So Happiness to Meet You: Foolishly, Blissfully Stranded in Vietnam

by Karin Esterhammer

“A lighthearted memoir of new friends, delicious food, and culture shock . . . A brisk chronicle of a family’s (mis)adventures in Vietnam” (Kirkus Reviews).   During the 2008 recession, Karin Esterhammer was laid off from her job as a travel writer for the Los Angeles Times. No longer able to afford their comfortable lifestyle, she and her husband sold everything they had, rented out their house, and took their young autistic son to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam. They thought that teaching English and living cheap for a year would help get them back on their feet.   Boy, were they wrong . . .  So Happiness to Meet You is the funny, inspiring, and eye-opening true account of one family’s quest to regain their financial footing while living anything but the high life. Esterhammer tells of her family’s trials, adventures, and victories in adapting to a foreign culture, overcoming the language barrier, and enduring the kind of heat and humidity that could drive a soul insane. She also paints an endearing portrait of neighbors who unabashedly stared into windows, kept cockroaches for luck, taught Karin how to shop and cook, and ultimately helped her find joy without Western trappings.   Full of love, laughter—and a surprising amount of barbecued rat—this is a “loopy adventure and charming cautionary tale for anyone who’s ever dreamed of packing it in and starting over somewhere new” (Mark Haskell Smith, author of Naked at Lunch and Baked).

Genres: Travel, Memoir, Nonfiction, Asian Literature, Asia, Biography Memoir, Adult

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2017

Reviews

[Aoi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved every second of it! The author writes with such warmth about her two year stay in Vietnam (and among the locals, and not a part of the expat community!) - I feel like I know her vastly engaging neighbours personally.

[Dianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must take some time to digest what I read - but I neither loved it or hated it but I do know that I disliked Karin and Robin (the point of the book) quite a lot.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karin Esterhammer worked as a journalist in LA for many years. When the economy tanked, she lost her job and the family’s main source of income. She and her husband decided to live for a year in Vietnam, where she would work as a freelance writer and parent their young son, and he would teach English. Sounds simple, right? Well, things weren’t exactly that easy, but the way she relates her story is engrossing, readable, and touching. The tale is filled with humor and appreciation for the culture of Vietnam and a deep love for the people they encounter.
See full review on my blog: https://lifefullybooked.com/2017/09/2...

[Lori]

A book that I could not put down. Easily read in 2 days. Funny, laugh out loud kind of book. It gives one an insight to another culture. My mother in law is from Vietnam and I was able to connect with what was written. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give it a three with some hesitance. A lot of glib humor at the expense of those she professes to like -- and a gleeful self-absorption that made me stop reading for a couple weeks. But I'm glad I finished the book. I learned a lot, but I wish she hadn't offered so many repetitive anecdotes and had given us more insight into Vietnam from her unique perspective as the only American--the only foreigner--living in her neighborhood of Ho Chi Minh City for two years (2008-2010). She enjoys writing light, sometimes snarky, humor, and she's good at it; but she could have created a more significant book if she'd let herself pursue those parts of her experience that don't lend themselves to the rhetoric of humor.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karin Esterhammer, a journalist in LA for many years, lost her job and the family’s main source of income in 2008. Her husband, Robin, was unable to find work and they had accumulated a lot of debt. Their plan was to rent out their house in LA and move to Vietnam where it is less expensive to live. Karin would work as a freelance writer and care for their young son, Kia, while Robin would teach English. Their plan was to stay for a year and save enough money in order to return to LA and hopefully recover financially.

Her initial plans sounded simple enough but there were a lot of “snags” along the way. They had to make many adjustments in regard to the cultural differences which the author treated with glib humor through her writing.

I learned a lot from her unique perspective of being the only Americans living in a neighborhood in Ho Chi Minh City at that time. Her detailed depiction of their experiences provides the reader with a vivid picture of real-life characters and the neighborhood where they lived for two years. (2008-2010)

During their two year stay in Vietnam, they learned to appreciate the culture and to cope with challenging conditions. The author’s forth right writing conveys an honest picture of life in Vietnam coupled with cultural insights which made a readable and captivating read. Upon their return to LA, Karin and her family brought back many fond memories, life-long friendships and a sincere love tor the gracious and kind people in post-war Vietnam.

[Caroline P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The author did a wonderful job of bringing her experience to life - I could absolutely picture the neighborhood and all the many characters - who were real life people. She paints an honest picture of life in Vietnam that is eye opening, especially to Americans who perhaps have not considered the conditions in that country once the Vietnam war was over. Highly recommend.

[Lauren Erdmann-Rued · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite non-fiction books of the year! Esterhammer wrote with such amazing detail and genuine love of the country that it made not only more excited for our upcoming visit, but also made me want to move there and experience all Vietnamese culture has to offer. This book literally had me laughing out loud more than once and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in Vietnam or travel memoirs.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful read! Karin moves her family to Vietnam in 2008 after loosing her job. She thinks renting out their house in L.A. and living in Vietnam, which she thinks will be less expensive will help them recover financially. The family's adjustment to the cultural differences are treated with warmth and humor. You felt as though her neighbors were your friends, too.

[Phú Ông · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book! It is very interesting to read about an American experience of living for 3 years in my home country. I love how Karin narrated the story. The sense of humor is subtle and light. Would definitely recommend the book.

[Ciara Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a lighthearted adventure of three years in Vietnam after the 2010 housing crash. It's not a bad little story about the town I live in, but I think it fails to capture much of what is good about being here.

[Tally · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fabulous. I felt like I was there the whole time! A good hearted read with some laugh out loud moments. Thoroughly enjoyed :)

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just found the tone of the writing incredibly irritating. After losing her job in the US financial crisis in 2008, the author was thinks that moving to Vietnam will be a super easy way to make money. But did you know that teaching English as a second language is actually hard? And Vietnam is really hot and humid? After listening to her complain for most of the book, she finally realizes that living among actual poverty has made her appreciate what she has and so she finally moves back to LA.

[Lisa Tener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Really gives you a sense of the people and place beyond a travel memoir, since the author actually lived there--and not in an expat community either. The author's sense of humor contributes to a wonderful read.

[Gaelynn Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful journey through a trying time, filled with humor and grace. A talented lady indeed.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great look into living in a different country. Very descriptive & fun to read.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful diversion from the pressures of my Western life. I laughed out loud several times and there are some deep observations about Vietnamese culture and language. The writing is personal and engaging. The most amusing portions are often hidden in plain sight. I'll let you find those gems. The author is quite open about her shortcomings and foibles which is certainly braver than I could be in such a book!

The only real negative was the fact that I wondered how her neighbors might react to their nicknames if they had read this book. She has moments during the book when she displays her privilege but she does a good job of admonishing herself during these times. Now that I write this, I believe this to be a minor quibble.

There is little doubt left in my mind that the author truly loved her time in Vietnam and had an actual experience of living abroad and participating in the culture first-hand. That's a pretty rare read these days. I highly recommend this book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esterhammer’s background in writing makes this book a delightful read. Feelings, humor and challenging situations are shared with great insight and tact. The memoir is a very entertaining and quick read, with frequent chapter breaks, making it easy to pick up and put down. It would be especially appealing to those who love to travel and/or experience other cultures.

After the recession hits their Los Angeles family hard, Karin, Robin and their adopted son Kai move to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Though they’ve touristed there before, the story of becoming residents in a district where they are the only non-natives is eye-opening. While Robin is able to secure a job teaching English, Karin is left to home school Kai, do freelance work and take care of their home while befriending the neighbors.

I received a copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author/publisher for participating in the giveaway.

[Julie Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading if you are visiting Vietnam

I read this book on the plane on the way to Vietnam. I wanted a book about the people of Vietnam and not the war. This book fit the bill exactly. Everything Esterhammer says about the Vietnamese people is absolutely true. From the English without the last syllable to the way they drive, she was spot on. They are also the most gracious and kind people.

This was a quick and enjoyable read, even if you are only dreaming of going to Vietnam.

[Petrea Burchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of this family's sojourn in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is lovingly told. The people Karin Esterhammer met there clearly filled her heart. The neighborhood she's moved to is poor, and the people there have stories of sadness, impoverishment, and resilience to tell. They share them with Karin Esterhammer and thank goodness they do, because she shares them so generously with us. A sweet, humorous look at a place I'd love to visit.

[SheReaders Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love travel writing and this author seemed to really immerse herself in Vietnam which of course, led to a very enriching experience. I loved her descriptions of the food, markets, transportation and her district but mostly, I enjoyed the characters. Her interactions with neighbors, tutors, landlords and more make this story one to really embrace you. It felt like I got a good insider’s view of what it might be like to live in Vietnam for a few years.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A California couple and their young son move to way-lower-cost-of-living Vietnam for a couple years to weather the 2008 economic downturn. Author Karin Esterhammer's memoir is unique among travel logs in that the family isn't traveling to tourist traps but instead settling into an apartment in a poor district of Ho Chi Minh City and creating longstanding and loyal relationships. I enjoyed the author's authenticity and humor. Short chapters that move along make it accessible and easy to read.

[Jan Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, sweet emotional story of a family who moves to Viet Nam to wait out the recession of 2008. Did they expect to fall in love with the country--I'm not sure. And I'd love to hear more from the point of view of Robin the husband and Kai the 8 year old son. I loved reading about the culture and the people. Very enjoyable.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first memoir I've read by anyone who moved to Viet Nam. Expected it to be interesting because of locale, but it was more than that; the author is a wonderful writer - laugh-out-loud funny. This is her only book, usually she's a travel writer. Hoping for more.

[JulieK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid 3.5. Quick and enjoyable read, although she occasionally got on my nerves. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the direct transcription of broken English, although I also didn’t know how else it could’ve been written.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this was my vicarious experience of teaching abroad. It also helps me understand my Vietnamese students better.

Quote:
"Instead of counting my blessings, I'd been discounting them." (p. 237)

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I enjoyed her writing and the honest depiction of life in Vietnam. I think she glossed over a lot of things regarding her personal life, but it was a pretty touching story.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adventure!

[Reba Birmingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very honest and readable. It takes you on a journey to Vietnam and introduces you to the people she met. A really nice memoir.

[Lisa Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to learn more about the culture of the people of Viet Nam. The author has a way of writing that will make one laugh out loud at times.