Expat: Women’s True Tales of Life Abroad
Christina Henry de Tessan

Expat Review by Jill Lengré:
Jill is American. She has lived in Paris, France and now lives in Mexico City, Mexico. Jill is a co-founder of ExpatWomen.com

Christina Henry de Tessan's book is a collection of first person stories, from women who have lived all around the world.  I found myself unsuspectingly traveling to far away places with these women.  As an expatriate woman and mother myself, I laughed often in recognition with many of the stories that I read.  I especially enjoyed the story, A Mediterranean Thanks giving, Take Two by Mandy Dowd.  I too have experienced my French friends’ hesitation regarding Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie.

This book is a wonderful testimony of how these women, who went abroad for a variety of reasons, immersed themselves in different cultures, overcame fear and shyness, conquered the language barrier and created a "home" for themselves and their families.  Each woman, whether she decided to live out her life in her adopted country or return home, was forever changed with a broader vision of the world that she thought she knew – something that you cannot never truly understand nor feel until you have lived as an expat women yourself..

In conclusion, whether you are about to move abroad for the first time, or if you are a seasoned expatriate, this book is a wonderful way to live through the experiences of other expat women and learn something new about cultures that you have never lived in.  It is a great bed time story book, as the stories are only four to five pages each in length, and well worth the read.