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Kept: An American Househusband in India
Kept: An American Househusband in India is a hilarious, heart-warming tale of a company man turned trailing spouse when his wife gets his dream job and drags him halfway around the globe. World travelers and armchair tourists alike will marvel as Greg and Dana dine with royalty, smash an immigrant smuggling ring, flee angry mobs, foil a terrorist plot and survive a Russian rocket assault. When they adopt an Indian girl, Greg embarks on an altogether new career, and India becomes a part of their lives forever. Winner of the PNWA Zola Award for best memoir, Kept: An American Househusband in India will have you scouring the house for cobras and wondering if you've got what it takes to walk on fire.
280 pages, Paperback
Published September 3, 2018
456 people are currently reading
1442 people want to read
About the author
Gregory E. Buford
4 books55 followersGreg Buford has lived in the US, Dominican Republic, Japan, India, France, Cambodia, Switzerland, and Turkmenistan. His first memoir, Kept: An American Househusband in India, won the PNWA Zola Award, and his novel, Making Ghosts Dance, was both a Montaigne Medal and Eric Hoffer Award finalist. Learn more and keep track of Greg at gregorybuford.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
June 8, 2022
I absolutely adored this book. It was recommended to me by a dear friend, Kathrine. And I can see why she loved it. I'd been trying to find it for ages and finally stumbled upon it on Kindle Unlimited (it is worth the 2-month free trial they are always offering in order to read this book!) This is a feel-good memoir about the highs and lows of an American family in the foreign service living in India. You'll laugh and maybe even shed a tear. It was just what I needed to start out my summer reading.
October 1, 2018
A delightful and for the most part well-written account of two years spent in Chennai, India. The author relinquished his job with Dell to take care of his son while his wife worked as a Vice Counsel interviewing visa applicants at the U. S. Consulate. Most of the book deals with the managing of a household of servants and with family raising issues, including dealing with the many hassles in adopting a baby girl. Outstanding is the ability of the Buford family to enjoy interacting with Indians at all levels as individuals rather than the too common expatriate attitude of either detesting or ignoring them or of being condescending at best. The misunderstandings that often arise in cross-cultural interactions are an excellent aspect of the book.
The book resonated with me on a personal level having grown up in India in the 50s and 60s and also in having a brother and a nephew work similar stints in India with the U. S. State Department within the last ten years. For the most part it was an accurate account of Indian life seen from the perspective of an American living for a relatively short time in India and with access to a standard of living that only the top 1 or 2% have. As with all such accounts, it should be recognized that the longer one lives as an expatriate in a country, and if one also begins to become fluent in the local language, the more one realizes how much more there is to learn about another culture.
But kudos to Greg Buford for attempting to understand India as thoroughly as possible given the short amount of time the family had to live and work there. And kudos also for loving India despite the poverty and filth that are the only focus of many travel accounts. As he intimated many times, the beauty of India is in its people.
The book resonated with me on a personal level having grown up in India in the 50s and 60s and also in having a brother and a nephew work similar stints in India with the U. S. State Department within the last ten years. For the most part it was an accurate account of Indian life seen from the perspective of an American living for a relatively short time in India and with access to a standard of living that only the top 1 or 2% have. As with all such accounts, it should be recognized that the longer one lives as an expatriate in a country, and if one also begins to become fluent in the local language, the more one realizes how much more there is to learn about another culture.
But kudos to Greg Buford for attempting to understand India as thoroughly as possible given the short amount of time the family had to live and work there. And kudos also for loving India despite the poverty and filth that are the only focus of many travel accounts. As he intimated many times, the beauty of India is in its people.
October 11, 2020
Proof that a book "Kept" your heart when immediately upon finishing you have a spontaneous book club over text with your sister who recommended it which "Kept" going into the next day. Gregory Buford is the total package. Seeing India through his eyes made mine sparkle. In the current climate of Nationalism, his is a refreshing voice that no country owns the corner market on human goodness. His chapter headings alone deserve the 5 stars. Word plays are one of my love languages. I wish he'd "Kept" going and written a sequel for each of the tours his family was posted.
July 29, 2021
3.8 stars
October 7, 2018
Expats
I absolutely loved this book. I was in the USAF and worked as a civilian and lived in England, Germany, Italy and Turkey. Reading your book brought home so much about living overseas. Every time we came home we were shell shocked and couldn’t wait to leave again. I love the humor in your book, how you treated the locals and the wonderful experiences your kids had. I highly recommend this book.
I absolutely loved this book. I was in the USAF and worked as a civilian and lived in England, Germany, Italy and Turkey. Reading your book brought home so much about living overseas. Every time we came home we were shell shocked and couldn’t wait to leave again. I love the humor in your book, how you treated the locals and the wonderful experiences your kids had. I highly recommend this book.
August 18, 2018
This was a great story. I feel like we were sitting with a cup of coffee and he was telling me his story. India is a lot more interesting to me now!
June 25, 2019
I loved this story. Truth told with humor is always appreciated. I loved how the family learned to roll with the punches and just go with it. It was well written and definitely worth the read.
June 30, 2022
It took me a month to finish this book because I was that desperate for it never to end. I loved it that much.
I wish I had read it sooner. My friend Katherine gushed about this book and gave me her copy to read. I put it on top of my "to read" pile, but as it often does, things just got in the way.
Now I understand why she loved it so much. Buford's voice is full of wit, sass, and genuine humor. His play on words runs throughout the book and never gets old. It wasn't difficult to fall in love with the people as well as the country and feel compelled to laugh, cry, and cheer as you read.
And while I regret not reading this sooner, I'm also grateful I read it when I did, as this little drop of Indian sunshine brightened some rather gloomy days.
I wish I had read it sooner. My friend Katherine gushed about this book and gave me her copy to read. I put it on top of my "to read" pile, but as it often does, things just got in the way.
Now I understand why she loved it so much. Buford's voice is full of wit, sass, and genuine humor. His play on words runs throughout the book and never gets old. It wasn't difficult to fall in love with the people as well as the country and feel compelled to laugh, cry, and cheer as you read.
And while I regret not reading this sooner, I'm also grateful I read it when I did, as this little drop of Indian sunshine brightened some rather gloomy days.
October 19, 2018
Now I love India
I'm only sorry there are no follow up books about the rest of their travels. I enjoyed the whole book. Gregory Buford did a marvelous job of bringing this reader into his life. I've come to know and love his friends in India. I felt so sad when his family left for the US.
I'm only sorry there are no follow up books about the rest of their travels. I enjoyed the whole book. Gregory Buford did a marvelous job of bringing this reader into his life. I've come to know and love his friends in India. I felt so sad when his family left for the US.
October 21, 2019
So much to learn about India
This book was awesome. I loved it. Such an illustrative dive into another culture. Gregory E. Buford ‘s writing is hilarious heartwarming informative emotion-filled and just overall fantastic. If you like true life books about families and life you should definitely check it out
This book was awesome. I loved it. Such an illustrative dive into another culture. Gregory E. Buford ‘s writing is hilarious heartwarming informative emotion-filled and just overall fantastic. If you like true life books about families and life you should definitely check it out
October 9, 2018
Greg Buford, his wife Dana and young son travel to Chennai, India when Dana gets her first diplomatic post. Greg finds a position with Dell, which does not go as planned, and he becomes a house husband.
This is both a heart warming and poignant memoir, highlighting the poverty of many and the privilege of others...
Greg shares the ups and downs of hiring staff, their poor living conditions and the realization that what his family considers disposable waste can be recycled in many ways on India's roadsides.
The Buford's form lasting bonds with many of their employees, while they mix with both diplomatic staff at lavish parties, and Indian families from less affluent backgrounds.
This book brought back many memories of my own travels in India, and it is among my favourite reads of 2018. Highly recommended.
This is both a heart warming and poignant memoir, highlighting the poverty of many and the privilege of others...
Greg shares the ups and downs of hiring staff, their poor living conditions and the realization that what his family considers disposable waste can be recycled in many ways on India's roadsides.
The Buford's form lasting bonds with many of their employees, while they mix with both diplomatic staff at lavish parties, and Indian families from less affluent backgrounds.
This book brought back many memories of my own travels in India, and it is among my favourite reads of 2018. Highly recommended.
March 26, 2022
A Great Read
It’s filled with incredible experiences, humor, deep challenges, love, and everything that life as an expat brings. I loved Greg’s comment about re-entry to life in the US.
It’s filled with incredible experiences, humor, deep challenges, love, and everything that life as an expat brings. I loved Greg’s comment about re-entry to life in the US.
October 5, 2018
All too often it’s the wife who has to leave all of her friends and nearby family members in order to follow her husband to his new job and work location; which is why I had enjoyed reading what happens when the shoe is on the other foot and the husband has to follow his wife.
Being a child of the 1950’s, I can’t but recall Peggy March hit song of 1967, “I Will Follow Him.” Given the author’s commitment to his wife he had to follow her, for he had no other choice/possibility. If we replace the author with his wife we can see the reason why, the author did what he had to do, and simply follow her:
“Love her, I love her, I love her
And where she goes I'll follow, I'll follow, I'll follow
I will follow her, follow her wherever she may go
There isn't an ocean too deep
A mountain so high it can keep me away
I must follow her (follow her), ever since she touched my hand I knew
That near her I always must be
And nothing can keep him from me
She is my destiny (destiny)…”
While staying within the US would have been one thing when his wife gets her ideal job, getting hauled off to India, is definitely a horse of a different color, especially since he’s always been loyal to the company he’s worked for so many years.
With his wife now working for the diplomatic service, puts him and his wife into situations regular tourists like us would have never dreamt of experiencing. Furthermore, with his wife’s job being one of her first priorities, they never had the time to give birth to a child, which results in their decision on adopting a young girl from the country they’re in, India. This ultimately causes the author having to totally change his profession which will along with his wife’s career to make India an intricate, permanent part of their lives.
For wanting to share his heartwarming, and at times uproarious memoir, regarding the commitment he and his wife shared being together, I’ve given the author 5 STARS.
Being a child of the 1950’s, I can’t but recall Peggy March hit song of 1967, “I Will Follow Him.” Given the author’s commitment to his wife he had to follow her, for he had no other choice/possibility. If we replace the author with his wife we can see the reason why, the author did what he had to do, and simply follow her:
“Love her, I love her, I love her
And where she goes I'll follow, I'll follow, I'll follow
I will follow her, follow her wherever she may go
There isn't an ocean too deep
A mountain so high it can keep me away
I must follow her (follow her), ever since she touched my hand I knew
That near her I always must be
And nothing can keep him from me
She is my destiny (destiny)…”
While staying within the US would have been one thing when his wife gets her ideal job, getting hauled off to India, is definitely a horse of a different color, especially since he’s always been loyal to the company he’s worked for so many years.
With his wife now working for the diplomatic service, puts him and his wife into situations regular tourists like us would have never dreamt of experiencing. Furthermore, with his wife’s job being one of her first priorities, they never had the time to give birth to a child, which results in their decision on adopting a young girl from the country they’re in, India. This ultimately causes the author having to totally change his profession which will along with his wife’s career to make India an intricate, permanent part of their lives.
For wanting to share his heartwarming, and at times uproarious memoir, regarding the commitment he and his wife shared being together, I’ve given the author 5 STARS.
April 23, 2019
The author, his wife and their son move to the Chennai, India - the author’s wife, Dana, has a diplomatic role there. The author works for a large company but gives it up to become a house-husband. I loved the read - it was funny, interesting, honest and quite sad in places. I have a liking of memoirs that take us to India as part of my family are Indian - I’ve not been yet but it’s on the ‘to-go-to’ list. ‘Meeting and ‘getting to know’ the folks who worked for Greg and Dana was an absolute treat - This memoir tackles the ups and downs of everyday life and explains the many hardships some folks deal with on a daily basis. I take my hat off to you both - I love Nina's story and the additional treat you were in for.
February 22, 2021
A very enjoyable history of an American couple's foray into international life. Attached to the U.S. State Department's Foreign Service, they lived in Chennai, India for two years. The book describes, in witty detail, their experience with foreign living and local house staff - the joys, the frustrations, the gotta-laugh-or-I'll-cry moments.
The book is a pleasure by itself; however, having done similar international assignments, it was also fun for the many similarities we saw.
A worthwhile read whether or not you do live, want to live, or have lived overseas.
The book is a pleasure by itself; however, having done similar international assignments, it was also fun for the many similarities we saw.
A worthwhile read whether or not you do live, want to live, or have lived overseas.
April 17, 2021
I found this an easy to read and enjoyable book. It brought back very fond memories of a few years spent in Mumbai accompanying my husband. Our time in Mumbai and India was very fulfilling and we truly loved the City and the Country.
After several other postings I particularly related to the line in the book where the writers leave expat life and state that Essentially we never recover from "reentry".
After several other postings I particularly related to the line in the book where the writers leave expat life and state that Essentially we never recover from "reentry".
November 9, 2019
Simple, funny, unique, exciting, humble memoir
Reading this book gave me new ideas how I can live my life out of social constraints and helped me forget about my silly day to day stress. Greg’s humour, humanity combined with his detailed observations made the read easy and enjoyable.
I spent three weeks in South India about a year ago and renewing my memories played a big part in enjoying the book.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants an uplifting story.
Reading this book gave me new ideas how I can live my life out of social constraints and helped me forget about my silly day to day stress. Greg’s humour, humanity combined with his detailed observations made the read easy and enjoyable.
I spent three weeks in South India about a year ago and renewing my memories played a big part in enjoying the book.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants an uplifting story.
October 9, 2018
I could not put this book down.
Greg Buford has been kind enough to share his tales of living overseas, and trust me, you do not want to pass these stories up. He explores the difficulty of living in a different country and culture and how hard it is to readjust when you get back home. There are stories about people from different countries, castes, and backgrounds, as well as his personal struggles with parenting, adoption, and staying home - all in a different county.
I'm fascinated by other cultures and don't know much about India, so several stories were extremely eye-opening, especially the story about dumping trash on the side of the road. It was wonderful to read these personal experiences through the eyes of an American because they were so relatable, yet completely unexpected. My favorite stories in particular were about the ghost that wasn't really a ghost (or was it?) and the taxi driver strike.
There's a lot of humor, but also a lot of heart in Kept, not to mention the cultural lessons. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys short stories, memoirs, travel, or different cultures.
Greg Buford has been kind enough to share his tales of living overseas, and trust me, you do not want to pass these stories up. He explores the difficulty of living in a different country and culture and how hard it is to readjust when you get back home. There are stories about people from different countries, castes, and backgrounds, as well as his personal struggles with parenting, adoption, and staying home - all in a different county.
I'm fascinated by other cultures and don't know much about India, so several stories were extremely eye-opening, especially the story about dumping trash on the side of the road. It was wonderful to read these personal experiences through the eyes of an American because they were so relatable, yet completely unexpected. My favorite stories in particular were about the ghost that wasn't really a ghost (or was it?) and the taxi driver strike.
There's a lot of humor, but also a lot of heart in Kept, not to mention the cultural lessons. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys short stories, memoirs, travel, or different cultures.
April 28, 2022
I like to read to be transported to other places and learn a thing or 2 while I am there. Kept, An American House Husband in India was no exception. Greg Buford writes as if he is sitting across from you telling you about this crazy adventure he just git back from. His very relateable style sells this story on his misadventures. India is very different from our privileged American life style but if you are curious, you will enjoy the education of traditions, the clothing, the people, the food and hopefully laugh out loud several times like I did.
April 27, 2023
An interesting and informative book about the diplomatic corps and life in India as American expats. Showed the good and the not as good sides of all of the people, Indian, European and American.
October 14, 2018
Hilarious! I loved this book. I read it in two days because I couldn't put it down. I laughed out loud. I've never been to India and I don't know anything about it. But now I feel like I am in love with the place. What an adventure!
March 16, 2023
I read this after enjoying the author’s book of their time in Paris, this one with their time in India and liked this one even more. Indian culture is interesting and so very different from any other culture I’ve learned about and kept the book exciting. Less long rambly history lessons in this one too which was nice :)
Find the concept of a Lowry wild; that in arranged marriages a women’s family will offer a sum of money to a man’s family for their son to marry their daughter. Which whatever until now doctors aren’t allowed to tell pregnant moms the gender of the kids early else many will abort if they find out it’s a girl, orphanages are filled with girls, etc. And then middlemen will offer money to poor families who just had a girl to buy their daughter and resell it for profit at an orphanage.
He gave the readers a recap of how the rest of their life went after India up until current day which was awesome and interesting.
Find the concept of a Lowry wild; that in arranged marriages a women’s family will offer a sum of money to a man’s family for their son to marry their daughter. Which whatever until now doctors aren’t allowed to tell pregnant moms the gender of the kids early else many will abort if they find out it’s a girl, orphanages are filled with girls, etc. And then middlemen will offer money to poor families who just had a girl to buy their daughter and resell it for profit at an orphanage.
He gave the readers a recap of how the rest of their life went after India up until current day which was awesome and interesting.
October 3, 2018
Expat life in India
I always thought it would be an incredible experience to live overseas for a year or two, but I never thought of India in that context. This was a quick, fun read about life as expats in India and the diplomatic service that took them there.
I always thought it would be an incredible experience to live overseas for a year or two, but I never thought of India in that context. This was a quick, fun read about life as expats in India and the diplomatic service that took them there.
March 10, 2019
KEPT: an American househusband in India, by Gregory E Buford is a delightful story about diplomats abroad. It is filled with complex characters who are introduced a bit as cultural stereotype and are then watched as they bloom into real people. The difficulties and tensions of diplomatic service are clear -- as are those of living in an unfamiliar culture -- but so too are the joys of acclimatizing. By the end, they are sad to move on to a new assignment in Paris and leave the culture they had come to love. Can't recommend this novel-like but non-fiction book too strongly.
February 23, 2021
Hilarious account of an American family in rural-ish India. These two are the perfect ex-pat couple, and exceptions in my experience of Foreign Service employees- they are happy to mix and mingle with local people and families and practice the #1 rule of successful expatriates: "Check your Zip code".
It's not all fun and games when you are thousands of miles from your birth country, but with a sense of humor, humility, honor and patience it can be the time of your life as shown by Mr. Buford.
Such a fun read!
It's not all fun and games when you are thousands of miles from your birth country, but with a sense of humor, humility, honor and patience it can be the time of your life as shown by Mr. Buford.
Such a fun read!
November 24, 2021
I have about 1500 or more books on India on my shelves. That said, "Kept", just finished, tops my short list of 'stunned and delighted by every page India books'. It was so well written, so delightful and so informative I couldn't puti it down.And I will recommend it to anyone who loves India ( me; after 20+ years reading this subject - all areas). I have not enjoyed a title as much as this one. Read it.
December 31, 2021
This story had so much potential. But Buford's style of humor was distracting for me. Although this story is clearly intended to be a funny and light retelling of two years in India, it just wasn't to my taste.
September 28, 2021
Smart and Funny
I stumbled on this book while scrolling through the Kindle store. It’s such a fun and informative look into life in the Foreign Service and life in India. Definitely worth the read.
I stumbled on this book while scrolling through the Kindle store. It’s such a fun and informative look into life in the Foreign Service and life in India. Definitely worth the read.
November 17, 2021
A warm and amusing memoir of ex-pat life in Chennai, India. Quick and easy read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews