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A R Lowe
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Spanish Journals - The Posthumous Diary of an Expat: Part One - Integration Kindle Edition

by A R Lowe (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 310 ratings
SPANISH JOURNALS - THE POSTHUMOUS DIARY OF AN EXPAT is a hilarious blow by blow account of six unforgettable months in the life of an expatriate Englishman.

Ernest Postlethwaite was a man embarking on a new life. No longer for him the routine and drudgery of the commuter. The first part of his groundbreaking journal charters the course of a man on a mission to achieve cultural and linguistic integration in a small village in southern Spain. This unadulterated manuscript will bring tears to the eyes of the most hard-hearted among us, as we follow his footsteps into the great unknown.

'This diary, written by my late husband Ernest Postlethwaite, has been published expressly against his wishes, but with the full and hearty endorsement of my family and friends.' - From the introduction by Pamela Postlethwaite.
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  1. Book 1 of 5
    Spanish Journals
  2. Print length
    165 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    14 Jan. 2014
  6. File size
    1.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 5 books in this series.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00AGXT6JW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Postlethwaite Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 14 Jan. 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.7 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 165 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 5 ‏ : ‎ Spanish Journals
  • Customer reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 310 ratings

About the author

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A R Lowe

A R Lowe

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A.R.Lowe was born in Lancashire in 1966.

Connect with him on Twitter: @Andylowe66

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
310 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book very amusing, laughing on every page, and appreciate its interesting anecdotes and well-developed characters. Moreover, they value the book's insight, with one customer noting how it brings the author down to earth. However, the humor receives mixed reactions, with one customer mentioning it's only funny for people of a certain age.

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47 customers mention ‘Amusing read’47 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very amusing, laughing on every page.

"...These diaries are funny, with a host of comic characters that generally grow funnier as you get to understand them...." Read more

"Quite a funny book, of expat life in Spain, but a short book there are 2 more volumes to this fictitious 1 year diary" Read more

"Just wizzed through it loving the characters, laughing at them and with them. Walking in Brenda's shoes, what a great wife she is to this silly man...." Read more

"Very amusing read. The first thing I did after finishing it was follow the link and buying parts 2 & 3...." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Pacing’10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing, finding it interesting with amusing anecdotes, and one customer describes it as a very well observed story of Spanish expat life.

"...As an ex-pat myself I can see the whole nine yards, it is so truthfull. Well done" Read more

"...an expat living in Spain and can identify with lots of the amusing cultural anecdotes, and I love the character Ernest, who has a Partridgesque hint..." Read more

"The is a very well observed story re-told tongue in cheek. What let's it down is the length...." Read more

"A well written, amusing book - not sure if it's based on actual experiences or just a tongue in cheek account of someone's thoughts on Spanish life..." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Character development’4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book.

"...These diaries are funny, with a host of comic characters that generally grow funnier as you get to understand them...." Read more

"Just wizzed through it loving the characters, laughing at them and with them. Walking in Brenda's shoes, what a great wife she is to this silly man...." Read more

"...identify with lots of the amusing cultural anecdotes, and I love the character Ernest, who has a Partridgesque hint of lack of self awareness about..." Read more

"Ernest Postlethwaite is a wonderful character, battling against all the odds not to become a 'typical expat'...." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Insight’4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insights, with one noting how it brings the author down to earth.

"...She brings him down to earth. I loved her snappy comebacks to him. The " coffin car " episode made me laugh out loud...." Read more

"...of someone's thoughts on Spanish life - but whichever, it kept my attention and made me smile." Read more

"A good insight onto an expat forfilling his dream about going native in Spain...." Read more

"Loved the way his mind worked,so funny.also reading about the neighbors I could picture them in my mind.He did so want to be a farmer." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Humor’0 positive3 negative

Customers find the book's humor unappealing, with one noting it's only entertaining for people of a certain age.

"...But it's really a one-joke book, with nothing new to say for itself, alas. I got it for free, so at least didn't waste my hard earned cash." Read more

"funny for people of a certain age!" Read more

"Very dry and funny..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • margaret
    5.0 out of 5 stars Worth a read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 March 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I started this book thinking, what a cantankerous old git. Then I started to think he's doing this on purpose to be different than all the other authors and when I got into that mindset I started enjoying it.
    If you think about it, he's made his beloved Pamela the star of the show. She brings him down to earth. I loved her snappy comebacks to him. The " coffin car " episode made me laugh out loud. She out manouvered him at so cleverly lots of times.
    Anyway I enjoyed reading it eventually. In fact so much that I have downloaded the next one. I've just got to find out if Pamela got her central heating lol. I don't doubt it really but you never know.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Stewart Muir
    4.0 out of 5 stars Review for Parts 1-3
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 March 2014
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    The thought of reading ex-pat diary entries may appear boring & repetitive, ... but in fact it is none of these. There is not really a plot as such, as this would make the diary less believable. So instead there are themes/ threads that evolve like in real life. These threads are rarely put to bed, so they build up from one book to another.
    These diaries are funny, with a host of comic characters that generally grow funnier as you get to understand them. The main character, Ernest Postlethwaite, I feel sorry for, made more intense by the fact we know that he dies prematurely, and his wife publishes his work. He tries so hard, and yet progress is so slow ... does that sound familiar? Amongst other themes, is his strife for a 'Good Life' (remember Richard Briers & Felicity Kendal?) But this lifestyle is far from what his wife Pamela had in mind when they moved to Spain. Pamela is as sharp as a knife ... but how does he meet his early death?
    This work has been written by someone who knows about ex-pat life in Spain, and readers who are themselves in this position will be able to relate to many of the episodes in Ernest's Spanish life. All 3 parts are recommended reads.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Stevo
    3.0 out of 5 stars Entreating
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 October 2021
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    Quite a funny book, of expat life in Spain, but a short book there are 2 more volumes to this fictitious 1 year diary
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  • J. R. Saunders
    5.0 out of 5 stars what a great wife she is to this silly man
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 July 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Just wizzed through it loving the characters, laughing at them and with them. Walking in Brenda's shoes, what a great wife she is to this silly man. As an ex-pat myself I can see the whole nine yards, it is so truthfull. Well done
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mr G R Collins
    4.0 out of 5 stars This book is a bargain!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 May 2014
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    Very amusing read. The first thing I did after finishing it was follow the link and buying parts 2 & 3. I'm an expat living in Spain and can identify with lots of the amusing cultural anecdotes, and I love the character Ernest, who has a Partridgesque hint of lack of self awareness about him. I don't think you need to be an expat to enjoy this book though.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Books R Best
    5.0 out of 5 stars BRILLIANT READ
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 November 2014
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    I loved this book, though I was very cross when I got to the end and found out there were another three books to buy and I shall get all of them, if only to find out how the author kills this idiot off. I just wanted to read on and on and on. There is a laugh on every page and the basic idea is very clever, as this more British than British Ex-pat works so hard to become something he is not and never will be. Yes, I've met them here in Spain, but now we really know what goes on inside their heads. A great read and highly recommended I shall be passing on the message to friends. Oh, I don't often give 5 stars either!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ann
    4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 October 2013
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    I recommend the journal as a very entertaining look at the ex-pat community in Spain and the endeavours of one man, Ernest, to distance himself from them and integrate into the Spanish way of life. It's difficult to single out any particular part of the journal but I loved his resolve to speak Spanish on the golf course with a Spaniard who was equally resolved to practice his English. The pitfalls of incorrect pronunciation are also highly amusing. I look forward to reading Part 11!!
    One person found this helpful
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  • DriverJohn
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as I had hoped
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 May 2014
    Verified Purchase
    How far can you carry one joke? We have all met an Ernest, indeed he may well be part of us in some way, but I had hoped for something that leaned towards the gentle, but sharply observed, stories of Peter Mayle and this comes nowhere near.

    The concept behind our hero quickly wore thin for me, but I finished the book in the hopes that it might improve. Sadly it didn't and I doubt that I will bother with either of the other two volumes, although there are so many loose ends in volume one that a part of me would like to know how they are resolved.

    I have given it three stars because it isn't an awful book by any means; it just didn't work for me.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • JH
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!
    Reviewed in the United States on 9 December 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I was halfway through this book which takes the form of a diary of an archetypal older Englishman relocating to Spain before I realised it was a fictional diary. Brilliant writing and such great characterisation both of the diarist and of the people he meets in his new village. Bought the second in the series immediately. We have lived in Spain for 13 years and I recognised so many 'types' this book is enormous fun.
    For the edification of one reviewer who gave this book a low rating due to it finishing abruptly I suggest he/she may have been unfair as it is part of a series!
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  • Jean Williams
    5.0 out of 5 stars SPANISH JOURNALS- The Posthumous Diary of an Ex-Pat
    Reviewed in Spain on 20 June 2016
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    This such fun. If you've moved to Spain from the UK you will surely have come across a person who could have written this journal. Earnest Postlelthwaite is so atypical of the famous, bungling Colonel Blimp. The "I intend to integrate" blinkered visionery. Pompous. Arrogant. Foolish. Bewildered. His journal keep me chuckling. His lovely wife, befriending Spanish an Ex-pats, rolling seamlessly into her new life in Spain. Wonder if there are more "JOURNALS"
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  • teapotmonk
    4.0 out of 5 stars Recognise Anyone?
    Reviewed in Spain on 11 October 2014
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    It's difficult to find a book about Living in Spain these days that is discernibly different from the tired and predictable formulae that almost every expat account follows. Unless of course were someone to write a parody, so poignant that there - recognisably wandering the streets of that town - we identify our very selves. Andy Lowe has managed this by holding up a mirror, and in so doing exposed that dubious search for the dream-life, that search for those crushed lemons underfoot, that donkey sanctuary or reformed country house named "integración." How many will recognise themselves in this book, few I suspect. Perhaps that is not the purpose, but iat least it offers an alternative taste in what otherwise is rather a dry and bland genre.
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  • Wanda Krall
    4.0 out of 5 stars lots of laughs
    Reviewed in the United States on 19 April 2013
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    this book contains loads of cultural insights and kept me laughing constantly - great read for anyone thinking about moving to Spain
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  • JAROUS
    3.0 out of 5 stars ... to read with interest but later on I got bored and couldn't finish the book and had to put ...
    Reviewed in the United States on 7 October 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I started to read with interest but later on I got bored and couldn't finish the book and had to put it away. It was somehow getting more and more the same all over. Sorry.
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