The Bookworm Club Review
Created | Updated Oct 7, 2003
All reviews are written by members of The H2G2 Bookworm's Club. We hope this review is helpful and that we'll see you airing your views at the Club soon.
Driving Over Lemons by Chris Stewart
Reviewed by Kat
When I first picked up this book I was unsure of what to expect. Would it be a moaning re-hash of popular opinions of Spain? Or was it going to be a lesson in Spanish immersion but with nothing that I could really relate to?
Not so!
Chris Stewart (formerly of the band Genesis), gave up his life of sheep shearing in Sussex, England to try a life of Spanish farming in Las Alpujarras, a region just south of Granada. In 'Driving Over Lemons' he has written his version of what happened. Events include the act of buying a dilapidated farm house, persuading his wife that it was a good idea, as well as coping with irate Spanish farmers and sheep.
The book begins with Chris house hunting with an estate, continues into a mixture of adventure and episodes with a mix of Spanish farmers and shepherds, finally ending in a 'to be continued' way with night time swimming in the river.
This book is a funny, accurate account of one man's experiences in Spain. It provides clear imagery, causes laughter, surprise, concern, and sadness at every corner. Each page contains something that gives the reader insight, and captivates from beginning to end. I found I could pick it up and put it down at will, but once I had started reading a chapter I HAD to finish that one before anything else could take my real attention. I would recommend this book to anyone who has reason to be interested in Spain, moving country, or even just the personal lives of people.
There is a warning however. It is already known that one researcher has lost a grandmother to this book. Having read it, she took off and decided to try her hand at olive farming in Spain. Last we heard she was doing fine.
The Bookworm Club Review
Archive