Official Review: Americano Abroad by Dominic Carrillo

[L_Therese]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Americano Abroad" by Dominic Carrillo.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Travel, especially when living in a different setting for an extended length of time, is a compilation of small adventures. With each new day, the traveller discovers something for the first time or experiences something in a different way. Ordinary happenings are extraordinary for a time, and when the traveller adjusts to the host culture, a visit back to home reverses this strangeness. Because travel can be so mind-bendingly awesome in this way, it is often nearly impossible to discuss it with others who have not taken part. Anyone with experience travelling and then returning home knows that most people who inquire about the experience only want a quip. Summarize your trip in seven words or less.

This is the value of Dominic Carillo’s book Americano Abroad. By means of a series of vignettes, Mr. Carillo shares his experiences and adventures while living and travelling in Italy, Nigeria, Spain, Bulgaria, and a few other places. In each chapter, he shows only a small glimpse of his life at the time. Whether it is the life of a struggling English teacher, a savvy tourist, or a man completely out of his element, each segment shows a small part of Mr. Carillo’s story.

Americano Abroad is very amusing. It is riddled with wit, situational humor, and self-deprecating humor. Mr. Carillo is not above making light of his own mistakes and cross-cultural blunders. He writes with a light-heartedness that summons smiles and keeps pages turning. At the same time, there is a serious element to Mr. Carillo’s telling of his adventures. He includes the stories of lessons he learned, people he met, and some experiences that carried deep meaning for him. Americano Abroad is fun, but it is much more than just clever games.

There are many people in the world fortunate enough to have had opportunity to travel. Those who fall into that category will enjoy reading this account of another traveller’s adventure. Many of the author’s experiences will feel familiar to anyone who has travelled before or lived in another culture. There are also many people who have never had the chance to explore another country or culture. For those people, this book may be an appealing surrogate. They will be allowed to share in Mr. Carillo’s adventures - the ups, the downs, and the experiences along the way. Regardless of whether or not a person has actually travelled, this book will certainly be enjoyable for anyone who has ever entertained the notion of travel or living abroad.

I rate Dominic Carillo’s Americano Abroad 4 out of 4 stars. It was entertaining as well as meaningful and even a little bit educational. While learning about travel and the places the author visited, the reader also enjoys the trip.

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Americano Abroad
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Like L_Therese's review? Post a comment saying so!

[1domcarrillo]

Thanks for the nice review! Glad you liked it. -Dominic

[Ramona]

Great review. I enjoyed reading it and I would enjoy reading the book. It sounds wonderful! I traveled to Europe once, but most of my travels have been within the eastern U.S. and Canada. So I've actually traveled a little, but most of the time, I'm an armchair traveler!

[charysma_lilly]

Sounds like an interesting book! Great review as well

[Cee-Jay Aurinko]

I wouldn't mind escaping to some of the places mentioned in this review - especially Italy, although I've read about a lot before. You did an amazing job with this review L_therese.

[bluemel4]

Well-written and interesting review. I traveled a lot when I was younger. This book sounds like a great read.

[bookowlie]

Nice, insightful review! I always like reading about people's travels, whether inside or outside the U.S. I've been to Italy so it would be a particular treat to read about someone else's experiences.