Assessment:

Plot/Idea: When Treisman moves to Barcelona, Spain, to live in her new husband’s hometown, she isn’t sure what to expect—but she quickly learns there is a world of difference in her new setting. Her recollections conjure the excitement and muted anxiety of learning to thrive in an unfamiliar culture, and as Treisman takes readers through her daily experiences, they will be swept into her wistful remembrances and compelling experiences.

Prose: Treisman illuminates, in diary-like snippets, the important, humorous, and culturally significant situations that impact her thinking and life during her time in Spain. The prose is descriptive and expository, and readers will glean much information from Treisman's self-portrayal. 

Originality: Treisman is a testament to taking risks, and her decision to live in an unfamiliar culture is as daunting as it is inspiring. Her experiences catalogued throughout the memoir afford readers an inside look at learning to adjust to new settings, alongside the intense self-reflection and growth that comes with it.

Character/Execution: The book's linear structure captures everyday happenings that are sometimes humorous but often serious. Treisman considers a variety of aspects in her new life, from coffee to pets, and her delivery is both entertaining and meaningful. 

Date Submitted: October 06, 2023