My Half Orange: A Story of Love and Language in Seville

by John Julius Reel

In his late thirties, John Julius Reel left his native New York for Seville, hoping to reinvent himself, find his voice as a writer, and cast off the shadow of his famous father. When his girlfriend dumped him after a month-long visit, the last tie was cut, and he had to face his future from his stark, mosquito-infested rented room. Alone in a foreign land, struggling with the language, and longing to find his place and purpose in the world, he began to rebuild his life.

What follows is a tender, comical, and illuminating story about what it means to learn to speak and think in a new way, and to spend so much time away from home that the foreign becomes familiar. This heartwarming chronicle filled with Sevillian delicias (soccer, Iberian ham, creative cursing, and one extraordinary woman) reveals how love, language, and culture can transform your life forever.

253 pages, Paperback

Published April 18, 2023

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a well written, funny and lovely book that shows the love of John Julius for Seville, his wife (Half Orange) and his children. It was delightful to see my home city from a foreigner's point of view. Loved how he describes his wife's view of the North American culture and their differences, which I can related to after living in the USA

[Glenn Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Half Orange is a book that deftly explores what it can mean when one embraces a new place, a new culture, and a new language … and the benefits that come when one does so with an open heart and mind. Reel moved to Sevilla expecting adventure, but not until he fell in love with the language and with “his half orange” did he really get to know both a new place and himself. Written with both sensitivity and humor, as an added bonus Reel, a masterful language teacher with hundreds of thousands followers of his lessons on Facebook, IG and other social media, also embeds his narrative with real life lessons in learning Spanish in the real world. A memoir, a travelogue and a love story, if you are considering a visit to Spain or an excursion into a new culture, start with this book.

[Vima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in this memoir. I didn't want to put it down, and read it so quickly. You will fall in love with the story of his life in Seville, what brought him there and what anchored him there. Both intimate and comical, the narrative transports you to living a full life abroad.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining. As someone who has 7 years of French, but not complete mastery -- or even conversational mastery for that matter -- I can relate to alot of what Reel is writing about. The struggle to be fully fluent is daunting, but it also teaches you a ton about humanity.

Reel seems to assert -- and I agree-- that the nuances and flavor of a language only come out in extended multiple contacts with a wide variety of native speakers. Take that Babel and Rosetta Stone!

I also can relate to the idea of a life overseas. It is something that appeals to so many of us. So, yes, there is plenty here about language and being an "estouniedo".

What I didn't expect is how much the book deals with raising young children as well as the give and take required in a long term relationship.

It is all well written and holds your interest. It's just less about the struggles and challenges I expected he might have. Reel seems to be in a good place with his life and that optimism and positivity comes out in his writing.

I was in Europe this Summer and reading this book makes me want to return there.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whimsical and Profound

John Julius Reel welcomes the reader into his memories and gives an honest account of life's transitions. When Reel decides to move from the US to Spain, we see him learn to cope with the gravity of that choice: learning a new language, falling in love, becoming a father, missing his old life. Accompanied by beautiful illustrations, the story unfolds easily, and Reel’s conversational style brings immediacy and intimacy. For readers who appreciate the nuance of language, Reel explores the challenges that come with absorbing idioms and speaking as a native in an adopted country. We share in his explorations and his good humor. He illustrates that there are many levels of love, and the reader feels privileged to share his insights. A truly enlightening story.

[John Ebbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an English expat living in Seville, this memoir was always going to appeal to me — but I didn’t expect it to be quite so warm, insightful, and beautifully written.

In a genre crowded with travel memoirs, My Half Orange stands out. John Julius Reel not only paints a vivid portrait of the Seville I know and love, but he also delves into deeper themes of cultural identity, personal reinvention, and the quiet complexities of aspiration.

This isn’t just a love letter to a city — it’s a thoughtful, emotionally honest account of what it means to belong, to grow, and to find your place (and your people) in the world. It will resonate with anyone who's ever felt both out of place and completely at home, often at the same time

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Julius Reel takes you on a journey through amusing anecdotes. I found so many of the stories relatable and enjoyable - the chapters are fairly short and, therefore, easy to pick the book up and put it down without getting too off track. Perfect for a busy schedule!

My Half Orange should be required reading for anyone who has lived, is currently living, or plans to live abroad.

[Giovanni García-Fenech · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a later chapter of this memoir, Reel recalls his father dismissing an earlier, unpublished manuscript as “puerile.” It’s a shame he didn’t take that criticism more to heart when writing this book, which is often sexist and at times homophobic. Too bad, because he’s capable of better, as seen in the chapter about his father-in-law’s decline and death.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

De todo hay en la viña del Señor.

As a Spanish learner myself, I was excited for this book. What interested me even more, that it is a non fiction. However, 80% of this book is build upon macho culture und misogyny and humour around it, so I had to push through it to enjoy Fathers chapter. This is what really stood out to me and why I gave this book 4 stars.

[Jamie Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy and fast read, nicely laid out with the short chapters. Understanding Spanish is definitely an advantage as I found the translations often a literal translation rather than what it would actually mean.

[Victoria Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read while in Seville. Great story about adapting to living in a new place and the beauty found in travel and different cultures