Notes from Exile

by T.M. Spooner

Notes from Exile is an expat novel following three Americans and a Brit, a Falklands War vet. Along the way the novel pays homage to expats who spent time in Mexico, including writers Malcolm Lowry and D. H. Lawrence.

Notes from Exile is a skillfully crafted novel. A blend of humor and drama thread this tale, concluding in what can best be described as a haunting modern tragedy.
Mexico has long been a land of enchantment and mystery, a place where more than one foreigner has sought refuge, fleeing real or imagined demons. In a quaint village along the shores of Lake Chapala, two recent college graduates join two men living in self-imposed exile. One, a journalist and jaded philosopher is escaping an inherited family destiny; the other, a British combat veteran is fleeing what many viewed an unnecessary war. Notes from Exile is a venerable creation, containing humor, love, and sorrow - each in their own time and measure, all ingredients for a story of escape and hope.

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2006

About the author

T. M. (Todd) Spooner is the author of novels The Salvation of La Purisima and Notes from Exile. Among others, his short fiction has appeared in The Almagre Review, Latin American Literary Review, and Flying Island Journal as the recipient of the 2022 Short Fiction prize. His essays have appeared in Studies in American Naturalism and Hispanic Journal. Spooner received an M.A. in English Literature from Northern Arizona University and a B.S. in economics from Northern Illinois University.

Reviews

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have exiled myself before and this book is a great story of what it is like to live in that manner. T.M. Spooner really creates a portrait with is words, that is somewhat falling short because at times you can really feel the emotions that the characters are going through and the impact that they cause on each other. I am not saying that it is an "emotional" book, just that it is written well with great word choice.

I started this book right before going back to my college classes, so it took me a while to find the time to finish, I was able to maintain what was happening throughout the breaks and if any has done this with other novels, then you know sometimes if a book doesn't have that certain quality to it it is hard to pick back up.

This book is great and rich in culture and detail. Set in Mexico, not tourist Mexico, I felt as though I was there and I have never experienced non-tourist Mexico. I recommend this book to any who feel like taking a trip through a good story.

I would like to thank goodreads and T.M. Spooner for the opportunity to read this book.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book by a talented writer.

The words were so vivid it felt like I was smack dab in the middle of the Mexican dry lands. The story of each character was both thought-provoking and easy to follow.