Foreign Brides

by Elena Lappin

A collection of stories about the loves and lives of women and men who have chosen to follow their partners to countries that are not their own. Deals with how some illusions are shattered and some merely transformed into new ones in this microcosm of uprooted characters trying to make sense of their adopted homes.

Genres: Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually hilarious stories, especially after heaving read Elena's auto biography "What language do I dream in".

[Petra X · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stories in this book had about as much impact on me as being wacked over the head with a very large feather: a) absolutely none, and b) what was that for? With the exception of Noa and Noah, and The Gladstone Brothers, I just didn't get them. Nothing in the plot or characters got me emotionally-involved so I didn't even care that the meaning passed me by.

One star for the entire book except for the two stories mentioned. Three stars each for them.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this on my quest to finish by too long physical TBR. I'm pretty sure my sister or mother bought this over 20 years ago, based on the store it was purchased at. i actually found the writing pretty decent and the book kept me engaged. That being said, I felt like every story kind of repeated itself and all the characters were basically the same. It was interesting at the start and then became predictable.

[Daisy (Natasha) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beevs and I read this together. Some were bloody hilarious, some so thought provoking and heart breaking. Great insights into being foreign and really helped us with all the decisions we're making now.

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ideal per a viatges en tren si no et fa vergonya posar-te a riure tot d'una! Relats curts i divertits molt entretinguts.

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of twelve humorous short stories is mostly about women coping in foreign countries with foreign husbands. The book begins with the story of Noa who marries Noah after meeting him at a Tel Aviv disco. The mysteries of this man that so attracted her to him, disappear as she learns his language. Her impulsive action to start serving him non-kosher meat brings about a startling result.

Some of the other stories include one in which a Russian family who migrates to Canada assumed to be out of the mother's embarrassment (Black Train), an intelligent Russian mail-order bride who finds herself married to a less than ambitious butler in London (Peacocks), an unmarried American woman giving birth at Catholic hospital (Michael Farmer's Baby) and a woman who uses a technique learned from her grandmother to entice a man to meet her (Inhaling New York). The book ends with another story about Noa, this time on holiday in Israel.

These stories cross the borders of England, Israel, Germany, Russia, Canada and America. They are unforgettably original, smart and each has a surprising punchline like ending. One can't help but notice that it is not only the country which is foreign to many of these woman but the notion of being married as well. For me, the biggest surprise is the wholesome resolutions that the majority of these women (and men) come up with.

I enjoyed these stories because they are foreign, clever and well written. Although I admit that I felt the stories ended a little too suddenly, leaving me wanting to know more about these people and what happens after the story ends. Maybe her first full length novel will satisfy this need.

[Margherita Dolcevita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mi aspettavo molto più.
E' un libro leggero, troppo, che oltre a non approfondire il tema del multiculturalismo non disegna nemmeno dei ritratti femminili meritevoli di essere ricordati. Alcuni pezzi sono anche piacevoli, ma niente di più.

[Jaim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of stories centering one women who are either foreigners or are marrying foreigners. It describes the isolation one often feels when they are pushed into an entirely different culture, especially without a support system. Really great stories and nice writing. Highly recommend.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this book for an education class, I wasn't really looking forward to it, but this book was really good.

[Tara Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

smart writing, funny plot twists, great beach book and especially poignant for me...a foreign bride...

[Kristel]

Des nouvelles comme ça, je les dévore. D'autres références du même genre à me conseiller?

[Jean-Xavier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parfaitement anecdotique.