First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria

By: Eve Brown Waite

Narrated by: Eileen Stevens

How a Peace Corps Poster Boy Won My Heart and a Third World Adventure Changed My Life

In this laugh-out-loud funny memoir, a pampered city girl falls head over little black heels in love with a Peace Corps poster boy and follows him literally to the ends of the earth.

Eve Brown always thought she would join the Peace Corps someday, although she secretly worried about life without sushi, frothy coffee drinks, and air conditioning. But with college diploma in hand, it was time to put up or shut up. So with some ambivalence she arrives at the Peace Corps office sporting her best safari-chic attire to casually look into the steps one might take if one were to become a global humanitarian, a la Angelina Jolie.

But when Eve meets John, her dashing young Peace Corps recruiter, all her ambivalence flies out the window. She absolutely must join the Peace Corps - and win John's heart in the process. Off to Ecuador she goes and - after a year in the jungle - back to the States she runs, vowing to stay within easy reach of a decaf cappuccino for the rest of her days. But life had other plans. Just as she's getting reacquainted with the joys of toilet paper, John gets a job with CARE and Eve must decide if shes up for life in another third-world outpost. Before you can say, "pass the malaria prophylaxis," the couple heads off to Uganda, and the fun really begins--if one can call having rats in your toilet fun.

Fortunately, in Eve's case one certainly can, because to her, every experience is an adventure to be embraced, and these pages come alive with all of the alternatively poignant and uproarious details.

With wit and candor, First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria chronicles Eve's misadventures as an aspiring do-gooder. Here is an honest and laugh-out-loud funny look at the search for love and purpose from a woman who finds both in the last place she expected.

©2009 Eve Brown Waite (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

I want to go to Uganda!

What did you like best about First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria? What did you like least?

I liked the location the most. What I liked the least was the authors whiny tone and annoying that she never made an effort to meet the towns people and have relationships with Ugandans outside of her husbands job. She lived there 3 years and never learned the language, ugh.

If you’ve listened to books by Eve Brown Waite before, how does this one compare?

N/a

Have you listened to any of Eileen Stevens’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

N/a

Was First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria worth the listening time?

Not really but it was cheap so it's ok.

Interesting Because of Content

If you could sum up First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria in three words, what would they be?

I am getting ready to go to Northern Uganda with the Peace Corps so this book hit on themes that I found very interesting. I have spent most of my adult life living overseas and have also traveled to Uganda and that kept my interest level up. It is an interesting autobiography and some of what other readers found offensive in the story were things that I can relate to from the author. The pregnancy drama could have been trimmed down dramatically but maybe a new mother might find it interesting. The introduction to what life will be in Northern Uganda made this a 4 star book for me although I most certainly will not have the luxuries she describes. I would be interesting in knowing what happened next to this family.

Wondering if it was worth it...

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not sure. This is the type of book you'd pick up and read on a rainy day or borrow at your sister's house because you're bored. Not one you'd intentionally purchase at full price, but worth a read or listen if the price is right.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Certainly Eve's travels are interesting. I was disappointed in how her story was portrayed though. Her book highlights an averageness. It was a story of a woman whose love for an amazing husband is evident, but not one that highlights an amazing woman. Not to say that she's not, but she didn't convey that to the reader.

I really enjoyed Conor Greenan's Little Princes,for example,because it highlights an average Joe who seems to stumble into excellence. This seems to be focused on the reverse.

What three words best describe Eileen Stevens’s performance?

Good (Sorry, just one).

What else would you have wanted to know about Eve Brown Waite’s life?

What happened next.

A Good Safari

This story was a fun read and took me out of the states on a journey. Loved it.

unexpected adventure

this delightful little story was definitely outside the commonplace. unexpected adventures in foreign countries with Peace Corps workers and volunteers gave insight into the real lives and difficulties of normal people in often difficult circumstances. it was a light and pleasant read and I will be looking for more of this author's books.

Title misses the spolit princess bit.

I found the narration of a high standard and it only this professional input that kept me listening to the end. The story was alarmingly honest - and did little to improve the image of Amercians abroad. The Peace Corp and such institutions have done great works around the world in the the past, but this sort of story undermines their contribution by focusing on the spoilt princesses and their ignorance about life outside New York state.

As an Australian travelling in the USA I have always been surprised at how ignorant of other states and countries many American's are. Unfortunately this ignorance is displayed - loudly and proudly - through out this book. She was in Africa at a critical time in its history and at no stage is there any insight into the politics, or ramifications of the politics on the local villagers. The constant complaining about lack of luxuries and decent coffee soon lost its appeal, and my frustration grew as I found the story more and more frivolous.

I found the book to be extremely disappointing - shallow and self absorbed.

Hilarious

Eve Brown Waite's account of her time in the peace corp, marrying her peace corp recruiter, and their subsequent move to Uganda is at turns hilarious, poignant, and culturally informative while being unfailing honest in it's self reflection. Very much worth the listen for anyone who enjoys the unquestioning humor that always comes with overseas adventures!

Enjoyable and Fun

Eve Brown Waite is hilarious! She starts her story out with altruism which quickly morphs into a very funny journey to Ecuador and Uganda. The beauty of the story is Eve's honesty and how brilliantly she finds the humor in some odd situations. Of course, along the way I came to care very deeply for the various characters she encounters.

Terrific Book

What made the experience of listening to First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria the most enjoyable?

Having been around when Uganda first hit the news this book and its more current history was facinating.

What was one of the most memorable moments of First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria?

The authors vivid retelling of her struggles with everyday life. It should make every person who has the luxuries of life, which we think of as necessities, grateful and learn that sometimes the basics are all we really need to be happy.

One of the best memoirs I have ever read!

This audiobook was hilarious, poignant and, at times, heartbreaking. I simply cannot rave enough about this wonderful memoir. Eve Brown-Waite is a woman who is honest, loving, compassionate, quirky and occassionally selfish. But you know what? That makes her human! The narration was wonderful-I felt no one, but Eileen Stevens, could have pulled off this memoir!

Buy this audiobook! It will make you literally laugh out loud wherever you are! (For example, I was in the grocery store at one particular time and couldn't help but hoot with laughter...which got several strange stares.)