One for the Road: Ingrid Anders' "Earth to Kat Vespucci"

by Catherine Bodry (RSS feed) on Mar 31st 2010 at 9:30AM

You probably already know that there is a margarita cocktail and a margherita pizza. But before I studied abroad in Europe, I had no idea that ordering myself a salty, limey, tequila-y beverage might actually yield a plate-sized cheesy, doughy meal. Call me an ignorant American; I don't deny that I was (and still often am) one.

Ingrid Anders understands, and in her debut novel "Earth to Kat Vespucci" (iUniverse), Anders' title character makes all the mistakes in the book (except for the margarita mix-up) on her first trip abroad. Kat Vespucci is a senior at Rutgers University when she runs from heartbreak by signing up for a year abroad in Berlin, Germany. The school year marks her first time abroad, and the mishaps start as soon as Kat leaves the airport and attempts to buy a pass for the train: Kat is confronted by not only the different ways in which transport operates outside the US (you mean you buy a ticket, but no one checks it?), but also an often-befuddling European bureaucracy.

Other topics Anders covers include such light-hearted ones as water-saving showers, country-wide Sunday store closures, sexual freedom (yes, fellow Americans, we are just a little bit repressed), the difference between pepperoni and peperoni, and many European males' lack of macho-ness (is her roommate gay? A metrosexual? Or simply European?).

But there's also the stereotypical stuff that often gives Americans abroad a bad name -- our lack of geographical knowledge (at her first school dinner, Kat hides a map of Europe on her lap under the table in order to place where all her European classmates are from), our lack of political and historical knowledge of anything outside our own country, and often a lack of knowledge regarding America's role in world politics -- and the way the rest of the world views us.

The book is in no way anti-American, and I don't want to give that impression at all. Rather, Anders skillfully and humorously navigates a sheltered young woman's eye-opening experience abroad. Fortunately., Europe is a tame introduction to the "rest" of the world, and Kat is a curious and intelligent explorer. Anyone who took their first trip abroad as an adult will likely identify with many of her bumblings, and with this character, Anders shows herself to be a promising new novelist.

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Europe, North America, Germany, Books, One for the Road

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Catherine Bodry, Gadling.com

"'Earth to Kat Vespucci', the first novel from young author Ingrid Anders, is an entertaining and wistful look at one young womans coming of age in a post-cold war world where a generation struggles to find meaning on its own terms. Set appropriately enough against the backdrop of modern Berlin, Anders fashions a story that smartly balances culture clash (a shower which comically spurts water in six second intervals, and a Cabaret singing sex-changing transvestite both figure prominently) with sharp narrative creating a Europe that hasn't been this much fun for Americans since John Irving's 'The Hotel New Hampshire'. Spasiba Kat!"

Mike McCormack

"A stand-out first novel. For me, about full participation in the act of living; abundant with sharp satisfying humour, keen observation, and -- in E.E. Cummings' famous phrase -- 'that precision which creates movement.'"

Paul Davies

"Ingrid Anders is an author with a great future and in her first book "Earth to Kat Vespucci," she has created a winner that is not only entertaining and funny but also highly educational for Americans who have not ventured outside of the United States. Not only is she an excellent story-teller but her humor is contagious; both my husband and I chuckled loudly throughout reading the book in record time. Having been a "tumbleweed" myself in my younger years and being of German birth, I can identify totally with her experiences. The joys of being young, unencumbered and adventurous with boundless energy brought me back to a period in my life in the 1960s, thus I am exceedingly happy to learn this part of youth is still being enjoyed. The humble accommodation in the Plattenbau of former East Germany, the student hang-outs, the shower episodes and the flasher - they all resonate and she finds the perfect words to describe Kat's feelings and reactions to any and all of the adventures she encounters. BRAVO - I can't wait for Kat Vespucci's next adventures. Somehow I feel there is a lot more coming from this writer in the future. Her credentials are most impressive and I shall follow her path with great anticipation in this venue expressing one of her many talents - GO FOR IT KAT.................."

Inge Perreault

"Anybody who has studied abroad or is thinking about studying abroad must read this book. With a style and wit that kept me both laughing and thinking, the author forces the reader to consider the world through different perspectives as Kat becomes increasingly aware of both the size of the world and her place in it. Twisted into Kat's growing awareness of the world outside of New Jersey, is an insightful depiction of the impacts of love, rejection and hope on all who are working to weave their way through the complicated life choices facing all college students. Finally, for all who are interested in travel, this book will surely fuel your fire to explore Germany and revitalize that itch to get out the door and see a new country. Great book by a new author, finishing it made me want to book a flight immediately and left me looking forward to Kat's next adventure."

Darth Reader

"This book is a must-read for anyone who has studied or lived abroad, or even just visited Berlin, who will inevitably recognize Kat's mixed feelings as she goes through the ups and downs of adjusting to a new culture. That said, any reader will enjoy Anders' wry sense of humor. You will inevitably find yourself chuckling as she gently skewers both European and American foibles."

A. Earley

"From the very first pages, this coming-of-age tale is engaging and adventuresome. The character goes through a variety of experiences which open her eyes to the world beyond her own, ultimately yielding an understanding of self and the cultures that shape us throughout the world. Sprinkled with wit and comic situations, this is a fun and intelligent read for anyone interested in international affairs and other cultures."

Jonathan E. Wolfington

"The writer displays a wicked sense of humour. I could not help myself from laughing out loud, while reading. Her style of writing is very fluid which makes reading this book so very enjoyable. She does have a unique way of expressing herself. While poking fun at a European government, bureaucrats in general, and students on the loose she points out flaws in how this world works. Having visited Berlin myself, I have seen some of the places mentioned. I would highly recommend this book to adult readers and international travelers with a sense of humour."

Weltreise Sachse

"Well, the book was certainly worth the anticipation for me.  Laugh out loud?  Absolutely.  The traumatic "going away cake" was certainly the funniest for me, as I found myself laughing even after my second go at it.  And poor Kat...one can't help but sympathize with such a sweet, perhaps naive young lady.  I am already looking forward to the second novel from this worldly, yet impressively grounded author from New Jersey.  Yes New Jersey.  Thanks for all the insights and laughs Ms. Anders!"

Corey Dietrich

"Ms Anders has a knack for humorous expression, with an understanding of the mind set of the twenty-plus, post college age group. Her book had me cackling more than once. There is Word War Two history, German character idiosyncracies, American student naivette, and youth's take on the political structure of the western world. All in all, this is an entertaining and informative read."

Mr50s

"Earth to Kat Vespucci is the best book ever."

Ingrid Anders

Ashes Ashes

 

"Reading your short story Ashes Ashes gave me the chills. You put together a very moving story about events you were too young to have experienced yourself. It shows your ability to transform simple accounts into a vivid and moving story.   Thank you."

Regine I. Lombardo

"Ashes Ashes is a powerfully written short story about an innocent woman's life being slowly devoured by a fascist state. Human history at times, seems like little more than a roll call of atrocities, leading us to turn away from any attempt at greater understanding of our nature. A story like this makes us ask the harder questions about fear, hatred, and faith, even if the answers are not necessarily what we wish to hear. The past is prologue; thanks for having the courage to create something beautiful out of the 'ashes' of the twentieth century's worst hours. This is where hope is born!"

Mike McCormack

Poetry

 

"I really enjoyed Berlin, Ingrid - the enigmatic stranger, the history of the city, the throb of the club. Thank you :)"

Flo Anito

"Regarding your new poem \"Berlin\", I want to say that it seems as though there is a disconnect between the style of the first page and the style of the last two pages.  I much prefer the former. 

And while I'm on the subject, don't be afraid of white space.

I was schooled in the New Formalism style, i.e. if there is no need for a word, eliminate it altogether.  Like most writers who are more comfortable in the medium of prose, you have a tendency to overwrite at times.  Sometimes the most powerful images are those that you as the poet feel no need to completely flesh out, lest anyone miss the point altogether. 

The idea of showing versus telling is something that every poet should keep in mind, and if you should choose to revise this work, I recommend you apply it liberally. 

\"In this verse, am I TELLING the audience what I want them to see, or am I SHOWING them an image or a concept and letting them form their own conclusions from it?\"

If it were me, I would eliminate about half the text, then condense what you have left to its barest essentials.  Prune, prune, prune. 

You have the raw talent necessary, but in my humble opinion, resist the temptation to provide expository detail.  What would be considered vague in prose is absolutely essential to poetry.

I hope this helped!"

Kevin Camp

"Dear Ingrid Anders,

Thomas Hardy was a novelist who also wrote poetry and would receive letters recommending how he might write better poetry in some other style; to which he'd reply his disinclination to accept the coaching of another poet. A writer of lyric poetry thinks their approach so much more effective than that employed by narrative poets; a reader of haiku grows impatient with the writer of sonnets; some poets speak plainly and others are highly obscure; Patchen and Ginsberg rave like drunks; Bukowski assuredly a drunk; better (Hardy wrote) that they would argue about who is the greatest prizefighter instead. A poet can and should strive only with the voice natural to themselves. If that fails, as it evolves on the very long road of a body of work, so be it. Oh, one would well read G.M. Hopkins, say, to experience and learn how razor-sharp and evocative poetic language can truly be, or Cummings for his terse wry eye, or Dryden, or Milton, or a hundred others for their fine qualities -- but these things go in silence.

Sincerely,
Paul Davies"

Paul Davies