Chris Dowding lived a quiet, solitary life as an engineer in Brisbane that only began to change when he met his future wife Kerryn who, after their wedding, persuaded Chris to move to Ireland-to a new beginning. A Few Drops Short of a Pint is the hilarious account of Chris and Kerryn's Irish experience.
Capturing Chris's fascinations, frustrations and fears (did you know 58 percent of all motor accidents in Dublin occur during the day, in high visibility conditions with dry weather, on a straight road?) in his new surroundings, the story covers Irish lifestyle issues ranging from water heating to violent political factionalism.
While exploring Ireland, A Few Drops Short of a Pint is also a powerful story of self-exploration and discovery, showing that sometimes a change of circumstances is all the therapy we need. Jubilant and demoralised in equal measures, this is a story oozing with razor sharp (and often self-deprecating) wit that beautifully captures the experience of transplanting yourself into a foreign culture.
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Reviews
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'A few drops short of a pint' is a fun, enjoyable read describing living and travelling through Ireland. I visited Ireland last year, and although I went to different places than those described by Chris, his descriptions of the people, their antics and the culture is a perfect match for my experiences. For the seasoned Irish visitor and prospective traveller alike, or those that just enjoy a good read, Chris really does capture the spirit of this wonderful country and it's people.
Chris has written a book that evokes the humour and paradoxes of Ireland. With every page we are taken on the journey that faces everyone in a strange country of negotiating the peculiarities of language, transport, jobs and housing. The story is told with self effacing humour endearing the people & places to our hearts. A fabulous read!
Not only is this book written by my brother an interesting and funny account of his travels in Ireland - more to the point - it has ME in it! Woohooo I'm famous... (Note to self: tone down my narcissistic tendencies). In all seriousness though, I enjoyed 'a few Drops short of a Pint', because in many ways it reminded me of my time and travels in Ireland too. Ireland can be a frustrating place, that is for certain, but those are the kinds of things you get through and look back and enjoy in retrospect. This is what Chris has captured, an essentially personal journey (in many senses of the word) in a retrospective angle. I think, having been tested time again, his character has shone through in his writing. There is a truthfulness to Chris' book that you can admire, I highly recommend trying it and discovering everything in it on offer yourself.
I’d say that at least 50% of the books that I read are travel type books and I reckon that a few Drops short of a Pint compares with the best of any of the others that I have read. I know I am enjoying a book when l can’t put it down. It’s full of laughs and angst and I loved the Irish swearing – “fecking”, and the Scottish – “foocking”.
Chris Dowding is a natural story teller. His narrative is easy to read and entertaining. The book gives good observations of character, behaviour and local custom. Chris does not judge but describes accurately with economical language the many facets of the character of the Irish. He provides an interesting chronicle of the trials of any immigrant in a new and strange community who must find work, a place to live, and some sense of involvement in the new location.
The book chronicles Chris and Kerryn's time spent living and working in Ireland. It is one of the few books about the Emerald Isle that doesn't read like it was written by Ireland's national tourist board. It's an honest account of the good times and the bad... Peter Moore, author of 'Vroom with a View'
...while not avoiding the dark side of the Irish character, Chris also explores the humour. 'Gregory Stanton, weekender'
...a full bodied travel memoir that gives the reader a taste of Irish life and history. Jennifer Scott, 'Sunshine Coast Daily'
It's the sort of travel book you can read over a few beers. Linda Muller, 'The Redland Times'
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