'The author's joie de vivre and love of connection makes this book a joy to read' - review on We Love Memoirs
In The Guardian:
The book was published in 2008 and has been re-released in 2021 as an e-book with slight amendments. In Australia it is available in paperback from Wakefield Press.
From summer 2021 it is available in Bulgarian from Era Books - see review in Bulgarian here, with a section translated into English below.
'I expected to read about pop culture, fashion and high technology, but it was even more interesting for me to read about ancient tombs, Buddhist temples and the homes of random people. There, Jennifer achieves her goal and finds the "heart" of Korea. In the symbiosis between the kindness of people and the pride in their culture, an incredible quality is born - they are determined to do what they can to ensure she leaves with happy memories.' - Emilia Kirchova, Bulgaria
Excerpt from the book:
...Incredulous, I spent the evening sequestered in that perfect, simple space, listening to thunder in the hills and the ceaseless splashing and crashing of the rain as it poured off the eaves. Opening my wood-and-paper shutters, which were held back by carved wooden turtles, I looked out into the semi-dark and smelled the fresh air. Lightning floodlit the courtyard from time to time, revealing gnarled trees and, sheltered by a wooden pavilion, a giant iron bell and a hanging log in the shape of a fish. Monks ran around in robes and slippers, carrying umbrellas, avoiding the pooling water. The two who'd brought me here returned a couple of times, once to give me a candle when the storm was too bad to have the electric light on, and again to check I was comfortable. 'Breakfast is at eight,' they said, then conferred. Wrong word? 'No, sorry, six.' Smiles, bows.
...Incredulous, I spent the evening sequestered in that perfect, simple space, listening to thunder in the hills and the ceaseless splashing and crashing of the rain as it poured off the eaves. Opening my wood-and-paper shutters, which were held back by carved wooden turtles, I looked out into the semi-dark and smelled the fresh air. Lightning floodlit the courtyard from time to time, revealing gnarled trees and, sheltered by a wooden pavilion, a giant iron bell and a hanging log in the shape of a fish. Monks ran around in robes and slippers, carrying umbrellas, avoiding the pooling water. The two who'd brought me here returned a couple of times, once to give me a candle when the storm was too bad to have the electric light on, and again to check I was comfortable. 'Breakfast is at eight,' they said, then conferred. Wrong word? 'No, sorry, six.' Smiles, bows.
'fresh, amusing and light-hearted' - Simon Winchester
'Brilliantly evokes the strangeness of Seoul for a western visitor... a very lively account... invaluable and entertaining reading for any prospective visitor' - Margaret Drabble
'an amusing, easy read with some fresh insights into Korean culture' - Lonely Planet Korea
'Barclay is revealed as an excellent guide, her personal experience of the country reaching into every corner' - Publishing News
'a revealing exploration' - Shortlist
'a warm and funny journey... an invaluable primer' - Blue Wings magazine
'searches for the true spirit of South Korea' - Living Abroad magazine
'she is excellent at painting word portraits of the people she meets' - www.suite101.com
'succeeds where a lot of travel books have failed: it is entertaining, endearing and educational' - South China Morning Post
'Loving it... Really great book' - Mikey
'Entertaining and enlightening... the whole ethos of seeing places and experiencing them for what they are, immersing yourself in the culture of the area is wonderful' - Neil
Buy from Wakefield Press:
https://www.wakefieldpress.com.au/product.php?productid=501&cat=0&page=1
Buy from Wakefield Press:
https://www.wakefieldpress.com.au/product.php?productid=501&cat=0&page=1
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