love to the country, but he has strong reasons. We can agree that living in Slovenia is a big struggle at some points, but definitely a experience that leaves a beautiful mark on you.

[Jure Sodja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fascinating journey filled with unexpected events in the author's life, all while he keeps one goal in the back of his mind. Along the way, readers meet intriguing Slovenian characters who add to the richness of the story. It's a must-read for anyone interested in Slovenia, offering both locals and visitors a fresh look at the country's beauty.

[Mitja Medvescek · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is wonderfully entertaining depicting life in Slovenia, from an Englishman's perspective and I would recommend it without reservations to all travelers and all that would like to learn about Slovenia.

I could not put down the book and the author's humorous take on matters has really made reading it an enjoyable experience.

Well done to the author.

[Rose Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoiler alert: the tagline for this book should have been not so much 'Falling for Slovenia' as 'Dallying with Slovenia' because the author ends up abandoning Slovenia and his Slovenian farmhouse for Austria and an Austrian girlfriend. Anyway, some interesting stories in here (although I think I prefer Slovenology as a foreigner's-love-letter-or-possibly-series-of-love-letters-to-Slovenia).

[James Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This personal account provides an insightful glimpse into current life in Slovenia.
It contrasts the physical beauty of the country with the bureaucratic frustrations and what seems to be the endemic problem of loving your neighbours.
This is all expressed in easy prose with an openness about the authors’ ups and downs of life.
I enjoyed it.

[Sarah F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about his raw experiences across Slovenia and how he integrated as an expat.

[Alice Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really my genre, hence the 3 stars. However, it had bits of interest.

[Jake Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful retelling of a man's quest for a new home in a new country. I've lived in Ljubljana for over a year and this made me realize I have so much more of Slovenia to see.

[Tanja Šterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simpatična avtobiografska pripoved Angleža, ki je živel v Kanadi, na Škotskem, Japonskem, v Španiji ter Sloveniji. Danes živi v Avstriji (žena je Avstrijka slovenskih korenin), a se redno vrača v svoj slovenski vikend na Koroškem.

Vedno je zanimivo brati vtise tujcev o Sloveniji. O naravnih lepotah, prijaznih ljudeh in sproščenem načinu življenja. O lepem, a bizarno zahtevnem jeziku. Pa seveda tudi kaj negativnega - birokratske ovire, ki so odvisne zgolj od bolj ali manj zlobnega uradnika, in medsosedski spori zaradi zemljišča, ki se jim tudi Sam ni mogel izogniti.

Ravno pravo razmerje med faktografijo in osebnimi občutki avtorja, med lepotami narave in odnosi z ljudmi, med zgodovinskim trenutkom (epidemija, poplave) in intimnim življenjem (prijateljstva, ljubezen).
Prijetno branje.