A Novel about Life in Taipei during SARS

‘Whoever said “Not all who wander are lost,” must have been speaking of a tiny sliver of humanity.  Most of the travel and expat writers I have encountered are seekers of some kind, and Gits Ferrari is no exception. His wicked humor and personal views toward Taiwan culture are original.  

Gits Ferrari is like a gonzo Adam Gopnik.  I think the title of this book is deceptive, as it led me to expect the diary of debauched western escapist.  Actually, I found Ferrari’s memoir less kinky even than some of Paul Theroux and Pico Iyer.   

This is a very relatable story.  Lost and trapped in the “World Is Flat” generation, life in the U.S. fits Gits Ferrari like a suit two sizes too small. I have the sense, however, that you could drop him anywhere else in the world and he would survive just fine.  

He sets off to make a life for himself in Taiwan on the cusp of Sars, 911, and the globalization revolution.  His diary of life in Asia includes some very perceptive social commentary on life as an American among both other international expatriates and local Taiwanese.   

His descriptions of socializing, teaching English and working on the cusp of Sars, 911, and the globalization revolution, make this book a must-read for anyone considering Asia, as well as armchair expatriates like myself, who only dream of escape.   

I hope we’ll be hearing from him again soon!’