Three big dreams, two Mouse Ears and one J-1 visa. What could possibly go wrong in the happiest place on earth? When Catherine Ryan Howard decides to swap the grey clouds of Ireland for the clear skies of the Sunshine State, she thinks all of her dreams - working in Walt Disney World, living in the United States, seeing a Space Shuttle launch - are about to come true. Ahead of her she sees weekends at the beach, mornings by the pool and an inexplicably skinnier version of herself skipping around Magic Kingdom. But not long into her first day on Disney soil - and not long after a breakfast of Mickey-shaped pancakes - Catherine's Disney bubble bursts and soon it seems that among Orlando's baked highways, monotonous mall clusters and world famous theme-parks, pixie dust is hard to find and hair is downright impossible to straighten. The only memoir about working in Walt Disney World, Space Shuttle launches, the town that Disney built, religious theme parks, Bruce Willis, humidity-challenged hair and the Ebola virus, MOUSETRAPPED: A Year and A Bit in Orlando, Florida is the hilarious story of what happened when one Irish girl went searching for happiness in the happiest place on earth.
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About the Author
CATHERINE RYAN HOWARD is an occasionally delusional twenty-something from Cork, Ireland. As well as working in Walt Disney World, Catherine has been a student journalist, administrated things in the Netherlands, cleaned tents on a French campsite, established a handmade card company and answered telephones in several different offices. Yes, several. She is currently trying to get somebody - anybody? - to publish her first novel, writing her second, daydreaming of a US Green Card and drinking way too much coffee. She wants to be a NASA astronaut when she grows up.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Marsha Moore
Format:Paperback
I've always been fascinated by Disney and its brand, so I jumped at the chance to read this book, hoping for some behind-the-scenes glimpses into what life there was like. I wasn't disappointed: the author writes with wit and humour about her time in Orlando, and you get a true sense of what living in a town dominated by a massive theme park really feels like. The book includes lots of information about other facets of Disney and Florida -- including Celebration, the town created by Disney -- and provides a wonderful account of a space-shuttle launch.
Thoroughly enjoyable and a great read!
Thoroughly enjoyable and a great read!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book with high expectations, having read the first chapter in pre-publication promotions - I have to say, it exceeded them! The writing is wry and witty and gives an honest account of the author's time in America with no frills or feel-sorry-for me moments, although I did frequently. You get a real sense of her emotions and both the excitement and frustration she feels throughout the book, and often feel as if you are there in Orlando with her.
Although I enjoyed every chapter, I have to say the chapter which stood out for me was the one where she visited the Space Centre. There were times where I was incredibly moved, and her own enthusiasm for the subject is highly infectious. I could read this chapter over and over again, although the whole book would be a pleasure to re-read any time. I also have to say, the book is not for the niche market it may appear to be for. Anyone interested in America (and specifically Disneyworld) would find it compelling, yes, but I also think the broader story behind the book is for everyone - Catherine went searching for her dream and how often do we all want to do that?
I look forward to reading more from Catherine Ryan Howard, and can only sum up this very brief review by strongly recommending anyone to buy it.
Although I enjoyed every chapter, I have to say the chapter which stood out for me was the one where she visited the Space Centre. There were times where I was incredibly moved, and her own enthusiasm for the subject is highly infectious. I could read this chapter over and over again, although the whole book would be a pleasure to re-read any time. I also have to say, the book is not for the niche market it may appear to be for. Anyone interested in America (and specifically Disneyworld) would find it compelling, yes, but I also think the broader story behind the book is for everyone - Catherine went searching for her dream and how often do we all want to do that?
I look forward to reading more from Catherine Ryan Howard, and can only sum up this very brief review by strongly recommending anyone to buy it.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Kathryn Eastman
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Mousetrapped is Catherine Ryan Howard's fascinating and humorous memoir about how she came to live and work under Mouse rule and what it was like in reality. She captures the highs and lows of living and working abroad, especially how the daily routine rarely matches the heady expectations, while also providing a behind-the-scenes look at how a Disney World Resort Hotel really runs. You can't help but get caught up in her enthusiasm, determination and almost breathless pursuit of living her dream. Her writing style makes the book read like a series of chatty letters from a friend and this works in its favour. It especially makes it that much easier to digest the detailed information Cath includes. I particularly enjoyed the chapters dealing with her visits to the town of Celebration and the Kennedy Space Centre, together with the much-thwarted attempts at seeing a Space Shuttle launch with her own eyes.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this account of Cath's "year and a bit" in Orlando. I haven't been there yet but I'm glad I've read it in advance of going (whenever that may be). While I'd recommend Mousetrapped without hesitation to anyone considering visiting Orlando, the Disney World theme parks and/or the Kennedy Space Centre, I'd also urge anyone who is thinking about living and working abroad to read it, too. It's a well-written memoir that tells you what it's really like to leave your home to set up a new life and start a job in a foreign country.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this account of Cath's "year and a bit" in Orlando. I haven't been there yet but I'm glad I've read it in advance of going (whenever that may be). While I'd recommend Mousetrapped without hesitation to anyone considering visiting Orlando, the Disney World theme parks and/or the Kennedy Space Centre, I'd also urge anyone who is thinking about living and working abroad to read it, too. It's a well-written memoir that tells you what it's really like to leave your home to set up a new life and start a job in a foreign country.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny
This was a good read while on holiday in Orlando. The text was well written and had some funny anecdotes. It was strange passing by some of the sights mentioned in the book.
Published 3 months ago by S. Wood
2.0 out of 5 stars
Hoodwinked
The book is a very easy read, funny too in places. But all in all i just felt slightly cheated. Given that the fact the author was in the US for some 18 months then the book is... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mr. Peter Woolstencroft
3.0 out of 5 stars
mousedirected
I bought this book on the premise that it was about a year and a bit of working at Disneyworld. I was wrong. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Andrew london
3.0 out of 5 stars
A fun memoir
A fun little memoir about an Irish girl working in Orlando, Florida. This is not a book about an Irish girl working for the Disney corporation as the blurb on the back of the book... Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2011 by Scarymushrooms
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliantly witty!
Written is an incredibly humourous yet very clever style, this memoir of Catherine's year in Florida exceeded my expectations. Read more
Published on 1 May 2010 by Vanessa Fox Oloughlin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mousetrapped Indeed!
Mousetrapped should be compulsory reading for anyone heading to Orlando or the Space Coast! It's a unique part of the world and this book captures it perfectly. Read more
Published on 27 April 2010 by Victoria Corfield
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