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saraqt's review
3.0
This was the type of book that I read and then wanted a friend to move far away so we could do the same thing! I liked reading about the friendship of these two women and their struggles during their time apart. Kate's story was particularly intriguing because I have so little knowledge about education in Africa. It kept me reading, which I was concerned about with the all letters format.
erboe501's review
4.0
I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I didn't think real letters could have such entertaining, even poetic language. The letters were easy to read, but not superficial or frivolous. My heart broke with Kate as she struggled with her students in Kenya. Hilary's descriptions of her dates and other escapades made me feel like I was there with her. These women are very clever and witty writers. I'm envious of the treasure they possess in these letters to each other. Their terms of endearment and other colloquialisms were such fun to read. Who writes letters like these anymore? I want to.
thukpa's review against another edition
5.0
Nice little book that has incredible resonance for me because I have been seperated by and ocean (a different one,) for a year from my best friend, and I am afraid she's never coming back.
mkko61's review
2.0
Surprise ending. The African parts were interesting, but the American one was a bit rough.
rosarachel's review
3.0
A very fast read, a little outdated at this point, but an enjoyable look into quarterlifes (is that a noun? It is now). These two women took very different paths, and their letters to each other are sweet and sometimes quite lovely. A good book for a train ride or a sunny afternoon.
pagesofpins's review
4.0
I was impressed that real letters were filled with such insight and poetic language. After college, Kate gets married and joins the Peace Corps with her husband, while Hilary stays behind and has adventures in successful adulting. They're both great writers, but I confess I found Kate's missives about struggling with justice vs culture and living in horrific conditions much more thought provoking than Hilary's, though Hilary does reflect being equally lost (searching for affordable housing, taking jobs no one understands, having various relationships with sucky men who do not treat her well). I really, really felt like I was watching Seinfeld. Also, Kate's husband is hilarious. I enjoy his short postscripts.
The book is a bit dated now (Hilary is explaining what instant messenger and cybersex are to her overseas friend, who is shocked to learn that there are now blue M&M's).
They seem unable to keep up their closeness when Kate returns, or perhaps its just too strange being exiles in the same city. A believeable ending, most friendships are usually in a flux state when you're becoming an adult, but a bit melancholy as well.
Overall, this is anecdote gold, but I am curious in the motivations of the authors in publishing it. Is there a message they were hoping to convey? Preserving all that is important in friendship for posterity? Make a few bucks?
3.5 stars
The book is a bit dated now (Hilary is explaining what instant messenger and cybersex are to her overseas friend, who is shocked to learn that there are now blue M&M's).
They seem unable to keep up their closeness when Kate returns, or perhaps its just too strange being exiles in the same city. A believeable ending, most friendships are usually in a flux state when you're becoming an adult, but a bit melancholy as well.
Overall, this is anecdote gold, but I am curious in the motivations of the authors in publishing it. Is there a message they were hoping to convey? Preserving all that is important in friendship for posterity? Make a few bucks?
3.5 stars
nbrickman's review
5.0
This book reminded me so much of me and my friend. Not because we are just like the characters or anything, but because of the quality of the letters and the writing style. We should publish ours!
I really loved it.
I really loved it.
emurph09's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Quotes
« Children will drop everything to start chasing after me yelling, « mzungu, mzungu ! » … sometimes, though, the child will run so hard and so long, it feels like desperation — rich, white tourist, help me. »
« Children will drop everything to start chasing after me yelling, « mzungu, mzungu ! » … sometimes, though, the child will run so hard and so long, it feels like desperation — rich, white tourist, help me. »
« i commute out of the city — away from all my friends and the places I know — to work in a sterile office at an ill-defined new job in a big, generic office building on a highway in Westchester. »
« i had thought I wanted to be the kind of person who really ‘embraces’ a culture. Now I don’t think so. I know now, for example, that I’m not interested in exploring whether or not brutality improves education, or whether or not subservience in women improved marriages. On these topics, my mind is not open. »
renatasnacks's review
3.0
This was a super quick read. I like reading Peace Corps books to kind of compare notes. I am glad that I did not get Kate's Peace Corps placement. Anyway, I'd pretty much only recommend this to people interested in learning about Peace Corps--it was good, but not great. You know.
taylakaye's review
3.0
This was an interesting read. It consists of letters written between two college friends. One serving in the Peace Corp in Africa, the other working some vaguely described office job in NYC. The juxtaposition is inherently appealing and it makes for a pretty quick and interesting read. I somewhat question the claim that these are the original letters, though. To my mind there must have been some editing/embelishment, but I may just be a cynic. A great read if you're thinking about the Peace Corp (or if you know you couldn't commit to that, but have always been curious about what it's like).