Jumeira Jane

Jumeira Jane and other Dubai friends is a light verse book written by Paddy Briggs and illustrated by Glyn Powell. The book, published in 2001, contains eleven poems describing fictional (and some not so fictional) characters from the British ex-patriate community in Dubai around the year 2000.

The Author

Paddy Briggs was working as an expatriate for Royal Dutch Shell in Dubai when he wrote the book. He retired from Shell in 2002 and is now a writer and journalist.

Overview

A "Jumeira Jane" was a particular type of female ex-patriate who lived in the Emirate of Dubai, usually as a result of a posting there for her husband or partner. The term is used to suggest someone who has a few airs and graces and enjoys the ex-patriate life. It is satirical rather than strongly critical. The book pokes gentle fun at Jane and her circle.

Print Run and Sales

The book had a print run of 5000 and was sold out within five years of publication. The proceeds from the book were donated to the Dubai-based charity "The British Community Assistance Fund". It is now out of print but secondhand copies are obtainable online and in bookshops.