Autobiography
Find this ebook at your favourite retailer below:
By the age of eight Carrie Evans had lived in eight different places in the UK. The various schools she attended were not always happy places and some of her teachers, if not actually psychotic, verged on the unstable and sadistic. Although it came as no surprise to those who knew her that she later chose a peripatetic lifestyle, it did puzzle some when she chose to make her living by peddling the present perfect in overseas language schools.
Beginning in the sultry, restrictive atmosphere of the Arabian desert in the UAE, Carrie bites the bullet to take advantage of a teaching job with a decent salary for once – but a despotic boss. Valiantly focussing on the positive aspects of her life there, she casts her mind back to happier days of childhood and candidly recalls her development as a language teacher. She reminisces about the places and people she met along the way, pondering her sojourns in far-flung corners of the globe.
A thoroughly enjoyable read that romps along from continent to continent, this beautifully written memoir is akin to an enormous postcard from the jaunt of a life. The Fun We Had is a tsunami of incident, gossip, and character vignettes, an exploration of other cultures sure to entertain anyone with a fascination for human quirks and foibles.
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
A Captivating Celebration of Humanity The Fun We Had by Carrie Evans is a delightful blend of humor, heart, and cultural exploration. Through vivid character sketches and sharp storytelling, Evans captures the complexities of human relationships and the joy of shared experiences. The book is both entertaining and thought-provoking, offering universal insights wrapped in witty, accessible prose. A must-read for anyone who loves rich, character-driven stories that celebrate the quirks and beauty of humanity.
There are very few books you read nowadays that paint such vivid lived experiences encompassing all five senses. This is one of those rare gems. I could see Carrie’s memoir making a very entertaining film.
From the very start right to the end, I found this an enjoyable, educational and easy read, written in such good style with excellent descriptive passages of the places where the author taught and of the students, fellow teachers and other people that she met - even the food she ate. I was sorry to have come to the end but am about to start reading it again. Such a unique journey, so many countries over such a long time.
This is a very compelling memoir. A peek behind the EFL curtain. The author has a gift for writing long, flowing, graceful, funny, moving, entertaining sentences. I read it with a big smile.
Having been firm friends in our student days and beyond we have had many adventures, both challenging and enlightening. Carrie used to regularly send postcards from wherever she had settled, be it Greece, Paris or Thailand. It was always fascinating and somewhat awe inspiring to hear of places such as Koh Samui or riots in South America. I am impressed with “The Fun We Had”. Carrie is an optimistic and positive person, but she is brutally honest about her teaching experiences, particularly the stresses and strains of working in the U.A.E. Her time in Crete at the beginning of her teaching career describing the cheeky boys climbing out of windows reminded me of my own time training as a secondary school teacher. The book is an effective combination of the serious and fun with an insight into the profession of teaching English abroad. The “Fun We Had” is a must read for prospective TEFL teachers. It is entertaining and colourful and an insight into other cultures too. I thoroughly recommend it as a good read for anyone interested in travel, teaching or indeed an alternative to the conventions of life.
