BootsnAll Travel Community

Who read it? What do you think?

I am only ~120 pages into the book so far, but feel it lives up in great part to the raves I've read on BnA from Phillip Blazdell and others.

So far, I really like how she is interweaving the tales of her travels in the Pacific; chronological order of countries doesnt seem too important as she and other travellers conjure their tales by a beach campfire. I also like that while she takes time to live with and get to know people on a remote Fijian island (having an affair with a local guy), she is also acutely aware of being a foreigner, takes pleasure and solace in the company of other travellers, and bristles at some aspects of Fijian culture... seeks to sow seeds of change even, in the way men treat women especially.

She gets her jabs in about cannibalism too, after yet another gut-busting feast, wondering if Fijians in earlier times attacked the roasted spleen of their enemies with equal gusto.

She is more spiritual than the male writers I have read (including Theroux, Iyer, Chatwin) and often drifts into gushy, hallucinogenic descriptions of nature especially. Sometimes I think she could tone it down just a tad, but for the most part, I enjoy it.

I cant deny I also like when she hooks up with local guys -- two so far, she made out with one on Bali, and the Fijian guy -- it's titilating, yet naive and spontanious. Hearing it from a woman is, well, different and fun. If it were a man doing the same thing, I'd think he was taking advantage of a local girl... double standard yup... but we'll see how our heroine fares, she's added some intrigue by stating early on that she can "never go back [to that island], not while he is alive" (not an exact quote)

It's in my "shopping cart", haven't pulled the triggered yet. I'll be interested in what others say.

<< bristles at some aspects of Fijian culture... seeks to sow seeds of change even, in the way men treat women especially.>.

Who appointed her God? Sorry, but going into other cultures and "sowing seeds of change" is not, generally, our responsibility (see "Iraq"). We are not talking infanticide or slavery here. Thanks for admitting the obvious double standard.... I find sexual imperialism, regardless of who the actor is, pretty revolting.

I liked the book quite a bit.

quote:

Originally posted by salmo99:
<< bristles at some aspects of Fijian culture... seeks to sow seeds of change even, in the way men treat women especially.>.

Who appointed her God? Sorry, but going into other cultures and "sowing seeds of change" is not, generally, our responsibility (see "Iraq"). We are not talking infanticide or slavery here. Thanks for admitting the obvious double standard.... I find sexual imperialism, regardless of who the actor is, pretty revolting.

Hey Salmo, so you read the book or you are just taking my word for it?

I'm not 100% convinced women are capable of "sexual imperialism" in the same way men are; she doesnt seem to be just in it for sex, nor is she looking for a "real" man like so many men in Asia (for example); the lady fell in love... but I hear what you are saying, and I somewhat agree, esp. when it comes to her touting "better" ways.

When she harps at her man b/c he ignores her when other men are around, what is she saying? Sounds an awful lot like "our way is the best way" (men and women on equal footing, as friends etc). Is there a feminist in the house?? lol... who has it right?

In another similarly confused incident, she befriends a pig the Fijians are fattening for a feast... she calls him Bernard, and cannot eat him when his time comes...

But at the end of the day, she is able to say, this is their way, this is my way, and these are the places we do not meet. She also is able to gain insights from a female perspective that a male could never do, by virtue of those same rules of gender behavior, and that is unique and refreshing.

NTFT pull the trigger! join our convo...

Hey Mina- No, I haven't read it yet, just some excerpts. On the list, for sure...have you read "Sex Lives of Cannibals? or "Best American Travel Writing of 2004"?

Maybe you should read it now too? BnA book club in effect

Nope, havent read Sex Lives of Cannibals (yet)... that's on my list... but I do have the Best Amer. Travel Writing of 2004, read a few of the stories, always good reading, but I miss the photos that should accompany most of those pieces

<<but I miss the photos that should accompany most of those pieces>.

That is a very interesting perspective. Usually, words create the imagery that brings the tale alive, don't you think? Maybe THAT is why you don't like Theroux!

quote:

Originally posted by salmo99:
<<but I miss the photos that should accompany most of those pieces>.

That is a very interesting perspective. Usually, words create the imagery that brings the tale alive, don't you think? Maybe THAT is why you don't like Theroux!

um, no @ the last part... I like books without pictures too Salmo. And as I've said, I dont entirely dislike Theroux.

But when the excerpts are from places like Outside, National Geographic etc, I miss the photos. Start a new topic if you want to debate the merits and shortcomings of that series, mmmmkay?

Mina,

Thanks for the first readable review of this book that I've seen. Now I know I must read it. I read the first page because it was available online, and I was like...ho hum...

but, your review assures me there's more. Also the begining opens up with the flowery nature description that you don't care for. Maybe you and I have the same taste as far as that goes.

Boy...I've got a lot of reading to do...


(Off Topic, is it just me, or do those Off Topic smileys look dreadful?)

Sex Lives of Cannibals is ok but no where near as enjoyable as Kite Strings - its a totally different book. Kite strings is a profound statement about longing whereas Sex Lives is more about trying to conform and fit it...

Laurie's new book - Kiss the Sunset Pig (to be published by Summersdale here in the UK) is a much more rounded and complete book (I have read two early drafts so there may be some changes to it).

Another good read you may want to check out is the Boy in the Green Suit (just published by Summersdale).

And if anyone wants to know what Laurie actually looks like:


Philip

I finished the book last night... WOW!

refreshingly feminine, inspiring, honest and bittersweet; her mindset as a traveler is so much more than just getting from point A to point B, she really soaks in the people and places around her

The prose was dreamlike but lucid, meditative even, throughout the book, sometimes too purple for my tastes; she must have described the moon and the sky dozens times, each time with new metaphors and adjectives... at times I was like, again?! but, I know how on very small islands, these celestial bodies take on incredible importance, and she loves the moon and nature, so why not.

She had a horrible time in Hawaii, which is almost the funniest part of the book. I suspect she wasnt expecting Honolulu to be the big city it is, and she's right about Kona on the Big Island, it's pretty bad... she makes a mistake in referring to all the people of Hawaii as "Hawaiians" -- that's a big no-no, Hawaiians are a distinct group -- and saying she hates Hawaii when really she hates Honolulu and Kona (which I'm sure many would agree with). She's painting a multifaceted archipelago with too broad of brush strokes, but it is easy to forgive her. Esp when she redeems herself at one point by saying something to the effect of "I'm sure there are nice places in Hawaii...."

All in all, a fast, fun read from an adventurous traveling soul I would be all too happy to share time with around a campfire~

Philip, what do you mean, "more rounded and complete"?

thx also for the recommendations~

Well

the new book - Kiss the Sunset Pig - is a more profound read. There is less purple prose and more soul searching - its a much more grown up book. I havent read the final final version but have read the almost final draft...

its going to be massive!

Philip

fabulous... I'm looking forward to it, thanks philip!

Well, being the Joni Mitchell fan that I am, I'm thinking the book can't be a complete waste of time with a title like, kiss the sunset pig!!

The Book will be out in March 2006
published initially by those nice folks at summersdale....


yea!


PB

Details of the new book can be found here:

Laurie's new book

Philip

when is the U.S. release?

I read this recently.

I enjoyed it, although i don't think it lived up to all the hype that i've been hearing about it.

As mentioned before twas a but self righteous in places and i wasnt to much of a fan of the writing style.

However the sort of spirirtual perspective does make it refreshingly different from most travelogues.

I particuarly enjoyed the bit about the devil.