writeramyshannon's review
5.0
Amazing journey
I found this book just simply amazing. It was a fascinating learning experience and a wonderful journey. I feil i was with the author on this captivating journey. I didn't know much about Cairo before reading it, and I've learned a lot. I felt like I was almost there. There was a lot of details, about the little things and about major events, which made the story balanced. Filled with a lot of truths about humanity and inhumanity. It's a totally different world, but it's a wonderful read and learning experience.
I found this book just simply amazing. It was a fascinating learning experience and a wonderful journey. I feil i was with the author on this captivating journey. I didn't know much about Cairo before reading it, and I've learned a lot. I felt like I was almost there. There was a lot of details, about the little things and about major events, which made the story balanced. Filled with a lot of truths about humanity and inhumanity. It's a totally different world, but it's a wonderful read and learning experience.
jessica42980's review
4.0
All my reviews can be found at : http://jessicasreadingroom.com
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This review will post on my site November 28, 2018.
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Jill Dobbe has written her memoir of her two years of life in Egypt while working in an international (though mainly Egyptian) school. She was there with her husband and daughter. Dobbe is from Wisconsin and that is a whole world of difference from Cairo, Egypt! We experience the cultural and religious shocks that she experiences.
I was looking forward to reading this memoir as I visited Egypt back in 2006. Dobbe really delivered with her descriptions of Cairo which included the dirtiness of the city and the extreme differences in the poor and wealthy. As I was reading, I felt myself returning to Egypt myself and remembering some of the places that we both visited. We also lived through her two years of teaching, which at times was difficult for Dobbe, in particular not knowing the language. It seemed at times she was unprepared for the cultural differences of Egypt compared to the USA. Though adjusted, it did not seem like they researched Egypt before moving there. I felt for her daughter who moved with them during her senior year of high school. Senior year is a special time of change for a student and I feel Dobbe’s daughter missed out on some of the usual experiences that a senior faces. Granted, her daughter did get a once in a lifetime experience: a year of school in a foreign country. I just would not have picked my child’s senior year as the year to move to Cairo.
We were able to take trips with Dobbe and her family as they took vacations to various parts of Egypt that many Americans may never get to see. Dobbe describes everything very well, you really feel like you are with her while reading this novel. Dobbe also includes a few pictures of her time in Egypt which enhances the read. Reading Kids, Camels, and Cairo had me wanting to go back to Egypt again! Reading this memoir helped me to remember my trip fondly.
I enjoyed this memoir and look forward to reading Dobbe’s other memoirs.
Kids, Camels, and Cairo is recommended! I received a copy of the memoir from the author.
~~~~~
This review will post on my site November 28, 2018.
~~~~~
Jill Dobbe has written her memoir of her two years of life in Egypt while working in an international (though mainly Egyptian) school. She was there with her husband and daughter. Dobbe is from Wisconsin and that is a whole world of difference from Cairo, Egypt! We experience the cultural and religious shocks that she experiences.
I was looking forward to reading this memoir as I visited Egypt back in 2006. Dobbe really delivered with her descriptions of Cairo which included the dirtiness of the city and the extreme differences in the poor and wealthy. As I was reading, I felt myself returning to Egypt myself and remembering some of the places that we both visited. We also lived through her two years of teaching, which at times was difficult for Dobbe, in particular not knowing the language. It seemed at times she was unprepared for the cultural differences of Egypt compared to the USA. Though adjusted, it did not seem like they researched Egypt before moving there. I felt for her daughter who moved with them during her senior year of high school. Senior year is a special time of change for a student and I feel Dobbe’s daughter missed out on some of the usual experiences that a senior faces. Granted, her daughter did get a once in a lifetime experience: a year of school in a foreign country. I just would not have picked my child’s senior year as the year to move to Cairo.
We were able to take trips with Dobbe and her family as they took vacations to various parts of Egypt that many Americans may never get to see. Dobbe describes everything very well, you really feel like you are with her while reading this novel. Dobbe also includes a few pictures of her time in Egypt which enhances the read. Reading Kids, Camels, and Cairo had me wanting to go back to Egypt again! Reading this memoir helped me to remember my trip fondly.
I enjoyed this memoir and look forward to reading Dobbe’s other memoirs.
Kids, Camels, and Cairo is recommended! I received a copy of the memoir from the author.
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