Doing Germany: Book Two

In the sequel to the best-selling DOING GERMANY, Agnieszka Paletta picks up exactly where she left off. She is still a slave to chocolate and wine, still a Polish-Canadian-lover-of-Italy, still a grasshopper in a new country, Germany. Two years may have passed, but the moose-in-headlights persists as she continues to discover Deutschland. (After two years, what is there left to discover?) Ye, of little faith. Plenty and plenty and then some! And what’s more, with some unexpected lessons that come with having a baby and owning a house.

Ever an immigrant in a foreign land, Paletta will take you for a cultural spin as you explore Germany through her Polish-Canadian-Italian eyes. So just sit back and enjoy the humorous, witty ride. (And pour yourself a glass of wine while you’re at it.)

*May Contain Spoilers*

 

Agneiszka Paletta wastes no time with readers as she dives in to sharing her life experiences with the world. And as a frequent traveler, Paletta has a lot of experiences to share. This sequel, Doing Germany: Book Two, focuses on family life and therefore lays a quick foundation that readers will be able to relate to. Added bonus: having a baby and buying/fixing up a house make for a lot of quirky stories.

 

What I found most fascinating about this novel were the comparisons between countries and traditions. In the timeframe that Doing Germany: Book Two covers, Paletta shares stories of New Year's, Easter, Halloween (Hallowe'en?) and Christmas while pointing out obvious differences. Culture is one of those things that I find unbelievably intriguing and Paletta tells all about the German and Polish cultures as they relate to her specific experiences. (Presents under pillows instead of a tree?)

 

Paletta's writing style is one set for entertainment. At moments, you, as the reader, will feel as if she's talking directly to you. It's an engaging edge that she uses to bring readers into her life, as if you've known each other for years and she's just sent you an e-mail on the latest shenanigans. The way that the book is written aligns with this. The chapters are short essays laced with wit, humor, German, and Polish. They're simply fun to read.

 

Though not all chapters are fun. Paletta does go through a heartbreaking moment around the middle of the book and it's a big thing that people tend not to talk about: miscarriage. Paletta takes a serious step in choosing to include this in her book and it's commendable and brave. Though it seems out of character for her as an author, if anything Paletta keeps things real and that's something to love about her writing.

 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

Read the review of Book One: Doing Germany

Vuto

Vuto is only 17 when her third child dies, mere days after birth.

Malawian tradition prevents men from considering a child their own until it has survived for two weeks. Frustrated at not being able to speak to her husband, Solomon, about all three of the children she’s had to bury alone, Vuto forces him to acknowledge the dead baby. Her rejection of tradition causes Solomon and the village elders to banish Vuto from the only home she’s ever known. She seeks refuge in the hut of U.S. Peace Corps volunteer Samantha Brennan, where Solomon discovers his wife has not left as she was told.

When Solomon arrives in the night to attack Vuto, Samantha disregards her oath to remain uninvolved in village politics and interjects herself into the center of the conflict, defending Vuto and killing Solomon in the process.

The women go on the run from Vuto’s village and the Peace Corps, encountering physical, ethical and cultural struggles along the way.

*May Contain Spoilers*

A.J. Walkley describes the world of tribal Africa as only few outsiders see it in her novel, Vuto. Inspired by her time in the Peace Corps, Walkley shares, in intimate detail, what happens to a woman in Malawi who goes against tradition.

Dyna (aka Vuto) and Samantha share the status of main character, brought together by an unspeakable horror. Samantha is incredibly strong in her beliefs and doesn't hesitate to stand up for them. She's courageous, loyal, and braver than I can even explain. Readers will support Samantha throughout the novel, every step of the way, and that is where their connection will form. Dyna is an African who doesn't accept her native traditions. She is nicknamed Vuto, because it's translation means trouble or bad. Earning the nickname by standing up for herself and her deceased children against the elders of the tribe. Readers will understand and empathize with Dyna's plight forming an immediate emotional bond.

The plot of the novel follows Dyna and Samantha after Dyna is banished from her villiage and Samantha kills a village elder to save Dyna's life. They escape, heading toward the border, unsure what to do in this disaster of a situation. With help and hindrance from other Peace Corps volunteers, Dyna and Samantha struggle in the aftermath of what they've both done, finding strength only in each other. Vuto is emotionally charged and full of rich detail that readers will find gripping and unable to put down.

Rating: 4.5/5 Cups