An American in Luxembourg

by Mike McQuaide

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Humor

184 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2017

Reviews

[Emi Yoshida · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sheer joy of An American in Luxembourg is magically transportive. I started reading this book at Ernster, an awesome Luxembourg combination book and stationery goods store, and I was literally unable to contain my laughter at a bit Mike McQuaide wrote about failing at French, wherein he was yelling "nice to meet you!!!" repeatedly at a plastic bag. As our family begins preparing to return to the Pacific northwest after having spent over two years living in Germany, An American in Luxembourg struck all the envy chords for me: I wish I were this creative and fascinating and hilarious, I wish I could've made headway in a foreign language, I wish I were as successful at being transplanted to another country!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following "An American in Luxembourg" on Facebook for a few years now so when I heard that there was a book, I knew I had to get it! I've always enjoyed Mike's prose and this book did not disappoint. As a Canadian who frequently travels to Luxembourg (because of my Luxembourgish boyfriend), I could relate to a lot of his thoughts (like how could they speak so many languages?!). I love all the photos, the creative layout and art, and the intellectual but casual writing. I also liked how the book was organized into sections that showcase bits and pieces of Luxembourgish culture. It is through this book that I was inspired to attempt to learn Luxembourgish, but most importantly, it's full of reminders of why I love Luxembourg so much.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book in a bookstore in Luxembourg last week. My wife devoured it in about two days but it took me four. No, it is not a long or tough read, but it is very, very funny and idiosyncratic and gives a pretty good idea of why you too might find yourself charmed beyond your expectations by this little gem of Europe. We were only there for two days but got to take in the Scheuberfouer and saw substantial tracts of the countryside by train and bus and on foot. We too are from Washington State, like the author(albeit from the drier, colder east side), and while his passion for cycling is not something we share in common, the humility and humanity of this book (along with the many funny graphics and photos) make this a keeper.

[Julia Edelweiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book from the charming Schengen village and thanks to Mike McQuiade I felt like living in Luxembourg for a period of time.

The book is full of notable insights that truly caught my attention:
- no place in Luxembourg is more than 25km away from a border
- "farflung" means 20-40 mins away by car from any border (a relative term in Luxembourgish)
- legislative and administrative business is conducted in French (letters from ministries, etc). Newspapers are in German. Radio stations in French, German, Luxembourgish and Portuguese. 16% of the population is Portuguese
- at school they speak Luxembourgish but they learn and write in German. There are no text books in Luxembourgish.
- here's a 10 consecutive consonant word: "Angschtschweess"
- and "zweeeeëg" means "eggs that produce fraternal twins"
- and the list doesn't stop here.

Moreover, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the American from Luxembourg visited Cluj-Napoca, a beautiful city in my country, Romania, and tells about his experience there.

The author decided to move from America to Luxembourg together with his wife and son. Before arriving in their new home, they knew 3 things about Luxembourg:

1. "it wasn't a city in Germany"
2. "it wasn't Liechtenstein. That's the other tiny European country that starts with L"
3. they "knew about the Schlecks Fränk and Andy" (pro cyclists of the Tour de France).

The book is like a travel book full of funny stories but that kind of book that makes you feel like a local.
"An American Still in Luxembourg" is already on my TBR list!

[Agnes Marton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some more editing would have been needed (to avoid repetitions) but it's an enjoyable read.

[Szilvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It's uplifting and wittily written with laugh-out-loud funny moments. The author's personality is immensely heartwarming and inspiring.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My brother from another mother! Cheers to an entertaining book.

[Janet Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read; very light and enjoyable. True to what I've seen of Luxembourg, and very relatable.

[John Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A feel-good book about a friendly and beautiful place, was a breath of fresh air in the midst of an otherwise toxic time in our insane world. Author Mike McQuaide heads off to Luxembourg with his wife and teenage son when his spouse is offered a job in the small European country. None of them quite know what to think before arriving, but are quickly smitten by the people, the cities, and the countryside. Just as interesting, they are fascinated by the food, culture, language and the Luxembourgors' intrigue with the USA.

McQuaide's experiences teaching English are a source of both insight and amusement, magnified by the fact that well less than half a million people speak Letzebuergesch in the entire world. Another fertile source of funny stories, interesting interactions, and natural world revelations come from his bicycling experiences. Being a longtime cyclist myself, I especially enjoyed his tales about meeting (and riding with!) Luxembourg's modern day cycling icons, Andy and Frank Schleck.

The book is colorfully (and often humorously) illustrated, contributing to its 178 pages being a quick read. You won't see this on the Pulitzer Prize nomination list, but it's difficult to find a book which will make you laugh more. Perhaps just as importantly, as McQuaide implicitly and explicitly reminds us, the world is an interesting place and it would likely be a more peaceful one as well if more people got to understand first hand how others live and perceive the world. As testimony to this, he conveys the story of meeting and talking with a homeless man. "And I hoped moving forward, I'd be better able to treat the troubled - whomever they may be - with respect and compassion, and to not pretend they don't exist." Don't we all know some politicians whom might benefit from that lesson?