'So Far and Yet So Near' goes far beyond being an anthology of anecdotes written by Americans about their experiences abroad. As the cover indicates, it is a book of stories, a selection of 47 narratives written by men and women of various ages and professions living outside the United States. I found myself thoroughly enjoying these stories, and not just because I'm an expat.  In hindsight, it's not surprising, since many of the authors are in fact writers.

So why was I a bit skeptical when I initially opened the book? I suppose it's the picture of 'The Ugly American' that has haunted me from the time I first left the United States, but my doubts were dispelled immediately. 'So Far and Yet So Near' offers a wonderful insight into Americans of all ages growing, discovering and embracing life in another place. The places they 'landed', are as diverse as the authors themselves: Bulgaria, Greece, Kuwait, Sierre Leone, Bahrain, Philippines, Peru, Mexico, Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, among others. I say 'landed' because it conveys the undertone of self-humor in the book and the authors' fate that brought them to the locations where their stories take place - a job, an exchange program, research, love, an assignment.

Each story in 'So Far and Yet So Near' has a touching personal charm, which can be appreciated by all readers. Reading The Birdfeeder by Wallis Wilde-Menozzi, several images and memories emerged in my mind: miniature pictures of Saint Francis of Assisi in my childhood and my own futile attempts to keep the memory of California's flowers and hummingbirds alive on my Bavarian balcony. Past and present, nostalgia and reality - Menozzi weaves a rich narrative with universal appeal, and a surprise conclusion that I won't reveal here! The little prince cleaning his volcano so it won't erupt crossed my mind when I read Margo Renner's With a Volcano in the Backyard, which takes place on a tiny island in Iceland. Renner's story is, like many of the others, about maturing and taking on responsibilities.

Some stories cover a longer period of time - months or even years - others are reflections of moments such as Christopher Davenport's description of A Bus Ride with singing nuns in Papua New Guinea which contrasts sharply with Timothy James Kelley's Trapped on a Train story in Shanghai with a dead rooster.

I can warmly recommend 'So Far and Yet So Near', compiled and published in paperback by American Citizens Abroad (ACA.), a volunteer nonprofit association dedicated to serving U.S. citizens abroad. The title of Celeste Snyder's story in Kuwait speaks for both readers and authors of this book, It Has Been a Real Trip.

For more information please contact ACA: http://www.aca.ch/
To order 'So Far and Yet So Near' please click here: http://www.aca.ch/acabook4.htm
Book reviewed by Marina Mecl (ovfcores@aol.com)

November 2006

Copyright Marina Mecl 2006

Subject: So Far and Yet So Near, American expats, expat writing, expat literature