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jnni41's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
camillalice's review
3.0
3.5/5
There is a bit of a story as to how I discovered this book. I read an article a couple of months ago about Marilyn Monroe's personal library that was put to auction after she passed away. She had over 430 books in her personal library, and despite being picture as a bit of a silly girl at times, she loved reading. I found out about Bemelmans by looking at the list of her books.
And I wasn't disappointed. I don't think I would ever have known about How to Travel Incognito without this article. It's really funny, even completely nonsensical at times, and the illustrations add a lot of fun to the story as well. I spent a few years studying in Paris so it also made me a little bit nostalgic - even though I was there in the early 2010s and not the 1950s, I feel there is a special "spirit" in Paris that can always be found there regardless of the year.
There is a bit of a story as to how I discovered this book. I read an article a couple of months ago about Marilyn Monroe's personal library that was put to auction after she passed away. She had over 430 books in her personal library, and despite being picture as a bit of a silly girl at times, she loved reading. I found out about Bemelmans by looking at the list of her books.
And I wasn't disappointed. I don't think I would ever have known about How to Travel Incognito without this article. It's really funny, even completely nonsensical at times, and the illustrations add a lot of fun to the story as well. I spent a few years studying in Paris so it also made me a little bit nostalgic - even though I was there in the early 2010s and not the 1950s, I feel there is a special "spirit" in Paris that can always be found there regardless of the year.
hcq's review
4.0
Charming, as always.
I was a bit surprised to find that the book was actually a full-length piece; I was expecting shorter, less connected essays. Oddly, it was a bit of a disappointment--his characters lend themselves more to short anecdotes. Indeed, Bemelmans may be at his best in the short form.
Still, lesser Bemelmans is still much better than most anything by many others.
I was a bit surprised to find that the book was actually a full-length piece; I was expecting shorter, less connected essays. Oddly, it was a bit of a disappointment--his characters lend themselves more to short anecdotes. Indeed, Bemelmans may be at his best in the short form.
Still, lesser Bemelmans is still much better than most anything by many others.
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