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Falling for London: A Cautionary Tale
When Sean Mallen finally landed his dream job, it fell on him like a ton of bricks. Not unlike the plaster in his crappy, overpriced London flat.
The veteran journalist was ecstatic when he unexpectedly got the chance he’d always to be a London-based foreign correspondent. It meant living in a great city and covering great events, starting with the Royal Wedding of William and Kate. his tearful wife and six-year-old daughter hated the idea of uprooting their lives and moving to another country.
Falling for London is the hilarious and touching story of how he convinced them to go, how they learned to live in and love that wondrous but challenging city, and how his dream came true in ways he could have never expected.
The veteran journalist was ecstatic when he unexpectedly got the chance he’d always to be a London-based foreign correspondent. It meant living in a great city and covering great events, starting with the Royal Wedding of William and Kate. his tearful wife and six-year-old daughter hated the idea of uprooting their lives and moving to another country.
Falling for London is the hilarious and touching story of how he convinced them to go, how they learned to live in and love that wondrous but challenging city, and how his dream came true in ways he could have never expected.
344 pages, Paperback
Published November 6, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 30, 2018
This book was interesting, but it also had a negative tone that was offputting. The author clearly loved working in London, but his wife and daughter clearly hated the experience. All the whining from the family, in my opinion, completely soured what could have been a pretty good book.
Also, the author is a foreign correspondent based in London, but his travels take him to a number of other cities. His description of his travels took the book in many directions readers interested in London might not expect or find interesting. This book needed another draft.
Also, the author is a foreign correspondent based in London, but his travels take him to a number of other cities. His description of his travels took the book in many directions readers interested in London might not expect or find interesting. This book needed another draft.
February 13, 2019
I really enjoyed most of this book. However, I did not find his wife to be very likeable. Griping constantly and being rather vicious to her husband who was trying to do a difficult job and appease her and their daughter set my teeth on edge. I enjoyed the portions concerning his job as a foreign correspondent and the issues he encountered. How much easier it would have been for him to have a supportive wife who occasionally had a kind word for him. She seemed to be encouraging the child to have melt downs if everything was not to her liking. Bah.
April 10, 2019
2.5. I'm not sure he meant to have his wife come across as a whingy shrew and his daughter as a spoiled brat. Fell flat for me.
June 26, 2018
I don't generally read memoirs, but this one really stood out for me because I'm obsessed with all things London.
Sean Mallen is truly a master storyteller. This book had so many intriguing elements: touching family stories, exotic travel tales, informative anecdotes of being a TV journalist, and laugh-out-loud moments of culture shock. It was diverse, well-written, genuine, transparent, and fun.
My only problem was the political events and conflicts that he covered in Russia, Egypt, and Greece. Mallen did a good job of describing them and providing context, but I do feel that they were covered a bit extensively for the title to be "Falling for London". I definitely appreciated him describing his travels, so I don't want to take away from that, but I think those chapters could have been edited down a little.
Thank you to Dundurn and Netgalley for this Advanced Reader Copy.
Sean Mallen is truly a master storyteller. This book had so many intriguing elements: touching family stories, exotic travel tales, informative anecdotes of being a TV journalist, and laugh-out-loud moments of culture shock. It was diverse, well-written, genuine, transparent, and fun.
My only problem was the political events and conflicts that he covered in Russia, Egypt, and Greece. Mallen did a good job of describing them and providing context, but I do feel that they were covered a bit extensively for the title to be "Falling for London". I definitely appreciated him describing his travels, so I don't want to take away from that, but I think those chapters could have been edited down a little.
Thank you to Dundurn and Netgalley for this Advanced Reader Copy.
December 8, 2018
Sean Mallen was a Canadian foreign correspondent when he was sent to London for work in 2012. Mallen's lifelong dream was to live in London, so he jumped at the opportunity, despite the fact that his wife and daughter weren't thrilled about the prospect.
The year + covered in the book was anything but smooth sailing. Mallen and his family struggled to become acclimated. The living situation was challenging, and Mallen's daughter Julia also struggled with starting a new school in a foreign country. There were many instances of discord and frustration, and Mallen didn't shy away from writing about it.
I much preferred the sections of the book where Mallen described the daily living with his family. I found myself relating to it, despite the fact that I've never lived in a new place, let alone a foreign country. I couldn't always understand his wife's reactions--she seemed to be angry the majority of the time. Mallen constantly described her shooting daggers at him or admonishing him. He didn't seem to describe any loving moments between the two of them, just browbeating. I actually was convinced when I finished the book that they had inevitably divorced. Social media indicates otherwise. So while it made for good reading, it was also sad and I wouldn't have been too pleased if I were his wife. He claimed she was happy at the end of the book, but I didn't see that transformation.
The parts of the book where Mallen was working and traveling just didn't interest me as much. They fell a bit flat and I found myself waiting for the moment when I could hear more about his time in London and with his family. Having just visited London myself for the first time last year, the London setting also was more familiar and interesting to me (I loved the part where the Mounties stood in for the Household Cavalry, having had a chance to visit the HC on my trip, which included visiting the horses as well.)
Overall, this was a fascinating travelogue and I'm glad I read it. I think reading it as a physical book instead of an ebook would have been better for me in this case because I read faster with print books and I could have had better momentum. I really enjoyed Mallen's voice and sense of humor--some of his remarks had me laughing aloud.
The year + covered in the book was anything but smooth sailing. Mallen and his family struggled to become acclimated. The living situation was challenging, and Mallen's daughter Julia also struggled with starting a new school in a foreign country. There were many instances of discord and frustration, and Mallen didn't shy away from writing about it.
I much preferred the sections of the book where Mallen described the daily living with his family. I found myself relating to it, despite the fact that I've never lived in a new place, let alone a foreign country. I couldn't always understand his wife's reactions--she seemed to be angry the majority of the time. Mallen constantly described her shooting daggers at him or admonishing him. He didn't seem to describe any loving moments between the two of them, just browbeating. I actually was convinced when I finished the book that they had inevitably divorced. Social media indicates otherwise. So while it made for good reading, it was also sad and I wouldn't have been too pleased if I were his wife. He claimed she was happy at the end of the book, but I didn't see that transformation.
The parts of the book where Mallen was working and traveling just didn't interest me as much. They fell a bit flat and I found myself waiting for the moment when I could hear more about his time in London and with his family. Having just visited London myself for the first time last year, the London setting also was more familiar and interesting to me (I loved the part where the Mounties stood in for the Household Cavalry, having had a chance to visit the HC on my trip, which included visiting the horses as well.)
Overall, this was a fascinating travelogue and I'm glad I read it. I think reading it as a physical book instead of an ebook would have been better for me in this case because I read faster with print books and I could have had better momentum. I really enjoyed Mallen's voice and sense of humor--some of his remarks had me laughing aloud.
November 7, 2018
I received Falling for London as an ARC from the publisher. Being a Londoner myself, I thought it might be amusing to see my city through the eyes of a visitor. Also, I do like a good travel story. I had high hopes.
Falling for London is witty, heartwarming, and interesting. I very much enjoyed reading about Sean’s exploits, and laughed along with him (sometimes at him) as he described his time in London. Seeing the world through the eyes of someone else is always intriguing, but it’s definitely better when you’re in the hands of a consummate storyteller.
The style is Gonzo-journalism, a tame version of Hunter S. Thompson, with a little colloquial flare. It had a strong sense of voice, which gave a real personality to the story. The plot moves from one amusing anecdote to the next at a fast trot, with plenty of tidbits of detail to hook the reader. It was a little hard to decide whether Mallon genuinely enjoyed living in London, or just liked making quips about it. But London is a hard city. I would defy anyone to enjoy living here full time.
It was a little frustrating to watch someone make so many mistakes. Being a Londoner, I cannot for the life of me imagine why anyone would look for a rental property in Camden or Hampstead Heath. I mean, it is completely unaffordable. You’d either have to a be millionaire, or live in a rat hole. Most Londoners live outside and commute in. Plus, why would you want to be in Central London if you didn’t have to? It’s noisy, and dirty, and full of tourists. I have to say, there was some tutting… Like, why did no-one tell him this stuff? And if I have to hear one more time that London’s beer is always served warm… That just isn’t remotely true. Go out for craft beer, stop going to Wetherspoon’s… Jeez.
Despite the frustration of a Londoner, who wanted to set the author straight on a few points, and said “d’oh!” a couple of times, I very much enjoyed Falling for London and would recommend it for anyone who likes biographies and travel books. Just don’t buy it as a guide to the city…
Falling for London is witty, heartwarming, and interesting. I very much enjoyed reading about Sean’s exploits, and laughed along with him (sometimes at him) as he described his time in London. Seeing the world through the eyes of someone else is always intriguing, but it’s definitely better when you’re in the hands of a consummate storyteller.
The style is Gonzo-journalism, a tame version of Hunter S. Thompson, with a little colloquial flare. It had a strong sense of voice, which gave a real personality to the story. The plot moves from one amusing anecdote to the next at a fast trot, with plenty of tidbits of detail to hook the reader. It was a little hard to decide whether Mallon genuinely enjoyed living in London, or just liked making quips about it. But London is a hard city. I would defy anyone to enjoy living here full time.
It was a little frustrating to watch someone make so many mistakes. Being a Londoner, I cannot for the life of me imagine why anyone would look for a rental property in Camden or Hampstead Heath. I mean, it is completely unaffordable. You’d either have to a be millionaire, or live in a rat hole. Most Londoners live outside and commute in. Plus, why would you want to be in Central London if you didn’t have to? It’s noisy, and dirty, and full of tourists. I have to say, there was some tutting… Like, why did no-one tell him this stuff? And if I have to hear one more time that London’s beer is always served warm… That just isn’t remotely true. Go out for craft beer, stop going to Wetherspoon’s… Jeez.
Despite the frustration of a Londoner, who wanted to set the author straight on a few points, and said “d’oh!” a couple of times, I very much enjoyed Falling for London and would recommend it for anyone who likes biographies and travel books. Just don’t buy it as a guide to the city…
June 26, 2018
After having read "Falling for London" I could easily imagine Sean Mallen on the top of a mountain wielding a sword as he simultaneously fights three battles, his job as a journalist, his family and his landlord. (I suspect the landlord was his fiercest opponent).
As a Canadian journalist, it was Sean Mallen's lifelong dream to live the life of an expat in London. The museums, the pageantry, the travel and the food were irresistibly luring him to the other side of the pond.
Battle No. 1 - wife and daughter. Not amused. Isabella, his wife was not going to give up their friends, newly renovated kitchen and successful career. Julia, his daughter ditto (except for the kitchen and career).
Battle No. 2 - Frequent travel to assignments to other countries would inevitably lead to an emotional tug of war and threats of "don't expect to find us when you come back". Trying to find a balance between work and family proved to be a greater challenge than he expected. (don't ask about Ryanair)
Battle No. 3 - The landlord (aided and abetted by lying real-estate agents and inept repairmen) pretty much held the family hostage through intimidation and bureaucracy.
Was it worth it all? Though there were plenty of tears of frustration, eventually the family would come to terms with London. Sean Mallen seems to find humour even in the dourest of situations. You really had to feel for a guy who seemed to be always trying to do his best to keep his life on an even keel. I really enjoyed reading the accounts of his trips to different countries while reporting the news. His writing style is both informative and entertaining.
As a fellow Canadian, I could sympathize with the Mallen family travails as they slowly navigated the waters of living the life of an expat. Well done, eh!
As a Canadian journalist, it was Sean Mallen's lifelong dream to live the life of an expat in London. The museums, the pageantry, the travel and the food were irresistibly luring him to the other side of the pond.
Battle No. 1 - wife and daughter. Not amused. Isabella, his wife was not going to give up their friends, newly renovated kitchen and successful career. Julia, his daughter ditto (except for the kitchen and career).
Battle No. 2 - Frequent travel to assignments to other countries would inevitably lead to an emotional tug of war and threats of "don't expect to find us when you come back". Trying to find a balance between work and family proved to be a greater challenge than he expected. (don't ask about Ryanair)
Battle No. 3 - The landlord (aided and abetted by lying real-estate agents and inept repairmen) pretty much held the family hostage through intimidation and bureaucracy.
Was it worth it all? Though there were plenty of tears of frustration, eventually the family would come to terms with London. Sean Mallen seems to find humour even in the dourest of situations. You really had to feel for a guy who seemed to be always trying to do his best to keep his life on an even keel. I really enjoyed reading the accounts of his trips to different countries while reporting the news. His writing style is both informative and entertaining.
As a fellow Canadian, I could sympathize with the Mallen family travails as they slowly navigated the waters of living the life of an expat. Well done, eh!
June 29, 2018
Journalism and London in the same book--a perfect blend of things I love.
In Falling for London, Sean Mallen dreams of being a foreign correspondent become a reality, a reality that comes with challenges when he uproots his family to move from Toronto to London, England.
When I first picked up this novel, I expected a light, funny read--the title and cover are misleading. What I got, was a well-researched, intelligently written memoir. I have romanticized about living abroad while writing and Falling for London gave me a lens into that life. I loved the anecdotes about the move as well as the history and politics of London. I soaked up the culture without having to pay the exorbitant rent. I also enjoyed reading about the events in Canada, Greece, Egypt, and Russia. I would have liked more moments of relational depth between Sean and his wife Isabella. I wanted more insight into how their relationship worked since they seemed so disconnected throughout.
I am glad that I picked up Falling for London, it was unexpected journalistic adventure abroad. I would recommend it to readers who long for London and enjoy current events.
(e-ARC from Dundurn and Netgalley)
In Falling for London, Sean Mallen dreams of being a foreign correspondent become a reality, a reality that comes with challenges when he uproots his family to move from Toronto to London, England.
When I first picked up this novel, I expected a light, funny read--the title and cover are misleading. What I got, was a well-researched, intelligently written memoir. I have romanticized about living abroad while writing and Falling for London gave me a lens into that life. I loved the anecdotes about the move as well as the history and politics of London. I soaked up the culture without having to pay the exorbitant rent. I also enjoyed reading about the events in Canada, Greece, Egypt, and Russia. I would have liked more moments of relational depth between Sean and his wife Isabella. I wanted more insight into how their relationship worked since they seemed so disconnected throughout.
I am glad that I picked up Falling for London, it was unexpected journalistic adventure abroad. I would recommend it to readers who long for London and enjoy current events.
(e-ARC from Dundurn and Netgalley)
July 31, 2018
I requested this book from NetGalley because as an avid Anglophile, ANY London related stories are where you will find me. I LOVE them. That being said, I did not enjoy this book.
I will state here and now that (per my Kindle) I only made it through 35% of the book. My GOD was it depressing. Now, as much as I would LOVE to move to London for a year, I know that it would not be at all easy, practical, etc however this book was struggle after struggle, complain, whine, moan EVERY OTHER PAGE. It wasn't that me being a fan of the city was like "how dare you say bad things!" No. When I visit London. I enjoy my time but then I crave home and my normal. In this book, the first third is just constant issues and his wife and daughter knocking this guy down constantly. I just couldn't stand it. Maybe, if I get to finishing it, it all turns around or there is a happy ending? Or SOME happiness at all?
I know that this review is only on a small portion of the story but if the beginning is so bad how can you make it through anymore? I am always afraid to be brutally honest but honestly the 35% I forced myself to read was just awful.
I will state here and now that (per my Kindle) I only made it through 35% of the book. My GOD was it depressing. Now, as much as I would LOVE to move to London for a year, I know that it would not be at all easy, practical, etc however this book was struggle after struggle, complain, whine, moan EVERY OTHER PAGE. It wasn't that me being a fan of the city was like "how dare you say bad things!" No. When I visit London. I enjoy my time but then I crave home and my normal. In this book, the first third is just constant issues and his wife and daughter knocking this guy down constantly. I just couldn't stand it. Maybe, if I get to finishing it, it all turns around or there is a happy ending? Or SOME happiness at all?
I know that this review is only on a small portion of the story but if the beginning is so bad how can you make it through anymore? I am always afraid to be brutally honest but honestly the 35% I forced myself to read was just awful.
July 14, 2019
Very disappointing. A journalist should have written more about the fabulous city and less about a whinging wife and spoiled daughter. However, his accounts of travel to cover current affairs were entertaining.
June 18, 2018
I am guilty as charged... I judge books by their covers... especially the ones I request for reviewing...
This book is not what I expected from it's cover... I'm not sure why... or even what I expected... it just wasn't what I thought it would be :c)
This book is not what I expected from it's cover... I'm not sure why... or even what I expected... it just wasn't what I thought it would be :c)
October 17, 2019
Really a 3.5 star rating. Falling for London is a charming tale of a Canadian family who temporarily relocates to London for a job. Really enjoyed the stories of events that took place in London such as finding accommodations, a school for their young daughter and their very unique neighbors. The fallout from the upstairs renovation is hard to believe and you feel so sorry for the family.
I enjoyed the adventures they were able to go on such as the ski trip and Ireland.
The cost of living, that is very expensive and used to have the reader understand how challenging the situation is, at times became too much. It is very understandable that the author is able to trade his writing skills for great trips, so enjoy them.
The premise of the story is falling in love with London, but it isn't till the very end the reader is told how Isabella and to a lesser degree Julia finally fall in love with London.
Overall an enjoyable read and one that I will recommend to others.
I enjoyed the adventures they were able to go on such as the ski trip and Ireland.
The cost of living, that is very expensive and used to have the reader understand how challenging the situation is, at times became too much. It is very understandable that the author is able to trade his writing skills for great trips, so enjoy them.
The premise of the story is falling in love with London, but it isn't till the very end the reader is told how Isabella and to a lesser degree Julia finally fall in love with London.
Overall an enjoyable read and one that I will recommend to others.
May 12, 2020
I heard the author, a television journalist and travel writer, speak at our PROBUS meeting and thoroughly enjoyed his talk about his time in London, England. He was delighted to secure his dream job as a foreign correspondent there. Not so his wife and six-year old daughter. Moving from a middle class Canadian home to extremely expensive and decrepit accommodations - the living room ceiling caved in, in their first flat challenged all of them. It was also extremely difficult and expensive to find schooling for their daughter. As a TV journalist for Global, Mallen described current events in London as well as such places as Egypt, Russia and Greece. One of the highlights of my trip to London was a barge ride along the Regent Canal to Camden Market. I was pleased to hear that Mallen worked in Camden Lock near the canal. This is a candid, funny and interesting story, about a family that finally fell for London.
November 5, 2018
It is my dream to live over seas so I was excited to get this book from NetGalley. It is about Sean, a broadcast journalist from Canada, that moves his family to London to take on a new job. I have been to London a couple of times so I was surprised to hear about his troubles dealing with land lords and public officials. Londoners have always been so accommodating in my experience. It was interesting to read how Sean had to find a flat, a school for his 7 year old daughter, and navigate himself around the city. Many of his job assignments took him to other parts of Europe as well. There are some humorous situations and scary situations due to his job as a journalist. I felt like the story ended very abruptly and would have liked to keep reading more.
December 17, 2018
Sean Mallen was a correspondent in Canada but he always wanted to work out of London. He finally gets his change to do just that but he has to talk his wife and daughter into the deal and they are not easily convinced. He tells us of their life in London on his personal aspect as well as the jobs he did through out the world. I especially found fascinating a story in Ireland involving the Catholic Church.
I really enjoyed this book because I have also have always wanted to live in England for awhile. And Sean gave us a wonderful view into that world. I did feel sorry for him though because his wife gave him a hard time.
I really enjoyed this book because I have also have always wanted to live in England for awhile. And Sean gave us a wonderful view into that world. I did feel sorry for him though because his wife gave him a hard time.
July 28, 2018
I got this book from Netgalley. When I first received it I didn't realise it was a non-fiction. I love memoirs so that didn't necessarily deter me from reading it but I just wish I knew beforehand. It does not read like a non-fiction. Its hilarious and well-written (the author is a journalist after all) and could have well been the fictional story of a man, his uprooted wife and daughter trying to find their way in London a new city .. except it was their real life. I recommend although I really wish he'd change the cover before publishing.
November 13, 2018
Sean expertly handles the thrill of being a foreign correspondent in one of the world's most exciting cities with the angst that comes from having to balance his life long dream with the demands of his family. His story is exhilarating as he flies off to compelling assignments, funny as he deals with London red tape and bureaucracy, and torturous as he never seems to win trying to placate his unhappy trailing spouse and young daughter. A super read!
May 10, 2019
Anyone who has considered working overseas will appreciate this memoir that describes a Canadian political reporter moving to London, England to become a foreign correspondent. The book is interesting because Sean Mallen covers some major world events like William and Kate's royal wedding, elections in Greece and Russia, and the anniversary of Vimy Ridge. It parallels the memoir "L'appart", which outlines a chef buying an apartment in Paris, France.
November 4, 2018
More a memoir about Mallen's time as a foreign correspondent than about his family. I wasn't sure what to make of this because while London is indeed different, so is any large city but here, unlike many world capitals, English is the first language, making it more accessible than most for other English speakers. The battles with the landlord were amusing. Thanks to edelweiss for the ARC.
March 5, 2019
Very funny and honest take on the highs and lows of being a foreign correspondent. I am a journalist and I couldn’t put this book down. Hint: you will be on the front lines of the world’s hot spots but you will likely go broke and your wife might be ticked at you. A lot. Overall, a fantastic experience that we should all wish we could have.
November 5, 2018
When tv journalist Sean Mallen lands his dream job as a Foreign Correspondent based in London, his family is less than pleased. His sojourn begins with The Royal wedding of William and Kate. His description of tying to find a flat in London are priceless.
July 20, 2018
A very good book that I enjoyed reading. I loved the descriptions of London, the characters and style of writing.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Dundurn and Netgalley for this ARC
Recommended!
Many thanks to Dundurn and Netgalley for this ARC
November 6, 2021
Dear Readers,
I am the 'wife' in "Falling for London". I'm Isabella.
While many of you will never see this note, I am still grateful I have an opportunity to
voice a few of my thoughts.
This was my husband's first book.
And while he is a great writer, it is a challenge to write about your own family members - who I might add are alive and well. Many of you may not realize that we are living, breathing humans - my daughter and I. And your negative reviews of our characters actually cause pain.
We were literally uprooted from our lives in 2011. And without listing all the personal issues that made this uprooting difficult (one of which was my dad was dying from Lewy-Body Dementia and I would be leaving him) I was personally done with 'moving' in my life. I did not care about moving anywhere. I was happy where I was. I had already done too much of moving in my life. I was also very scared. I was also just beginning peri-menopause - a physically and emotionally very real and challenging time.
It is true - I did give my husband a hard time for several months when we first moved. But I was very scared more than anything. I had just reached a point in my work life and personal life where I felt secure. And now another big change. As for my daughter, Julia is farthest thing from a spoiled child. She is a lovely, caring, smart and funny 16 year old now - and she adjusted so well to London. And now London, and those two years, remain some of the best memories we have as a family.
I arrived back from London in 2013 having learned how to sew with the lovely Astrid from Little Hands Design, and learned how to paint - something I always wanted to do. We struggled financially when we were there, but we finally loved where we lived. And we lived in Camden because that's where Sean's work was! We wanted to stay close to eachother and not have to travel hours by tube. And to this day - we are in love with London, always hoping to go back for a visit. What an amazing city.
There is a deep bond between the three of us and our little dog Oreo. Our lives are not perfect at all. I suffer from a few chronic health issues. And my dad did die while I was living in London, England. That is not easy.
I wish I had kept a closer eye on the book when it was being written. I suspect it was a case of a first time writer just not being aware of what it means for another person, who is 'alive', to be written about - it's a very delicate matter.
Now in life, I wish we could be transported to a new place to live for awhile. That experience helped me grow and be less afraid of uprooting ourselves as a family. But it looks like the next big change for us will be university for my beautiful daughter Julia:)
with love to all,
Isabella
I am the 'wife' in "Falling for London". I'm Isabella.
While many of you will never see this note, I am still grateful I have an opportunity to
voice a few of my thoughts.
This was my husband's first book.
And while he is a great writer, it is a challenge to write about your own family members - who I might add are alive and well. Many of you may not realize that we are living, breathing humans - my daughter and I. And your negative reviews of our characters actually cause pain.
We were literally uprooted from our lives in 2011. And without listing all the personal issues that made this uprooting difficult (one of which was my dad was dying from Lewy-Body Dementia and I would be leaving him) I was personally done with 'moving' in my life. I did not care about moving anywhere. I was happy where I was. I had already done too much of moving in my life. I was also very scared. I was also just beginning peri-menopause - a physically and emotionally very real and challenging time.
It is true - I did give my husband a hard time for several months when we first moved. But I was very scared more than anything. I had just reached a point in my work life and personal life where I felt secure. And now another big change. As for my daughter, Julia is farthest thing from a spoiled child. She is a lovely, caring, smart and funny 16 year old now - and she adjusted so well to London. And now London, and those two years, remain some of the best memories we have as a family.
I arrived back from London in 2013 having learned how to sew with the lovely Astrid from Little Hands Design, and learned how to paint - something I always wanted to do. We struggled financially when we were there, but we finally loved where we lived. And we lived in Camden because that's where Sean's work was! We wanted to stay close to eachother and not have to travel hours by tube. And to this day - we are in love with London, always hoping to go back for a visit. What an amazing city.
There is a deep bond between the three of us and our little dog Oreo. Our lives are not perfect at all. I suffer from a few chronic health issues. And my dad did die while I was living in London, England. That is not easy.
I wish I had kept a closer eye on the book when it was being written. I suspect it was a case of a first time writer just not being aware of what it means for another person, who is 'alive', to be written about - it's a very delicate matter.
Now in life, I wish we could be transported to a new place to live for awhile. That experience helped me grow and be less afraid of uprooting ourselves as a family. But it looks like the next big change for us will be university for my beautiful daughter Julia:)
with love to all,
Isabella
December 15, 2019
Sean Mallen has a great sense of humour and I found myself laughing out loud at times. He also paints an alluring picture of the life of a foreign correspondent.
However, the endless and boring martyrdom of his wife, Isabella, spoiled the book for me. I had to keep checking the title to make sure that it really was Falling for London and not Falling for Some-City-Where-Life-Is-Truly-Tough. Isabella was in London, for heaven’s sake, not some boring or dangerous backwater. I have no idea what the real source of her discontent was, but she married a journalist who surely didn’t have a 9 to 5 job even before he became a foreign correspondent. As for the tremendous “trial” of being a single parent, which she wasn’t, there are many who find themselves in that situation with far fewer resources and little or no chance of any break from 24-hour parenting duties.
As for daughter Julia, I didn’t understand her difficulties in settling in. I lived in Italy for many years. After their first days, the young ex-pat children had absolutely no problem adjusting to a new language and environment. Surely, Julia would have known what a potato was, even if she didn’t know what a jacket potato was, which gave her a head start over children coping with a completely foreign language. I suspect Julia was channeling her mother’s negativity.
And then there’s the author. Why he chose the perspective of the male victim is beyond me. On the one hand, there’s Sean Mallen, the capable, professional journalist who could organize spur of the moment work trips, dash off to foreign countries, do the planned interviews, take advantage of impromptu soundbites and file his stories to deadline. On the other hand, there was the insecure father and husband who endlessly walked on egg shells when around his family and always felt inadequate, something that Isabella capitalized on.
Falling for London could have been a great book.
However, the endless and boring martyrdom of his wife, Isabella, spoiled the book for me. I had to keep checking the title to make sure that it really was Falling for London and not Falling for Some-City-Where-Life-Is-Truly-Tough. Isabella was in London, for heaven’s sake, not some boring or dangerous backwater. I have no idea what the real source of her discontent was, but she married a journalist who surely didn’t have a 9 to 5 job even before he became a foreign correspondent. As for the tremendous “trial” of being a single parent, which she wasn’t, there are many who find themselves in that situation with far fewer resources and little or no chance of any break from 24-hour parenting duties.
As for daughter Julia, I didn’t understand her difficulties in settling in. I lived in Italy for many years. After their first days, the young ex-pat children had absolutely no problem adjusting to a new language and environment. Surely, Julia would have known what a potato was, even if she didn’t know what a jacket potato was, which gave her a head start over children coping with a completely foreign language. I suspect Julia was channeling her mother’s negativity.
And then there’s the author. Why he chose the perspective of the male victim is beyond me. On the one hand, there’s Sean Mallen, the capable, professional journalist who could organize spur of the moment work trips, dash off to foreign countries, do the planned interviews, take advantage of impromptu soundbites and file his stories to deadline. On the other hand, there was the insecure father and husband who endlessly walked on egg shells when around his family and always felt inadequate, something that Isabella capitalized on.
Falling for London could have been a great book.
October 19, 2025
The London part of this book consisted of possibly 20% of the contents, and the stories there consisted mainly of housing, economic, marital, and parenting issues, concerns, problems, frustrations, and upsets among the author, his very unhappy wife, and his overly indulged very young daughter. The other 80% focused on the author’s various trips to other countries to cover an assortment of celebrations and tragedies as a foreign correspondent for a Canadian news organization. Those tales, too, revealed the actual coverage, how the relevant interviews were conducted, difficulties encountered in traveling and staying in other places as diverse as Egypt and Ireland and more, and the fraught schedule the author kept for an entire year, both for his work and to make and keep peace with his daughter and wife. It is probably a record of authentic events and emotions, but it was painful to witness the reporter’s and his family’s experiences, frustrations, and even their brief positive experiences. It was also disappointing because I read it hoping to learn much more about London and why the author “fell” for it but mostly it was not that.
July 6, 2019
Story of a Canadian journalist moving to London with his wife and young daughter to serve as a foreign correspondent. A mix of descriptions of switching to life in London, with difficulties in finding housing, a school, and friendships, along with his work, including trips to other countries where news stories are breaking. I liked the combination. A sour note was the portrayal of his wife and daughter, who are definitely a much loved part of his life, but are shown as shrewish and spoiled, respectively. He tried to wrap it up with a final feel-good chapter about how his family in the end loved it and were changed by it, but it wasn't borne out by the rest of the book. Being a Dave Ramsey financial type, I found their family's lack of financial savvy and poor choices a bit wearing. Who would move to London without a bit of research as to the housing market and typical pay/benefit packages (like including school tuition, which he didn't find out until year 2) for foreign correspondents?
January 18, 2024
You’d think that a seasoned News Reporter and foreign correspondent would be able to craft a compelling storyline, but apparently that is not the case. It felt more like a poorly pasted together collection of random anecdotes (few of which were in any way interesting or entertaining) rather than a single narrative. There is so much repetition of certain themes- I.e. the crappy London housing market, his wife’s disdain for his moving them to London, his repeated ecstasy at traveling for work while constantly mentioning that his wife was livid about it, etc. To be honest, none of it was interesting. This should’ve been a 2,000 word max article about the ups and downs of moving to a new country as a news correspondent, with none of the irrelevant and unfunny anecdotes, or long, rambling interludes about his travels that don’t add any interest to the story.
In short: this is the book version of “this should’ve been an email”.
In short: this is the book version of “this should’ve been an email”.
October 21, 2018
Supremely readable.
Sean lands a prized London TV job at midlife but his family pays the price.
His wife Isabella, an accomplished individual, leaves her dream job so that Sean can have his.
Young daughter Julia is also uprooted from her life.
Being sidelined due to a spouse’s career ambitions isn’t easy.
Isabella and Julia arrive in London under protest and in a royal snit.
It’s rough going for awhile and you wonder if they’re going to make it.
Family drama, journalistic adventures, travelogue tidbits; this book has a lot going for it.
It’s entertaining, funny and informative.
Sean’s ability to put aside TV ego and show humility and gratitude for his family”s sacrifice, as well as Isabella’s and Julia’s ability to adapt, are what keep you rooting for them all.
Sean lands a prized London TV job at midlife but his family pays the price.
His wife Isabella, an accomplished individual, leaves her dream job so that Sean can have his.
Young daughter Julia is also uprooted from her life.
Being sidelined due to a spouse’s career ambitions isn’t easy.
Isabella and Julia arrive in London under protest and in a royal snit.
It’s rough going for awhile and you wonder if they’re going to make it.
Family drama, journalistic adventures, travelogue tidbits; this book has a lot going for it.
It’s entertaining, funny and informative.
Sean’s ability to put aside TV ego and show humility and gratitude for his family”s sacrifice, as well as Isabella’s and Julia’s ability to adapt, are what keep you rooting for them all.
June 7, 2020
Memoir by a Canadian journalist who lands his dream job of being a foreign correspondent based in London.
With humour reminiscent of Terry Fallis’ writing, Mullen recounts the expense of living in London despite the dreary quality of his accommodations, the excitement of dropping everything and travelling to Greece, France, Russia etc to cover breaking news stories, and a seemingly very unsupportive wife and 7 year old daughter who balk at the uprooting of their lives and the changes involved with living in a different culture.
Love it Dianne! Thanks for lending:) I’ll get it back to you soon.
With humour reminiscent of Terry Fallis’ writing, Mullen recounts the expense of living in London despite the dreary quality of his accommodations, the excitement of dropping everything and travelling to Greece, France, Russia etc to cover breaking news stories, and a seemingly very unsupportive wife and 7 year old daughter who balk at the uprooting of their lives and the changes involved with living in a different culture.
Love it Dianne! Thanks for lending:) I’ll get it back to you soon.
March 18, 2025
A book written to presumably massage the over-inflated ego of the writer. A seemingly pompous, snidey Canadian who thinks the rest of the world should care two jots about his temporary relocation to London. As a British immigrant to Canada, I picked this book up, thinking it would be a fun read about the country of my birth. How wrong I was! He is bitchy, and unnecessarily cruel in describing people, the Royal family and practically everything else! If he fell in love with London, I'll bet London sure as hell didn't fall in love with him! Don't bother reading this book. The poor reviews speak volumes. If only I'd read them before purchasing. Lesson learnt.
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