How Does One Dress to Buy Dragonfruit? True Stories of Expat Women in Asia

by Shannon Young (Editor), Catherine Torres ( Contributor)

In this collection, twenty-six women reveal the truth about expatriate life in modern East Asia through original works of memoir and creative non-fiction. Their experiences are varied and unique, demonstrating that expat women's lives go far beyond the stereotypical. The writers hail from a dozen different countries and walks of life. Some are well-known; others are fresh voices adding nuance to the expat conversation. Through deeply personal accounts, they explore what they have learned about themselves and the world through their lives abroad. Together, they create a portrait of the modern expatriate experience that will both resonate and inspire.

With contributions by...

Susan Blumberg-Kason
Jocelyn Eikenburg
Leza Lowitz
Suzanne Kamata
Dorcas Cheng-Tozun
Pamela Beere Briggs
Kaitlin Solimine
Christine Tan
Stephanie Han
Edna Zhou
Kathryn Hummel
Ember Swift
Nicola Chilton
Eva Cohen
Catherine Rose Torres
Coco Richter
Jenna Lynn Cody
Saffron Marchant
Jennifer S. Deayton
India Harris
Philippa Ramsden
Sharon Brown
Neha Mehta
Shannon Dunlap
Barbara Craven
Michelle Borok

Genres: Travel, Memoir, Nonfiction, Asia, China, Biography Memoir

324 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2014

About the author

Shannon Young is an American twenty-something living in Hong Kong. She is the editor of an anthology of creative non-fiction by expat women in Asia called How Does One Dress to Buy Dragonfruit? and the author of a Kindle Single called Pay Off: How One Millennial Eliminated Nearly $80,000 in Student Debt in Less Than Five Years. She has written e-books including a mini travel memoir, The Olympics Beat, and a novella, The Art of Escalator Jumping. Her memoir, Year of Fire Dragons: An American Woman's Story of Coming of Age in Hong Kong, will be published by Blacksmith Books in November 2014.

A graduate of Colgate University in New York, Shannon's writing has appeared in the Hong Kong Women in Publishing Society's anthology, Mary: A Journal of New Writing, Modern Love Long Distance and The Displaced Nation. She writes a blog called A Kindle in Hong Kong and likes to spy on other people's books on the train.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Does One Dress to Buy Dragonfruit? is like nothing I’ve ever read before. And over the years I’ve read my fair share of non-fiction anthologies set abroad. With those books, there were usually two or three racy stories, but most were mild-mannered and more travelogue than memoir.

But with Dragonfruit, each of the twenty-six essays is honest to the core. They address issues that are difficult enough in one’s home country. But put that person in Vietnam or China or even Japan, and see how it feels to tackle some of life’s hardest knocks.

Imagine having boyfriend troubles and dealing with it on a rickety long-distance bus through China. Or suffering a miscarriage in glamorous Shanghai. Or spending your rain-soaked honeymoon with your father-in-law in tow. How about learning Mandarin from a gorgeous tutor who makes you feel insecure. Or finding out that your husband cheated on you while you thought you were living it up as expats in the Philippines. Or taking your disabled daughter long-distance to an art exhibition in Japan. These and twenty other equally-thrilling and challenging stories make up How Does One Dress to Buy Dragonfruit?

The book could have been about shopping, eating, and looking for work abroad, but editor Shannon Young chose these ultra-personal essays because they are the stories that resonated. And they’re the stories that are rarely reported.

[Angie Hilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a woman actually lives abroad, the patience of the locals can wear thin and the novelty wears off. “At some point you would think she would learn what is appropriate attire for visiting the market!” It’s that in-between place, when you start to feel comfortable, but not really, where most of the stories in this book take place. Each of the authors communicates their love for their adopted culture even while expressing their sense of “otherness” in it. Some are funny, others poignant, but all of them are instantly relatable.

Read the full review on WanderLit
http://wanderlustandlipstick.com/blog...

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful anthology! I decided to purchase this book as I had read other posts from some of the contributors to this anthology. I was impressed with how well put together each of the stores were. As well, I loved how each story was well-crafted to explain how life in Asia differed significantly from the contributors' homelands. Each story is different yet unique in the way they describe their experiences, trials, and tribulations while trying to find themselves in a foreign country. If you have ever lived abroad, especially in Asia, this book will strongly resonate with you. I highly recommend this book to anyone as it brings out feelings of happiness, disappointment, despair, and hope, while trying to learn the ways of living in a new world.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent anthology! It's so hard to find stories about foreign women in Asia, and finally I could find lots of stories altogether in one book! As an Australian woman who has lived in Asia myself, I could find stories that were just like mine, and I enjoyed reading about people like me. Other stories opened my mind to ways in which my time in Asia could have been different (for better or for worse). The book features a diverse range of authors, eras, experiences and opinions on their time in various parts of Asia. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Does One Dress to Buy Dragonfruit? is a new book that explores the feminine side of expat life. Edited by Shannon Young, the anthology covers the stories of 26 women, mostly split between Hong Kong and Japan (from Tokyo to Fukushima), and differs from most travel memoirs by giving new perspectives to Westerners in Asia.

The first, “Forwarding Addresses,” concerns shopping for tropical fruit and coins the title of the entire book. Written in letters, Shannon Dunlap describes her time in Cambodia and the difficulties in learning to speak rudimentary Khmer. The author even recognizes her own privilege in being able to already speak English, and at least she tries to adapt to local customs.

“The Weight of Beauty” by Dorcas Cheng-Tozun takes place in Shenzhen. Again about language, but this time concerning the plight of being a Chinese-American fluent in Cantonese but not Mandarin. It’s not easy to look like everyone else and be judged for not speaking the common tongue, something white expats don’t have to deal with. Cheng-Tozun decides to take a language class, and finds an empathetic connection by discussing life’s tragedies with her teacher.

Stephanie Han is another displaced Asian (ethnically Korean) and authors “Happy Anniversary.” Taking place in the important year of 1997 in Hong Kong, Han is able to eavesdrop on racist rants from the British. A romance in the second-person, she eventually grows past the anxieties of being a nationless expatriate.

“Jewish in China” by Eva Cohen also explores various ethnic combinations. Jews in China are often told they are “so smart and so good at business”, as this writer can attest to. During a Passover sedar, Cohen meets a Chinese professor of Jewish studies with an incredible background. The professor has even published works about the Jews of Kaifeng.

“Huangshan Honeymoon” by blogger Jocelyn Eikenburg concerns interracial marriage and her disappointing honeymoon in Anhui, with a father-in-law and rainy weather interrupting the expected majestic scenery. Chinese husbands are big on filial piety. It’s a challenge, as Eikenburg reflects on the early days of the relationship back when her to-be husband’s father was against their dating, but in the end she feels closer than ever to her new family.

Susan Blumberg-Kason, author of the memoir Good Chinese Wife, lived in Hong Kong in the 90s, and recently returns in “Ninety Minutes in Tsim Sha Tsui” to reflect over some very personal memories, such as receiving news that her Chinese husband at the time had given her an STD. It continues with a one-time meeting of her then-husband’s ex-wife. Don’t we all all wish we could go back and give our younger selves advice?

“Cross” by Safron Marchant shows a deeper side to the themes of pregnancy and motherhood. Marchant tries to start her own family by way of fertility treatment in Hong Kong. The trials are very tough; hormones and clinic visits can be devastating. “Here Comes the Sun” by Leza Lowitz rounds out the theme of motherhood. It’s never easy, as Lowitz fails at pregnancy and goes through the complex process of adopting in Japan. It is heartwarming at the conclusion, with the new mother’s efforts finally rewarded.

Some stories are not as strong as others, which is part of the deal when it comes to anthologies. From getting pregnant in Vietnam to retiring in Malaysia, busing in Bangkok, and vacationing in Mongolia, the range of writing styles and scenes are very diverse.

How Does One Dress to Buy Dragonfruit? is recommended for both men and women. Anyone interested in travel, immigration, women’s issues, and simply human stories will easily find something interesting within this anthology.

[J. Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not quite done with this book, but am eager to say that I've been enjoying it slowly. A very thoughtful collection of travel writing--such different experiences, such candor, such exquisite THOUGHT behind the writing... while the authors have all different backgrounds and focuses, they share a lovely reflective voice... making even a taxi ride extraordinary. While selecting my shelves for this, I felt compelled to put it in with spirituality. Certainly with self-development.

[Rainier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The stories were unique and compelling and I became interested in all the authors. The writings seemed like sketches or samples of writing to me, though; I guess I would have liked more. I've started following some of these women's blogs, having now read a number of fascinating posts, and I'll read some of their longer works, too. (I was also amused to see via a quick internet search that one of the authors whose writing I found particularly touching and I have a couple mutual friends - the world really isn't that big, huh :-) ?)

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like any short story collection, some stories were really good and others were boring or very tangentially related like the one about breast cancer. Overall it seemed like there were too many stories and that the editor didn't turn down any contribution. I will still give it 5 stars because there are very few books out about this subject - female expats in Asia.

[cantread26 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book at this cute lil bookstore in Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong on international woman's day. seemed appropriate for the current setting. it's basically a bunch of personal essays by women discussing their various experiences as expats in mainly east asia. was rly cool to read while here bc I had visited a lot of the places they were talking about/experienced many similar feelings while living abroad. was also nice bc am considering living in asia for some part of my life in the future so it was v interesting to read of their struggles/triumphs throughout their experiences. there's a variety of stories on topics from intermarriage cultural struggles/language barriers/living conditions/healthcare/etc. recommend to any women interested in/currently studying/living abroad in asia!!