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Evelyne Fallows
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The Polar Bear and the Palm Tree: A delightful story of friendship and entertaining adventures from Saudi Arabia to Norway. Kindle Edition

by Evelyne Fallows (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 54 ratings
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"Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I didn't want the story to end!" - 5-star Goodreads review
"An exceptional story filled with lovely characters, vivid scenes and exciting locations." - 5-star reader's review
"Grab this book, enjoy reading it, and look forward to the author's next offering!" - 5-star Goodreads review

When Ingrid lands in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on a hot summer night in the early 1990's, she has no idea her life will take an unexpected turn. From the palace of HRH Princess Jowhara, where she lives and works, she discovers an exotic country, the gorgeous yet unforgiving desert of the Rub al Khali and has an encounter with the feared religious police. But she also meets wonderful, generous and fascinating women and soon embarks on a new adventure to Norway and the Arctic with her new friend, Mikio, an older Japanese professor and amateur photographer. Follow them as they discover each other on their trip to Norway where their friendship beyond borders and age will grow.

The Polar Bear and the Palm Tree is a beautiful story of an unlikely friendship that takes you from the Saudi Desert to the Arctic via Las Vegas. If you enjoy reading about exotic places and exciting adventures, you should definitely check this out!

"Engaging and thought-provoking story. With the exception of multiple POV's, I found the Polar Bear and the Plam Tree to have a Gentleman in Moscow-like style of storytelling."- 5- star Amazon review
Previous page
  1. Print length
    162 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    November 30, 2017
  5. File size
    1840 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B077VZYS75
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ; 2nd edition (November 30, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 30, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1840 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 162 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 54 ratings

About the author

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Evelyne Fallows

Evelyne Fallows

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Evelyne Fallows was born and raised in France. A passionate linguist, she graduated college with a Masters in simultaneous interpretation (Russian, English and French).

A real citizen of the world, she lived in France, Belgium, South Korea, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. An avid traveler, she explored Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia, the Middle East and the Gulf.

While living abroad, she embarked on new studies and career path and became a Certified Personal Trainer, specializing in Senior Fitness and Weight Loss. She now lives in New York City, where she runs her fitness business.

Her first novel, "The Polar Bar and the Palm Tree", will make you travel from Saudi Arabia to Norway, through a beautiful story of friendship, adventures and self-fulfillment.

Her second novel, "Les Aventures de Mademoiselle Annie", is a fun and light comedy that makes you visit New York City through the eyes of two very different characters.

"Vignettes of Life" is a stunning collection of short stories, from Europe to Asia, the Middle East and America.

A screenplay and another novel in French are on their way.

To find out more: www.evelynefallows.com

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
54 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Sally Mutter
5.0 out of 5 stars I highly recommend THE POLAR BEAR AND THE PALM TREE.
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It brought back the fond memory of my friendship with a kind and intelligent Japanese man. I really enjoyed reading about the relationship between Ingrid and Mikko. All of the characters in this book are especially fine. Several of the circumstances are written in such a realistic and exciting way that truly captures and holds the reader's attention, a page turner for sure! It was very interesting to learn more of Saudi Arabia and the ways of their elite. I found the diverse settings in this book to invoke my love of travel and adventure. If you are looking for a great read, this book is it. I look forward to reading another of Evelyne's books, VIGNETTES OF LIFE.
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Andrew Nagorski
5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging, heartfelt tale
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2019
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This is a deceptively simple story about expats with mixed European and Asian backgrounds afflicted with the ramblin' rose syndrome--for those of you remember the Nat King Cole song. In this case a highly accomplished young woman of European and Lebanese descent, who spent her formative years in the lavish but highly constricted world of the Saudi elite, meets up with an older Japanese photographer at an environmental conference in Las Vegas. They make for an unlikely pair, but they hit it off so well that they end up on a scientific expedition to the Arctic together. Don't expect romantic sparks to fly; but there's magic in these seemingly improbable settings and the glimpses of the lives of the two protagonists and their separate but intersecting journeys.
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Giedre
4.0 out of 5 stars This novel is easy to read and gives you so much insight into ...
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2017
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This novel is easy to read and gives you so much insight into the mysterious world of S.Arabia. There are so many interesting stories that explain life inside the country so much better than any other information sources would do I believe. It is not easy to get into that country but the book allows you to experience it. Author lets us experience all the positive aspects of life there through the lovely charming character Ingrid.Curious to know what else Ingrid is going to share with us in the future....
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Soso
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining read that gives glimpses of life in a "closed" country
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2018
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I enjoyed this book immensely! It was a well thought out and interesting plot that began with the meeting between two people and followed them through the building of their unique friendship. The plot traveled through multiple countries, giving us a unique view of them along the way. I especially enjoyed reading the sections that detailed the life of the main character in Saudi Arabia, a country that many people may never have the opportunity to visit and enjoy.

I recommend this book, especially to anyone who has lived the expatriate life or enjoys traveling. The life of the main character will resonate for you.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars An unexpected story about intriguing and insightful characters from different ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2018
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An unexpected story about intriguing and insightful characters from different cultures and backgrounds. The author takes us in a journey from Las Vegas to Saudi Arabia all the way to Norway making us learn about those places while enjoying the ride. Hard to put down.
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PeterB
1.0 out of 5 stars Poorly written- nop narrative structure
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2019
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This book screams "self-published". It has almost no narrative structure, hops from one topic to another, is packed with meaningless detail and leaden dialogue. Obviously the author know something of Saudi Arabia and the Arctic, but she knows nothing about how to tell an engaging story. This so desperately needs an editor - even a writer's group. Don't waste your time with this.
One person found this helpful
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Joanne Hale
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2017
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A very enjoyable story with some adventure thrown in. Great pace and interesting characters. Hope to see a follow up with more of Ingrid’s adventures.
One person found this helpful
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pennelope Goodfriend
4.0 out of 5 stars a tale of diverse places and people and the ties that bond us
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2022
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The Polar Bear and the Palm Tree is wonderfully paced, i loved how the author threaded the three stories together and wove it with such attention to the .details. She offers a glimpse at geographically polar opposite places and a variety of people one might encounter. Who although diverse share a common humanity we can easily relate to and appreciate.
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
JK StFORT
5.0 out of 5 stars Quand l’amitié naît.
Reviewed in France on June 19, 2021
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Une jeune femme aux origines multiples. Un vieil homme japonais un peu mystérieux. Une rencontre improbable. Et pourtant, l’amitié naît, par petites touches, par approches ténues, par confidences au détour d’une phrase... ou d’un vin exquis. C’est toute la délicatesse de l’auteure de nous montrer la naissance d’une belle amitié.
Ce que j’ai aimé chez l’auteur, c’est qu’il n’y a pas de présupposé, pas de jugement. « L’autre », tous les autres sont acceptés comme ils sont. Chaque pays, chaque personne est une chance de rencontre.
Mais pour rencontrer l’autre il faut oser faire un pas. L’amitié, comme l’amour, est un risque, une chance… qu’on saisit… ou pas. Parce qu’on est prêt à s’ouvrir ou pas.
Et puis, au-delà des voyages, des paysages et des intérieurs étonnants où l’auteure nous emmène, il y a… les rêves d’enfant. Ceux qu’on garde enfouis depuis tellement d’années. Non, il n’y a pas d’âge pour réaliser ses rêves.
Merci Evelyne Fallows de nous rappeler cela. Je crois bien que je vais continuer à vous suivre.
Au fait, je suis français, et je lis l’anglais comme un français, c’est-à-dire imparfaitement. Aussi, ami(e)s français(es), soyez sans crainte. L’écriture est accessible et la poésie des mots nous emporte. N’hésitez pas.
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Client d'Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Envie de voyage ?
Reviewed in France on January 5, 2018
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. Par l'intermédiaire d 'Ingrid , l héroïne du roman , je me suis retrouvée pendant quelques heures en Arabie Saoudite ou j ai vécu quelques années par l'évocation de lieux et de l'ambiance si particulière de ce pays . Belles descriptions du désert et de la société saoudienne .
Merci Evelyne pour ce beau moment de lecture et de voyage au coeur de l'hiver français
A lire absolument
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CHEVALLIER
5.0 out of 5 stars A découvrir...
Reviewed in France on June 17, 2018
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J’ai pris beaucoup de plaisir à lire ce livre. J’ai apprécié le style dynamique et éloquent qui incite à poursuivre rapidement la lecture de cette histoire qui mêle flash back et récit contemporain avec brio. Évasion garantie à la découverte des différents pays de l’histoire dont la description réussie permet de ressentir les atmosphères caractéristiques à chacun d’eux. Belle réussite. Sabine C.W
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JP
5.0 out of 5 stars Light and sparkling
Reviewed in France on May 2, 2020
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A breath of fresh air that gives us a delightful look into the expats world and Saudi Arabia. A quest of friendship and meaning that leads us beyond the easy life surface of expatriation.
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