A fascinating glimpse into an often overlooked lifestyle
3 steloj
May seems to be turning into Memoirs Month because my book review today, of Bloom Where You Are Planted is the sixth of at least seven varied memoirs I have read or will be reading. Part memoir and part self-help guide, Bloom Where You Are Planted is targeted towards people who find themselves living a transient lifestyle, frequently relocating because of the demands of their (or their partner's) job requirements. My experience of expats prior to reading this book is of people who have chosen to emigrate to one other country and then they stay put. McMaster has introduced a whole new level of expat-ism by showing us what she learned through creating homes first in Houston, Texas, then in Pune, India, with a brief Northern Irish sojourn in the middle and now a repatriation to Northern Ireland again. It all sounds quite exhausting!
McMaster began her writing as a …
May seems to be turning into Memoirs Month because my book review today, of Bloom Where You Are Planted is the sixth of at least seven varied memoirs I have read or will be reading. Part memoir and part self-help guide, Bloom Where You Are Planted is targeted towards people who find themselves living a transient lifestyle, frequently relocating because of the demands of their (or their partner's) job requirements. My experience of expats prior to reading this book is of people who have chosen to emigrate to one other country and then they stay put. McMaster has introduced a whole new level of expat-ism by showing us what she learned through creating homes first in Houston, Texas, then in Pune, India, with a brief Northern Irish sojourn in the middle and now a repatriation to Northern Ireland again. It all sounds quite exhausting!
McMaster began her writing as a blogger and this social style shines through in her book. She has a bright, enthusiastic voice and, while I could have done without quite so much swearing in print, I did appreciate her enthusiastic and honest approach - even in the Too Much Information moments! Advice to prospective expats is logically laid out in concise chapters and includes instructions and ideas interspersed with examples from McMaster's own life. This allows readers to learn from her mistakes or to realise that they are not alone in the emotional turmoil of relocating with all that this involves. Bloom Where You Are Planted is a fascinating glimpse into an often overlooked lifestyle. I felt this book provided an timely reminder that economic migrancy isn't all about people of other nationalities coming to Britain, but also that we Brits live and work in countries all around the globe too.