THE FUN WE HAD
By the age of eight Carrie Evans had lived in eight different places in the UK. The various schools she attended were not always happy places and some of her teachers, if not actually psychotic, verged on the unstable and sadistic. Although it came as no surprise to those who knew her that she later chose a peripatetic lifestyle, it did puzzle some when she chose to make her living by peddling the present perfect in overseas language schools.
Beginning in the sultry, restrictive atmosphere of the Arabian desert in the UAE, Carrie bites the bullet to take advantage of a teaching job with a decent salary for once – but a despotic boss. Valiantly focussing on the positive aspects of her life there, she casts her mind back to happier days of childhood and candidly recalls her development as a language teacher. She reminisces about the places and people she met along the way, pondering her sojourns in far-flung corners of the globe.
A thoroughly enjoyable read that romps along from continent to continent, this beautifully written memoir is akin to an enormous postcard from the jaunt of a life. The Fun We Had is a tsunami of incident, gossip, and character vignettes, an exploration of other cultures sure to entertain anyone with a fascination for human quirks and foibles.
Available to Order online from sites such as; Bookshop.org, Amazon, Good Reads and many more, also available to order on Kindle and from all good bookshops!
ISBN: 9781805140696
Published September 28 2023
What People Are Saying
A Rollicking Good Read
“The book is a requiem to wonderful adventures vividly brought to life by Evan’s witty and precise sketches. To those who haven’t had such experiences, she skillfully introduces exotic vistas and cultures. For those who have had their own fond memories of traveling and teaching abroad, it recalls that excitement of following your instincts and riffing off the unknown. She is a likable and honest storyteller whose memoir darts between the present and past perfectly”
— Julia Hart, 5 out of 5 stars, reviewed on 11 December 2023
What Fun Indeed
“A charmingly nostalgic view of the life of an English language teacher working abroad, but much more than that. The descriptions are beautifully written with a level of detail that is sure to take the reader on a journey through memories that anyone who has spent time overseas will relate to and become immersed in. I love the fact that is isn’t written chronologically as our memories do pop up at random moments. Hopefully, this is the first of many memoirs by this author, as I’m sure there are many more tales to be told.”
— Janet Panter, 5 out of 5 stars, reviewed on 8 October 2023
A Must-Read for Traveller’s and Budding ESL Teachers
“A fascinating picaresque-style memoir and travelogue that entertains, absorbs and amuses. A must read for the building ESL teacher. Carrie’s character descriptions pinpoint the foibles and strengths of the people she meets with humorous clarity. Her warm and caring personality is evident in all her dealings with students and her more difficult acquaintances. She doesn’t shy away from the more difficult aspects of her life, but handles them with an honest and light touch which made me empathize with her very much. Can’t wit for the follow up.”
— Judith Barrett, 5 out of 5 stars, reviewed on 12 September 2023
Very Enjoyable
“Very well written in an appropriately chatty style, an enormous postcard from the jaunt of a life. A tsunami of incident, gossip, and character vignettes, carry on Carrie directed by Tati with a nod to Kerouac, seventies fashion magazines and foodie supplements. Very enjoyable.”
— David Harrison, 5 out of 5 stars, reviewed 23 October 2023
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