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

Doing Germany

Agnieszka Paletta did what most of us only dream about doing – she quit her job, family and friends and traveled to live in a foreign country. And what’s more, she did this more than once. Call it reckless or fearless, that is she.

This laid-back, entertaining book is the story of this Polish-Canadian-lover-of-Italy’s move to Germany, a new frontier. Through her eyes, discover the curiosities of her surroundings; love some and gape at others, yearn for home, try to buy one, laugh with her and at her.

DOING GERMANY is travel writing at its best: a funny, irresistible portrait of Germany, set against the backdrop of Paletta’s relationship and vigorous loyalties as well as her devotion to Poland, Canada and Italy.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Agnieszka Paletta definitely did what I and many others have dreamed, planned out, but never actually went through with in her travel novel, Doing Germany. She decided one day to leave Canada and travel: to Poland, Italy, and Germany with other stops along the way. 

Doing Germany is a collection of short essays presented in a linear timeline. Through the tidbits of information she shares and the outline of her experiences, readers will have an easy time connecting to Paletta. She's funny, addicted to chocolate, open, adventurous, and maybe a little stubborn (refusing to learn German and all c:). Readers see her relationship with M, her husband, bloom while they live in Germany, a country that Paletta hadn't really wanted to visit and/or live in. 

The writing style is easy to follow with plenty of explanation, which is necessary when discussing foreign countries. A few of the essays were less than interesting while others were quite funny. All were enjoyable, especially for readers who are fascinated by life in foreign countries, like I am. Paletta does a wonderful job transporting readers to Germany and letting them experience small adventures along side her, but I would have liked to see the book begin when Paletta got to Italy or Poland. I think it would have been that much more fascinating to witness her arrival in a foreign country, her unhappiness with the situation, and her decision to have a bigger adventure. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups