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231 reviews for:
Between the Stops: The View of My Life from the Top of the Number 12 Bus
Sandi Toksvig
4.32 AVERAGE
231 reviews for:
Between the Stops: The View of My Life from the Top of the Number 12 Bus
Sandi Toksvig
4.32 AVERAGE
This review features spoilers!!
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ R E V I E W
< P O S I T I V E S > :
○ I liked the humour and creativity in this book!
○ I also liked the interesting perspectives. Such as the fact that Sandi's local postman and the prime minister of Denmark sat beside each other at Sandi's father's funeral! Or, the fact Sandi knew a man who was to be punished for murdering someone he did not murder. However, this man had murdered someone else in the past, and got away with it, so he thought it was fair enough he was punished regardless of the fact it was for the correct murder.
○ I did like reading about Sandi's schooldays, and her observations about people on pubic transport.
< N E G A T I V E S > :
○ On at least three occasions, Sandi implied two close friends in history where potentially sapphic or achillean couples, but couldn't express that at that time in history. I know that it is simply a fact that sort of thing did happen, but to theorise about specific real people's personal lives, albeit people who have since died, in a printed book, seems invasive to me! I got the uncomfortable feeling that she wouldn't have done this, and as many times as she did, if she herself was not sapphic.
○ Sandi continuously brought up that so many streets that she passed were named after men. Yes, it's unfortunate that that was how it was in history, but she seemed to mention it far too many times. Sandi also said famous men's wives tend to be more interesting than their husbands. Pathetic. Sandi also said 'females' more than once. Ironically 'females', which is a adjective used as a noun, which in my opinion is derogatory to do, I associate with a certain type of men who create podcasts, than feminist women, which Sandi would claim to be! She later referred to female as the 'fairer sex', whatever that's supposed to mean. (I Googled it, it simply means 'womankind', but I presumed it was something about women being 'fairer' than men and I thought that was a pretty stupid thing to say).
○ Despite being in her 60s herself, I don't think this justifies Sandi referring to old people as looking like they are to 'die soon', 'on their last outing' and 'a face that shrinks from his teeth'.
○ There were far too many name drops, I know this is a famous person's autobiography, but this does not mean every person who reads it knows of all of Sandi's famous friends. Even a couple of words, in brackets if need be, to describe the occupations of these people would not only be useful, but humble! The only names I knew were Alan Sugar and Ant and Dec.
○ Despite being ethnically Danish and British, having dual nationality, a parent from each country, and having lived in each country, there was only one word in Danish in the whole book, which seems a little strange to me. Even stranger, this word is, of all words, 'rubber chicken'. ('Gummi kylling', which I only remembered because it looks like 'gummy killing'....)
< N E U T R A L > :
○ Personally I did not like the non-chronological bus route writing style, but it is different, memorable etc.
○ I would've really liked to hear her opinion on wives taking their husbands surnames at marriage, and more than that, the wife also dropping her own. For being a feminist, and mentioning feminism so much, I'm surprised Sandi didn't bring this up. I would've especially liked to hear her opinion considering Sandi has dual nationality, (if her children would have taken her wife's surname, Sandi's Danish-ness would be erased!) and has been married twice (had her opinion changed since the first marriage?) and in sapphic relationships (the lack of a man, means who takes whose surname, and who drops theirs?).
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ D E T A I L S
○ WRITTEN ON: E300623
TRANSCRIBED ON: A100723
○ HOURS TAKEN TO READ: 10 hours, 27 minutes
RATING: ☆ ☆ ½ (rounded up to three stars because Goodreads does not have a half star option)
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ R E V I E W
< P O S I T I V E S > :
○ I liked the humour and creativity in this book!
○ I also liked the interesting perspectives. Such as the fact that Sandi's local postman and the prime minister of Denmark sat beside each other at Sandi's father's funeral! Or, the fact Sandi knew a man who was to be punished for murdering someone he did not murder. However, this man had murdered someone else in the past, and got away with it, so he thought it was fair enough he was punished regardless of the fact it was for the correct murder.
○ I did like reading about Sandi's schooldays, and her observations about people on pubic transport.
< N E G A T I V E S > :
○ On at least three occasions, Sandi implied two close friends in history where potentially sapphic or achillean couples, but couldn't express that at that time in history. I know that it is simply a fact that sort of thing did happen, but to theorise about specific real people's personal lives, albeit people who have since died, in a printed book, seems invasive to me! I got the uncomfortable feeling that she wouldn't have done this, and as many times as she did, if she herself was not sapphic.
○ Sandi continuously brought up that so many streets that she passed were named after men. Yes, it's unfortunate that that was how it was in history, but she seemed to mention it far too many times. Sandi also said famous men's wives tend to be more interesting than their husbands. Pathetic. Sandi also said 'females' more than once. Ironically 'females', which is a adjective used as a noun, which in my opinion is derogatory to do, I associate with a certain type of men who create podcasts, than feminist women, which Sandi would claim to be! She later referred to female as the 'fairer sex', whatever that's supposed to mean. (I Googled it, it simply means 'womankind', but I presumed it was something about women being 'fairer' than men and I thought that was a pretty stupid thing to say).
○ Despite being in her 60s herself, I don't think this justifies Sandi referring to old people as looking like they are to 'die soon', 'on their last outing' and 'a face that shrinks from his teeth'.
○ There were far too many name drops, I know this is a famous person's autobiography, but this does not mean every person who reads it knows of all of Sandi's famous friends. Even a couple of words, in brackets if need be, to describe the occupations of these people would not only be useful, but humble! The only names I knew were Alan Sugar and Ant and Dec.
○ Despite being ethnically Danish and British, having dual nationality, a parent from each country, and having lived in each country, there was only one word in Danish in the whole book, which seems a little strange to me. Even stranger, this word is, of all words, 'rubber chicken'. ('Gummi kylling', which I only remembered because it looks like 'gummy killing'....)
< N E U T R A L > :
○ Personally I did not like the non-chronological bus route writing style, but it is different, memorable etc.
○ I would've really liked to hear her opinion on wives taking their husbands surnames at marriage, and more than that, the wife also dropping her own. For being a feminist, and mentioning feminism so much, I'm surprised Sandi didn't bring this up. I would've especially liked to hear her opinion considering Sandi has dual nationality, (if her children would have taken her wife's surname, Sandi's Danish-ness would be erased!) and has been married twice (had her opinion changed since the first marriage?) and in sapphic relationships (the lack of a man, means who takes whose surname, and who drops theirs?).
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ D E T A I L S
○ WRITTEN ON: E300623
TRANSCRIBED ON: A100723
○ HOURS TAKEN TO READ: 10 hours, 27 minutes
RATING: ☆ ☆ ½ (rounded up to three stars because Goodreads does not have a half star option)
I can not recommend this book more highly. An engaging, bright, sparky, insightful and often emotional (literal and figurative) journey which will have you laughing out loud and despairing in equal measures. Each chapter explores part of the route of the No12 bus with clever segues between historical fact, tales from Sandi’s life and observations about life, the universe and fellow bus passengers. While the bus journey is linear, the memoir components blend into the story in a seamless fashion which avoids a the chronological drudgery that can mark out a memoir.
With many thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Publishing for an ARC in consideration of an honest review
With many thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Publishing for an ARC in consideration of an honest review
challenging
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
an interesting mix of essays that include a small level of memoir.
Came across this by accident and so glad I did.
Sandi has been around in my viewing life since Number 73 ( which I always got confused with 64 Zoo Lane) right up to her recent documentary on adults who couldn't read (yes, she made me cry).
The format of this book is quirky but hugely enjoyable.
I too look up when on public transport or on foot and love the history of whatever place I'm in.
Two bits stand out for me but I will not utter spoilers; holding hands at the Moon Landing and sailing with John Mcarthy.
I met him once, just after his release when I was a lowly orthopaedic Junior Officer in the RAF; Sandi's right. He does have a lovely smile.
Sandi has been around in my viewing life since Number 73 ( which I always got confused with 64 Zoo Lane) right up to her recent documentary on adults who couldn't read (yes, she made me cry).
The format of this book is quirky but hugely enjoyable.
I too look up when on public transport or on foot and love the history of whatever place I'm in.
Two bits stand out for me but I will not utter spoilers; holding hands at the Moon Landing and sailing with John Mcarthy.
I met him once, just after his release when I was a lowly orthopaedic Junior Officer in the RAF; Sandi's right. He does have a lovely smile.
I listened to the audiobook and I'm now very sad I'm done with it. I'll miss having Sandi along with me on walks and car rides as she tells me all number of things.
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
I loved every syllable of this book!
I find Sandi Toksvig to be one of the most erudite, pithy and hilarious writers I have ever read, and this book is no disappointment.
Who else would pen a memoir that weaved around stops on the Number 12 bus in London? Not only do you learn about Sandi's life and the challenges and experiences she has had, you also learn a considerable amount about the history of the areas surrounding the Number 12 bus stops. Most of this history does not concern women and this is a bit of a bugbear for Sandi (and rightly so).
There were times when I could not stop giggling when reading - she writes as she speaks, so the prose is snappy, sharp and at times hilarious while also alerting the reader to the inequalities and admissions throughout history of the contribution of women.
Very highly recommended, especially if you want to read a book that feels like a big kindly hug.
I find Sandi Toksvig to be one of the most erudite, pithy and hilarious writers I have ever read, and this book is no disappointment.
Who else would pen a memoir that weaved around stops on the Number 12 bus in London? Not only do you learn about Sandi's life and the challenges and experiences she has had, you also learn a considerable amount about the history of the areas surrounding the Number 12 bus stops. Most of this history does not concern women and this is a bit of a bugbear for Sandi (and rightly so).
There were times when I could not stop giggling when reading - she writes as she speaks, so the prose is snappy, sharp and at times hilarious while also alerting the reader to the inequalities and admissions throughout history of the contribution of women.
Very highly recommended, especially if you want to read a book that feels like a big kindly hug.
Reading this was as satisfying as settling down on a comfy sofa with Sandi herself and discussing anything that came to mind. A memoir held together by scattershot memories and trivia, which is my ideal kind of memoir.
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced