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reannonmuth's review
5.0
This is a good book to read if you're looking to travel to India or are simply looking for a little arm-chair travel. I've been to India and found myself nodding along through many of the author's tales about her and her husband's experience navigating India as foreigners, as I had many of the same experiences (especially the monkey attacks — India taught me that while monkeys may look cute, they can be ferocious little buggers).
I also learned a lot about India, which surprised me because I thought I already knew a lot about it.
The book definitely made me want to live abroad again and I'm envious of the author's life (she's taught in multiple countries). She makes expat life seem adventurous and fun, which I think can be attributed to the cheerful, optimistic tone she maintains throughout the story.
The ending made me want to read more from the author, as I see that she now lives in Honduras. I'd be curious to see how her teaching experience in Central America compares. I hope she continues writing.
This is a quick, light read and provides a good introduction to Indian culture and some of the towns and cities in the Northern region.
I also learned a lot about India, which surprised me because I thought I already knew a lot about it.
The book definitely made me want to live abroad again and I'm envious of the author's life (she's taught in multiple countries). She makes expat life seem adventurous and fun, which I think can be attributed to the cheerful, optimistic tone she maintains throughout the story.
The ending made me want to read more from the author, as I see that she now lives in Honduras. I'd be curious to see how her teaching experience in Central America compares. I hope she continues writing.
This is a quick, light read and provides a good introduction to Indian culture and some of the towns and cities in the Northern region.
ozzelloj's review against another edition
4.0
Some really interesting stories! Also some nice insight into Indian culture.
jessica42980's review
adventurous
informative
4.0
All my reviews can be found at: http://jessicasreadingroom.com
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This review will appear on my site on December 10, 2021.
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I read Jill Dobbe’s previous memoir of living in Cairo, Egypt titled Kids, Camels, and Cairo several years ago. Having been to Egypt, her writing brought me right back to Cairo and those wonderful memories of my family trip I was on with my aunt, uncle, mother, and sister. That was to be my final trip with my uncle as he passed from lung cancer just two months later. Needless to say, I looked forward to reading Only in India and taking a trip without ever having left the house!
Jill and her husband left Cairo and then India was their next destination in their teaching adventures. India is not on my bucket list, but I have seen Bollywood movies, movies in general, and tv shows taking place in India and enjoy all the colors that are present. I honestly do not know much about India, but reading Dobbe’s memoir I definitely learned about the country, culture, religions, and history. I now definitely want to see the movie Gandhi that stars Sir Ben Kingsley, it is sad to say that this ignorant American did not know about the circumstances of his death.
The memoir actually starts at the end of their time in India when she and her husband had to suddenly leave due to visa issues. As I read of her time in India, I enjoyed going on her journey of remembrance with her, as I ‘experienced’ India for the first time. There are definitely huge culture differences and she shows us the culture shock experienced by her and her husband.
It is written similar to a diary, so the memoir is honest and full of their experiences, good and bad while also seeing how the Dobbe’s react to certain situations. They are presently living in Honduras, so I look forward to a memoir that takes place there, so I can journey to another country I have never been to!
I have had this memoir on my kindle for a few years, but just now picked it up. I read it as a part of #Diverseathon2021, and this month’s prompt is a book set in India.
If you are interested in travel memoirs or teaching in foreign countries, I definitely recommend looking into Dobbe’s books. I wish it had not taken me this long to read Only in India, but there are so many books and not enough time! She has one more memoir written that I find myself wanting to read!
Only in India: Adventures of an International Educator is recommended!
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This review will appear on my site on December 10, 2021.
~~~~
I read Jill Dobbe’s previous memoir of living in Cairo, Egypt titled Kids, Camels, and Cairo several years ago. Having been to Egypt, her writing brought me right back to Cairo and those wonderful memories of my family trip I was on with my aunt, uncle, mother, and sister. That was to be my final trip with my uncle as he passed from lung cancer just two months later. Needless to say, I looked forward to reading Only in India and taking a trip without ever having left the house!
Jill and her husband left Cairo and then India was their next destination in their teaching adventures. India is not on my bucket list, but I have seen Bollywood movies, movies in general, and tv shows taking place in India and enjoy all the colors that are present. I honestly do not know much about India, but reading Dobbe’s memoir I definitely learned about the country, culture, religions, and history. I now definitely want to see the movie Gandhi that stars Sir Ben Kingsley, it is sad to say that this ignorant American did not know about the circumstances of his death.
The memoir actually starts at the end of their time in India when she and her husband had to suddenly leave due to visa issues. As I read of her time in India, I enjoyed going on her journey of remembrance with her, as I ‘experienced’ India for the first time. There are definitely huge culture differences and she shows us the culture shock experienced by her and her husband.
It is written similar to a diary, so the memoir is honest and full of their experiences, good and bad while also seeing how the Dobbe’s react to certain situations. They are presently living in Honduras, so I look forward to a memoir that takes place there, so I can journey to another country I have never been to!
I have had this memoir on my kindle for a few years, but just now picked it up. I read it as a part of #Diverseathon2021, and this month’s prompt is a book set in India.
If you are interested in travel memoirs or teaching in foreign countries, I definitely recommend looking into Dobbe’s books. I wish it had not taken me this long to read Only in India, but there are so many books and not enough time! She has one more memoir written that I find myself wanting to read!
Only in India: Adventures of an International Educator is recommended!
writeramyshannon's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing story
Dobbe writes "Only in India" in first person, and it brings her travels with her husband, Dan, to life. It's a powerful story that shines a light on the illegality of (foreign) educators in India. She writes "Hearing about (Michael) Jackson’s death at that particular moment gave me new perspective on our situation, and I knew that for the rest of my life, I would equate the time I left India with the moment I heard that the world had lost a much-loved musical genius." But it doesn't end there, and each word brings the reader into the author's mindset and experience. It shows the culture and diversity of the Indian people in contrast to Americans, men and women.
It's an amazing story.
Dobbe writes "Only in India" in first person, and it brings her travels with her husband, Dan, to life. It's a powerful story that shines a light on the illegality of (foreign) educators in India. She writes "Hearing about (Michael) Jackson’s death at that particular moment gave me new perspective on our situation, and I knew that for the rest of my life, I would equate the time I left India with the moment I heard that the world had lost a much-loved musical genius." But it doesn't end there, and each word brings the reader into the author's mindset and experience. It shows the culture and diversity of the Indian people in contrast to Americans, men and women.
It's an amazing story.
brittski's review
5.0
You may recognize Jill Dobbe from her previous book, Kids, Camels, Cairo. I absolutely loved her book and her writing style. I was thrilled when I found out that she was writing another book.
Only In India is Jill and Dan’s life experiences in India working as international educators. Every few years, they travel to teach at different schools around the globe. And each story is more wonderful than the last!
Jill’s writing is so simple and easy. It just flows so well and I find myself reading pages and pages with ease. And the stories are funny and bizarre and beautiful.
Jill tells tales of traveling all over India in her free time. She visited the Taj Mahal, rode an elephant, toured Ghandi’s home, and so many other adventures in this magical country.
My favorite bits were Dan escaping from fearsome monkeys when he went out for runs.
What is really compelling about all of Jill’s books is that they introduce you to a new culture you may otherwise not experience. I felt myself right next to Jill in the hot, humid, and smelly atmosphere of the airport, the peaceful tranquility of northern India, and the chaos of city roads. You can even smell the spices of Indian cooking. She brings her experiences to you and makes you long for a place you’ve never been.
I’ve even been able to talk about India with a coworker who is from there.
Jill’s book is educational, funny, and heartwarming all in one.
Only in India by Jill Dobbe receives 5 stars.
Only In India is Jill and Dan’s life experiences in India working as international educators. Every few years, they travel to teach at different schools around the globe. And each story is more wonderful than the last!
Jill’s writing is so simple and easy. It just flows so well and I find myself reading pages and pages with ease. And the stories are funny and bizarre and beautiful.
Jill tells tales of traveling all over India in her free time. She visited the Taj Mahal, rode an elephant, toured Ghandi’s home, and so many other adventures in this magical country.
My favorite bits were Dan escaping from fearsome monkeys when he went out for runs.
What is really compelling about all of Jill’s books is that they introduce you to a new culture you may otherwise not experience. I felt myself right next to Jill in the hot, humid, and smelly atmosphere of the airport, the peaceful tranquility of northern India, and the chaos of city roads. You can even smell the spices of Indian cooking. She brings her experiences to you and makes you long for a place you’ve never been.
I’ve even been able to talk about India with a coworker who is from there.
Jill’s book is educational, funny, and heartwarming all in one.
Only in India by Jill Dobbe receives 5 stars.
rebeccacarter's review
5.0
Visiting another country can be both exciting and scary. Living there for any length of time even more so. In my travels, I've discovered that I've felt more culture shock upon returning home than I have from the countries I've visited. You expect things to be different when you visit a place with a different culture. But while there, it becomes more familiar to you. It's only when you return home to was "normal" before, that the differences really hit you. That's a bit about what the author seems to have experienced. The way of life in India is so different from our own (in the western world).
This was a great virtual trip for me as I've never been to India. It looks at the funny and sometimes terrifying events that the author and her husband experience while in the country. Never a dull moment. I grew up in a place where there are mostly white people, natives of both the state and country. About a decade ago, I started working at a place where many people from India worked -- either here on a work visa or those who had acquired their green cards. I found most of them passive, soft-spoken, and extremely polite.
From this book you will learn even more about the people and their lives, and their attitudes toward what is an every-day occurrence -- from monkeys to poverty to speed racing around narrow mountain roads. If you've ever wanted a closer look at India, you'll want to read this book.
Now... how do I do that head wobble so I don't have to commit to a yes or no?
This was a great virtual trip for me as I've never been to India. It looks at the funny and sometimes terrifying events that the author and her husband experience while in the country. Never a dull moment. I grew up in a place where there are mostly white people, natives of both the state and country. About a decade ago, I started working at a place where many people from India worked -- either here on a work visa or those who had acquired their green cards. I found most of them passive, soft-spoken, and extremely polite.
From this book you will learn even more about the people and their lives, and their attitudes toward what is an every-day occurrence -- from monkeys to poverty to speed racing around narrow mountain roads. If you've ever wanted a closer look at India, you'll want to read this book.
Now... how do I do that head wobble so I don't have to commit to a yes or no?
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