A Chip Shop in Poznan: My Unlikely Year in Poland, Ben Aitken Humorous Travel Memoir Book

A Chip Shop in Poznan: My Unlikely Year in Poland by Ben Aitken is a lively, unexpected memoir for readers curious about modern Europe, travel lovers, and anyone who enjoys honest, humorous storytelling. This paperback edition (Condition: BRAND NEW) follows a British writer who leaves the familiar for a shoestring adventure in Poland — a true story that’s as informative as it is entertaining, perfect for parents, teachers, and gift buyers seeking a fresh nonfiction read. ISBN: 9781785786266.

In 2016 Ben Aitken did something most Brits would not: he moved to Poland to find out what emigrants had left behind. Landing in a city he’d barely heard of, he took a minimum-wage job in a fish and chip shop and set about learning a country from the ground up. That unlikely setup produces sharp cultural observations, warm encounters, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as Ben navigates language, local customs, and the surprising generosity of strangers.

What the story includes

• Immersive travel writing: First-hand scenes from Poznan and around Poland — markets, small towns, and the hum of local life — presented with the eye of a cultural observer and the warmth of a storyteller.
• Working-class perspective: Real experiences from behind the counter of a chip shop, offering an accessible view of daily life for locals and migrants alike.
• Political curiosity: A reflection on identity, migration, and civic life — and how a year abroad shifted a young traveler’s ambitions toward public service.

About the author

Ben Aitken is an established voice in contemporary travel and memoir. He is the author of six books including Dear Bill Bryson: Footnotes from a Small Island and The Marmalade Diaries. A Times bestseller, Ben also writes for The Guardian and The Times and was named TCG Travel Journalist of the Year in 2024. His background — from working as a carer to time in a boyband — gives his writing both heart and humor, trusted by readers who value authentic, human-centered travel stories.

Product details & benefits

• Format: Paperback — lightweight and travel-friendly for reading on commutes or holidays.
• Condition: BRAND NEW — pristine pages and a fresh cover make it a great gift or classroom purchase.
• ISBN: 9781785786266 — easy to order or reference for libraries and book collections.
• Engaging for a wide audience: ideal for book clubs, parents reading aloud, or educators exploring contemporary Europe.
• From an award-winning journalist and bestselling author — trustworthy, well-reviewed writing that balances humor with insight.

Whether you’re compiling a book collection of modern travel memoirs, searching for a memorable gift, or looking for engaging classroom reading about migration and identity, A Chip Shop in Poznan offers a warm, witty, and thoughtful glimpse of Poland through uniquely British eyes. It’s the perfect paperback edition to inspire curiosity, spark conversations, and remind readers that small adventures can lead to big changes.