Product Description

After a decade of living in Germany, a chaotic British family makes a New Year's resolution to throw themselves wholeheartedly into the local culture. The process is complicated as the mother is founding a business with a German partner who is convinced that all Brits are both dysfunctional and poorly nourished. The year sees them bumbling through local festivals, getting into scrapes with authorities, and falling foul of the law, all aided and abetted by their eccentric neighbours and posse of cats. This book exposes the crazier side of both British and German culture, examines profound mysteries such as German fortune telling and sauna etiquette, and explains why dachshund owners are the most dangerous people on the planet.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #136684 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 296 pages

Customer Reviews

great little book
A chaotic but likeable English family take us for a warm and amusing peek at German culture. I say amusing, actually what I mean is hilariously funny, but whats nice is you never really feel the 'joke is on the germans' if you know what i mean. Highly reccommended

Wake up and smell the glühwein!
From the very first page of Planet Germany to the very last (and I read it in 2 days, annoyed by the interruptions of daily routine!) I was transported into that rambling farmhouse in Meerbusch, sitting around the kitchen table or the pigsty-turned-office, catching whiffs of coffee, beer, cat poop or all three, chatting with the motley crew of neighbours, admiring the rambling grape vine outside, and laughing my head off. Cathy Dobson's vividly visual writing style has that magical ability to make the reader part of the story so you giggle, belly-laugh, cry or rant in tune with all that befalls the characters. I thoroughly recommend Planet Germany as one of the funniest and most heart-warming stories I have read in a long, long time; whether you have a connection with Germany or not, this book is an utter delight.

Welcome light relief!
In a world full of books which are serious, boring or where the author takes themselves far too seriously, "Planet Germany" was very welcome light relief. Easy to read, entertaining, engaging, and light-heartedly self-deprecating. I feel as if I have accompanied the author on all her escapades, met her family and neighbours (and cats) and lived in her house.

I enjoyed the book so much I bought copies for my mother and my friend - it seemed selfish to keep all of that laughter to myself.

I suspect the book is aimed at people who are ex-pats and can relate to moving to a different culture, or maybe people who are contemplating doing so. However, it makes a fantastic read even if you don't fall into either category.

If you want a few hours escape into a family that may well make your own seem rather dull, this is the book for you. Highly recommended.