Gregory E. Buford

This is an entertaining read by a “house husband” about his experiences living in Paris and minding his 3 young kids. The author is good at self-deprecating humor as we learn of his cultural faux-pas and family antics. We are gifted with a few of his recipes, some (good) dumb Dad jokes, and even some European history, (where he mentions “Jerk-face Hitler” and the vodka-guzzling Russians). Throughout, his appreciation of France shines through and will have you planning your next trip there!
This book works fine as a stand-alone, though I had also read and enjoyed Buford’s prior book (Kept: An American Househusband in India), and I look forward to reading his next one on being ‘Kept’ in Cambodia. Tarantula, anyone?
I won a free copy of this book (thanks to the author & publisher!) and am voluntarily providing an honest review.… (més)

This is an interesting and enjoyable read. It is narrated in a casual voice by a young American father who travels to India with his family for his wife’s job in the foreign service. With openness and good-hearted humor, he describes his experiences of living in a different culture. In this case, there are actually two new cultures – that of (often madcap but endearing) India and that of the (generally narrow minded & racist) expat community that he socializes with. The author has insight into his privileged position as a “wealthy” Westerner. And for what it is worth, I agree with his recommendation to try masala chai!
I won a free copy of this book (thanks to the author & publisher!) and am voluntarily providing an honest review.… (més)

All too often it’s the wife who has to leave all of her friends and nearby family members in order to follow her husband to his new job and work location; which is why I had enjoyed reading what happens when the shoe is on the other foot and the husband has to follow his wife.

Being a child of the 1950’s, I can’t but recall Peggy March hit song of 1967, “I Will Follow Him.” Given the author’s commitment to his wife he had to follow her, for he had no other choice/possibility. If we replace the author with his wife we can see the reason why, the author did what he had to do, and simply follow her:

“Love her, I love her, I love her
And where she goes I'll follow, I'll follow, I'll follow

I will follow her, follow her wherever she may go
There isn't an ocean too deep
A mountain so high it can keep me away

I must follow her (follow her), ever since she touched my hand I knew
That near her I always must be
And nothing can keep him from me
She is my destiny (destiny)…”

While staying within the US would have been one thing when his wife gets her ideal job, getting hauled off to India, is definitely a horse of a different color, especially since he’s always been loyal to the company he’s worked for so many years.

With his wife now working for the diplomatic service, puts him and his wife into situations regular tourists like us would have never dreamt of experiencing. Furthermore, with his wife’s job being one of her first priorities, they never had the time to give birth to a child, which results in their decision on adopting a young girl from the country they’re in, India. This ultimately causes the author having to totally change his profession which will along with his wife’s career to make India an intricate, permanent part of their lives.

For wanting to share his heartwarming, and at times uproarious memoir, regarding the commitment he and his wife shared being together, I’ve given the author 5 STARS.… (més)