I didn't hate it, I didn't love it. Entertaining at times, but then it would slow down and I'd find myself skimming entire chapters. Still confused as to why the author and his family just picked up and moved to Ireland (Cork to be exact, where my maternal family emigrated from) but still envious that they had the guts to do it. His descriptions of driving in Ireland have completely turned me off of the idea of living anywhere but the United States though. Amurrica for LYFE :( ( )

Irish-American guy moves his family from Connecticut to Cork and lives to write a book about it. The better part of the book tells stories from the first year, although they live there for two years. The tone of this book is manic-depressive going from the highs of exploring the Cork countryside in-depth and discovering a hideaway pub, to the lows of not being able to fit in and the fear of crime. A lot of the time Monagan looks down his nose at the modern Ireland replacing the picture book old Ireland. At times he approaches the France Mayes level of self-unawareness as he preaches how Ireland should after only being there a few weeks. Monagan's writing is not very lively nor amusing, and I have to say I was disappointed with this book overall despite the critical acclaim. ( )