When Vernon leaves London for Barcelona speaking only a few words of Spanish, little does he imagine how events will transform his life. From the ferocious dog that chases him down a dark stairway to haircuts with washing machines and accidentally stripping naked during a hospital appointment, finding his feet is far from easy. Barcelona is quick to cast its spell, but will Vernon ever master … Vernon ever master Spanish? Will he eventually find romance? Or will he return to London to resume his teaching career?
This is the lively first instalment in Vernon’s “Barcelona” series.
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A very enjoyable read
This is an absorbing memoir about the author’s journey of self-discovery, in his late twenties, as he ventures out on a new life in Spain.
It had been Vernon Lacey’s dream to live overseas and learn a new language. This book takes us through the first years of him achieving that dream. It is not an easy journey and there are obstacles in his way, but he overcomes these with grit and determination.
The story is told with a great sense of humour. It includes vivid descriptions and a depth of feeling that transport you to join Vernon in a life of discovery in Barcelona. There is a great mix of stories from his time teaching at an International school, exploring his new environment and detailing his many social experiences. Some of the most amusing anecdotes involve his learning of Spanish and misunderstandings that result along the way.
It is not often that I read a book from start to finish with hardly a break. This one was so absorbing that I could not put it down for long before coming back to it. A very enjoyable read that I would highly recommend to all memoir lovers.
I loved this memoir. It reminded me of Laurie Lee’s As I walked Out One Midsummer Morning in its scope and also its detail. The author has great powers of description and his cameos of the characters he met are wonderful. A memorable read.
A wonderful real-life experience of life in Spain
Travel with the author as he moves to Spain, leaving behind his busy teaching job in the UK for a new life and job working in an international school. This is an extremely well-written and engaging book that transports you to the real Barcelona. I giggled at some of the author’s attempts to learn Spanish, recognising so many of the situations as similar to our own when we moved to live in Portugal. Barcelona is brought to life through the many interesting experiences, places and people that Vernon portrays with his skilful descriptions. He is a natural story-teller, and paints vivid pictures with his words. It is refreshing to read a memoir like this written by someone younger who wants to experience all that life in Barcelona can offer, and I am very much looking forward to reading more from this author. Highly recommended.
Vernon Lacey journeys overland to Barcelona, swapping a busy teaching schedule for a more relaxed timetable in an international school.
The author shares humorous descriptions of his fellow teachers, and somewhat privileged students, whom he aims to inspire in language and literature. Unfortunately, some of his students are not too eager to study.
A better salary and cheaper cost of living allow Vernon to rent an apartment in a very desirable area of the city, with a colourful character called Montse as his landlady.
I loved his fun conversations, describing his attempts to learn the Spanish language from Montse, local shopkeepers, and a colourful cast of characters.
The city of Barcelona is vividly described, as he gets acquainted with it’s architecture, history, culture and nightlife. I particularly enjoyed his travels by bicycle into the countryside.
South to Barcelona is a very enjoyable memoir.