Linda Murphy Marshall’s Immersion presents a riveting story about a linguist and her perilous and exciting career assignments in various countries. Despite growing up in a family that frowned upon a woman having a career away from home, Linda found herself exploring the opportunities that came with knowing multiple languages.
Though she got to experience various cultures and meet many amazing people, she also had close calls and scarring encounters with violence in various countries, including South Africa a few months after apartheid ended and Zambia during one of the worst riots in its history in 1990. Linda’s close calls offer a chilling reminder of the brevity of life and the importance of peace.
Follow Linda as she reflects deeply on the lessons she gained from witnessing violent conflict, disheartening poverty, culture shocks, and notable historical moments in this unforgettable memoir.
I’ve only read a few nonfiction books that got my heart racing and had me completely engrossed, like Immersion. Imagine traveling to Kenya following a deadly terrorist bombing by al-Qaeda and accompanying a US president to Tanzania. Linda has engaged in many high-risk missions that will make even the bravest men shudder with fear.
As she narrates her work experiences, Linda also sheds light on her moments of transformation and the woman she was becoming along the way. Additionally, the generous essays about the author’s personal challenges, such as her experience with divorce, her family’s lack of support for her important choices, and her feelings of anxiety due to missing her children, highlight the cost of her career choices. Throughout the story, we get to follow an intriguing balance of awe-inspiring work assignments and thought-provoking personal struggles.
The book’s smart portrayal of historical and cultural themes adds to its rich, nuanced layers. History fans will appreciate the privilege to join the author in her journey to Pretoria, South Africa, six months after the abolition of apartheid and her observation of the “rounded, rising gables with whitewashed walls” that the Dutch left behind. Also, the book combines tales about experiences in different countries, including Zambia, Brazil, Spain, South Africa, Kenya, the DRC, and Tanzania.
Linda has created a memoir that’s captivating in different ways. It’s a deep portrayal of the importance and challenges of a linguistic career. Furthermore, it provokes thoughts and questions about family values and sexism. History fans and travel enthusiasts are in for a treat with this highly descriptive journey to the past. Lastly, the raw, evocative essays will tug at your heartstrings and keep you emotionally committed throughout. This perfect mix of attractive writing elements offers a truly memorable experience.