1. Island of Fantasy - A Memoir of an English Teacher in Korea (Only $7.96!)


.....


"In the book, we get the uproariously funny and sometimes painfully realistic details of the author's exploits upon arriving on Koje-do, a small island off Pusan, for a 12-month teaching stint." --The Korea Times


"This is an easy book to recommend: a thoughtful, thorough memoir by a writer with a subtle sense of humor and an easygoing way of expressing himself, filled with interesting characters, amusing anecdotes and some enlightening information on both Korea and on how ESL programs tend to work. It's a lot of fun." -- Trenchman.com


Synopsis:

In this memoir, the author says goodbye to a mundane existence in America and, given a free air ticket and an apartment, ventures to teach English on a remote island off the coast of South Korea. Dubbed the Island of Fantasy, Koje-do is a mixture of charm and peaceful beauty, but in its city center sits Wonder School - a place of frantic chaos and disorganization. Treated like an English speaking slave by the school's owners, Shawn Matthews struggles to teach students unlike anything his unscrupulous (yet amusing) recruiter had depicted. Outside the job he meets a cast of memorable characters including the mysterious Choi and two-timing Natasha. (189 pages)


To read a sample click here. (Requires Adobe Reader)


To read a sample in Korean click here. (new!) (MS Word Format)





Limited time sale price: $7.96. Simply enter the code: IOF20 in the checkout cart coupon box. Shipping in Korea is free. International shipping is just $4.95. All books will be signed unless otherwise requested.





Also available in America from Lulu.com for $10.98:





To order in Korea by cash machine/bank transfer:

Island of Fantasy
1 copy: 10,000 won.
2 copies: 16,000 won.

You can transfer money at any ATM in Korea or by asking a bank teller.

Name: Shawn Matthews
Transfer Number: 462-910069-49207
Bank Name: Hana Bank


If you order by bank transfer, please send an e-mail to kojebook@gmail.com to let me know your address and I'll ship it out the next morning.


Order through your bank account or credit card using Paypal:


*(new!) You can now order through Paypal without having a Paypal account. Just click on the button below and follow the instructions.


Paypal price:


Island of Fantasy
$7.96 USD Free shipping in Korea. $4.95 shipping international. Add $3 more shipping for each additional copy.

written by Shawn - posted @ 5:55 AM

Korea Life Blog - Island of Fantasy Reviews


1. Trenchman.com review.

(Trenchman received a the first edition and the problems they refer to have since been fixed)

2. The Korea Times

3. The Rathbone Press

4. Your review here? Please send a link to your review to kojebook@gmail.com.


Other Reviews:


Welcome... to Fantasy Island!

I received my copy of Shawn Matthews's Meisterwerk, Island of Fantasy, today. When I opened the package, the book was wrapped in simple brown paper with an earnest "Thank you!" noted thereupon. It's even been autographed (and dated, no less).

I've been reading and enjoying Island of Fantasy since I started it this afternoon. Shawn has a great ear for Korean-vs.-expat dialogue: even when the exchanges appear a bit cartoonish, they ring true. Any Western expat who's been in Korea longer than a few months will know exactly what Shawn's talking about.

To his credit, Shawn makes an effort to view his experiences positively; his reminiscences are seen through a filter of good humor. Shawn's a clear writer; his prose is unpretentious and moves the story along nicely. I'm already about halfway through the book, but know enough to recommend it-- highly-- to those of you who haven't purchased a copy yet. Do Shawn a favor and shower him with filthy lucre. He's written a terrific story and deserves your attention.

(You expat teachers in Japan will probably relate to this book, too.)

review written by Kevin Kim


Jeromy Lukenbaugh Thu, 20 Jan 2005 04:09:04 -0600
Wow, I got home and my roommate said I had a package from korea. I just put the book down after finishing it. Tell you what, I lived up north in Tongduchon while I was in the army. Your book brought back so many smells,tastes and memories it almost made me cry. I can remember feeling so lost while out on my own, that when I actually did see another American, it was like we just found each other after a long journey.


Hahahah by Jason Henson
Fri 17 Sep 12:47 pm EDT 2004
I almost cracked a rib during the final scene. I won't give the part away here, but that was hilarious. A very good book and a pleasure to read. Great!



I love this book by Lisa Kim
Fri 17 Sep 3:33 am EDT 2004
I just finished it myself and really enjoyed it. The book itself looks really nice and I just couldn't stop reading~! Very funny from start to finish. I hope the author writes another book.



Seriously by John Wojtasinski
Fri 17 Sep 3:03 am EDT 2004
Island of Fantasy is an excellent, easy read of the trials and tribulations faced by Shawn Matthews as he embarks on his journey in Koje-do. This book exemplifies the lighter side if being a stranger in a strange land with witty humor and great tenacity. Island of Fantasy displays how the little things in life can often bring humor and happiness into our otherwise mundane lives. I recommend this book to all.



Just as Good as I Remembered by Stephanie Windham
Wed 15 Sep 1:48 pm EDT 2004 last modified on Wed 15 Sep 1:50 pm EDT 2004
I first read the Koje-Do stories on his blog, and consequently became a big fan. The interactions he describes between himself and his mother, grandfather, and the various Korean locals are priceless, and will make you laugh out loud. In addition to the humor, there is a sweetness and wonder to the author's point of view that makes you come to care for him and wish for his success. He's just an average-joe american guy, who happens to undergo a transformative experience by immersing himself in another culture. He becomes a better person for it, and I think we become better also reading about his experience.



Island of Fantasy - Compelling by trthornton
Tue 14 Sep 9:27 am EDT 2004 last modified on Tue 14 Sep 9:31 am EDT 2004
If you were dissatisfied with your life, would you answer an ad for mail-order English teachers in Asia and put yourself in the hands of strangers? Well, Shawn Matthews did! He writes with great presence. I couldn't put the book down as I suffered and laughed with him to the end. Now I'm hooked and waiting for the sequel.



Awesome Book! by Chris Garson
Sun 12 Sep 4:22 pm EDT 2004
The description describes the book perfectly. This book has been one of the best books I've read in a while. Shawn accuratly describes his experiances to the point where I can play a video of it in my head. Not only is the book VERY funny, but you'll want to jump in there and help him out at various points. Good job!

written by Shawn - posted @ 9:29 PM