Favorite Quotes:

Living in Abu Dhabi is akin to being a minnow in a fishbowl next to a tank of piranhas. You’re safe unless the glass breaks.


I start by brushing my teeth vigorously, as if I’m Lady Macbeth and dental stains are the proof of my crime.

Allan’s hairline has receded in the years we’ve been together, but what’s left still stands straight off his head. He still looks like Einstein and still dresses like a teenage boy in Converse sneakers, snug designer jeans, and rock ’n roll T-shirts.

Walking across the sand with my unwieldy coconut collection, I look like a juggler who’s forgotten what to do.

“Charred pigeon… And it’s mine. I’m taking it home for a snack later.” Habiba was nine months pregnant. The pigeon was all hers. I told her about eating live termites in Kenya and live octopus in Korea. She faked a gag reflex.

My Review:

I seldom read memoirs, as many people who write them erroneously believe that their lives are infinitely fascinating when they just - aren’t… However, this one held my interest as Nancy Stearns Bercaw, whom I had never heard of before, has lived an extremely adventuresome life, whether she was sober or soused. The book started in Abu Dhabi and ended in Iceland, just to give you perspective on the extremes of the wanderlust that was her normal. And in between those places were tales of her stints as a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa and Korea with additional jaunts all around the dark continent, as well as trips and stays in Singapore, Manila, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kathmandu, New Delhi, Egypt, and the Taj Mahal.

The murder of a coworker in Korea seemed to have left a lasting scar on her psyche. However, her epiphany or Come to Jesus Moment occurred in Abu Dhabi when she was faced with the obscenity of her health status as the result of thirty years of over imbibing. Facing her demons was not an easy task, nor was it dull for the reader to follow. I was not familiar with the term or concept of “dryland” training, which involves having swimmers perform sit-ups and push-up exercise outside of the pool to learn, “to grapple with the forces of gravity outside their preferred element.” The narrative was often amusing and remained entertaining throughout although it was not ordered in a chronological sequence and tended to swing passionately back in forth through various timelines of the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and beyond. Despite this, it was easy to follow and I thought nothing of it as my memories zigzag in a similar manner when I take stock of my own time on this earth, although my history would not be quite as eventful, well-traveled, or honestly expressed. I refer you back to my first sentence in regard to those writing memoirs ;)

Dryland was a relatively quick and easy read for me. I don't usually read a lot of nonfiction, when I received the invite from TLC Tours I felt this one had potential.

While living in Abu Dhabi the author finally come to terms with her addiction to alcohol and stops cold turkey. The story went back-and-forth in the time, from the day she made her decision to quit and then backtracks to her life story and how she got to where she was. So you really need to pay attention to the chapter dates to avoid confusion.

The traveling to different places was interesting and showed the different cultures the author was able to experience. I appreciate her honesty here and being so open, letting readers into all that she has been through. While I commend the author for her decision, she never really came out and said she was an alcoholic and my overall impression felt like it was too easy a thing to give up and realistically I am not sure that is the case normally. Showing more of the physical and mental struggles she went through would have really enhanced this memoir. But all in all a nice read.

Thanks to TLC tours and Netgalley for an e-book copy