And Then We Moved to Rossenarra

A memoir by political novelist Richard Condon, And Then We Moved to Rossenarra chronicles the author's nomadic life across Europe and Mexico before settling in Ireland. The book was published in 1973, following Condon's success with The Manchurian Candidate and other notable works. The narrative focuses on the Condon family's experience renovating Rossenarra, an 1824 Georgian country house in County Kilkenny, Ireland. The restoration process forms the core of the story, featuring encounters with local craftsmen and the challenges of bringing an old estate back to life. Through a blend of personal anecdotes and observations, Condon documents the family's transitions between Paris, Madrid, New York, Mexico City, London, Geneva, and Locarno. The author employs humor throughout, including the creation of a fictional overseer called "the Capo" to tie the renovation stories together. The memoir stands as a reflection on the expatriate experience and the universal quest to find one's place in the world, while exploring the complexities of adapting to new cultures and communities.

Limited reader reviews exist for this 1971 memoir, making it difficult to gauge broad reception. The few available reviews focus on Condon's recounting of moving his family to Ireland. Readers appreciated: - Details about Irish village life and culture - Humor in describing expatriate experiences - Writing style matching his fiction works Readers disliked: - Lack of deep emotional connection to the story - Some sections read more like a travelogue - Limited broader context about Ireland Available Ratings: Goodreads: 3.33/5 (3 ratings) No reviews found on Amazon or other major book sites One reader noted: "An amusing if slight memoir of his time in Ireland. Not essential Condon but diverting enough." The book remains relatively obscure compared to Condon's novels, with few modern reviews or discussions available online. Most references appear in biographical mentions rather than dedicated reviews.

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle Chronicles a family's renovation of an old French farmhouse while navigating local customs, construction crews, and the rhythms of rural Provençal life.

Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes Details an American writer's purchase and restoration of an abandoned villa in Italy while exploring connections with local craftsmen and villagers.

McCarthy's Bar by Pete McCarthy Follows one man's journey through Ireland, exploring its pubs, traditions, and characters while seeking connections to his Irish heritage.

An American in Ireland by David Armstrong Chronicles a writer's relocation to rural Ireland and the transformation of a derelict property into a working farm.

The Caliph's House by Tahir Shah Recounts a family's move to Casablanca and their efforts to restore a traditional Moroccan house while dealing with local craftsmen and cultural differences.

🔹 Richard Condon wrote the political thriller "The Manchurian Candidate" (1959), which was adapted into an iconic film starring Frank Sinatra and later remade with Denzel Washington. 🔹 Rossenarra House, the Georgian mansion featured in the memoir, was built in 1824 for a Catholic priest named Edmund Madden and sits on approximately 120 acres of Irish countryside. 🔹 Before settling in Ireland, Condon worked in the movie industry as a publicist for Walt Disney Productions and other major film studios in the 1930s and 1940s. 🔹 The author's decision to move to Europe was partly influenced by McCarthyism in the United States during the 1950s, a period when many American artists and writers chose exile. 🔹 County Kilkenny, where Rossenarra House is located, is known for its medieval architecture, including the famous Kilkenny Castle, and has been a popular destination for artists and writers seeking inspiration since the early 20th century.