Deb Kristina cheers FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MALARIA

eve coverAnd to think, I was once proud of myself for braving daddy longlegs in the outdoor pit toilets at Goose Lake State Forest Campground.

Then I read First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria and yeah, I don’t even know the meaning of “roughing it.”

Deb Eve Brown-Waite‘s memoir of meeting her St. John and her subsequent adventures overseas is rollicking and hilarious in the way David Sedaris is funny, because you find yourself laughing at things like, say, a hostage situation, which aren’t remotely funny. And yet, there you are, chuckling and shaking your head and kicking your spouse on the other end of the couch to say, “Hey, listen to THIS…”

Aside from being funny, this memoir makes our world smaller by bringing Ecuador and Uganda right into our living rooms, and I think that’s truly important these days when climate change and global threats to liberty and security are drawing us all together.

Most of us will never join the Peace Corps or take international jobs in developing countries, but through Eve’s story we can start to understand the people who do, why their work is important, and why we should care.

Thanks, Eve, for showing this pampered city slicker what real life is like for most of the rest of the world. In a time of recession when we’re having to give up luxuries like eating out, cable television, pricey vacations and new clothes, when people are losing their jobs and homes, your memoir is a critical reminder of just how fortunate we still are here in the “first world”.

Deb Kristina

p.s. Don’t forget! In celebration of Deb Eve’s launch, everyone who comments this week will automatically be entered to win (one entry per person, but you can comment as often as you like. Eve loves to read email. And we’re lonely.) At the end of the week one commenter will be chosen at random to win a signed copy of Eve’s book and a love note from the rest of us.

13 Replies to “Deb Kristina cheers FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MALARIA”

  1. Woot! for Eve! I was lucky enough to have received an advanced copy of First Comes Love Then Comes Malaria and loved it from start to finish. Having traveled a bit in Africa, I loved being taken back to that particular region of the world which somehow seems indescribable, but Eve did a fabulous job of capturing the joys and insanity of it in such a way that it had me yearning to return. Go, get this book. It’s a hoot!

  3. Kris – THANK YOU for such a lovely tribute! I am touched. And woo-hoo Jenny! Here we go!!!

    Speaking of hostage situations – our Easter dinner gathering erupted in happy tears and hoots upon learning the news that Capt. Philips was rescued. He grew up in Winchester, MA! They are pretty close family friends of the Waites! Now – that’s going to be some story and TRUST me on this – Richie Philips is going to get offered a million dollar book deal – pronto! Just might make Malaria seem like a walk in the park!

  7. Eve’s book is fantastic–and you did a great job describing why it’s so special, Kris.

    I think the captain will have to make his way into one of your future memoirs, Eve!

  9. Rebels? Yes. Pirates? No, Larramie. But St. John and I were discussing Capt. Phillips’ adventures over lunch and we can’t wait to hear the real story from him! And yes, I’d offer to ghost-write it for him!

    Thanks all for your enthusiastic launch of my launch week. It IS getting off to an adventurous start!

  10. Well the buzz in the blogosphere about First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria is that it is fantastic. Congratulations Eve, I think this one’s going to be a hit!

  12. I wandered over here from Devourer of Books as well and I must say this book sounds delightful. Personal, as much as I would love a love note from the rest of you, I would prefer to win the book…lol

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