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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Maybe this book deserves a second look, but when I read it back in 2005 I had two main problems with it: a) it struck me as extremely problematic (see the note under "Reactions" here for a very brief glimpse), and b) reading the second half was like pulling teeth.
Loosely, the story of who we are told via who we used to be. This is my favorite book. I get out of it that mankind is by it's very nature nomadic, and material possessions ultimately don't make you happy and just weigh you down. Maybe I'm reading (Ha!) too much into it.
I picked up this book because I had read about the documentary about Chatwin in a NatGeo article and his style of traveling intrigued me - walking everywhere. This was the first book available at my local library and so I picked it up, I enjoyed this one though this is told by a white man. I am glad that Chatwin’s tone isn’t disdainful of the native living and customs.
I liked reading about Songlines, Arkady’s job sounded very interesting and Chatwin’s journal entries were insightful. The stories about the native Australians were good too.
I really wish I could read something by a native Australian about their customs, the dream lines, their view on the Land rights etc. Till then I’ll have to make do with books like this.
Among things I learnt from this book include Chatwin’s notes about Mauritania, I hadn’t read anything about that place.
I liked reading about Songlines, Arkady’s job sounded very interesting and Chatwin’s journal entries were insightful. The stories about the native Australians were good too.
I really wish I could read something by a native Australian about their customs, the dream lines, their view on the Land rights etc. Till then I’ll have to make do with books like this.
Among things I learnt from this book include Chatwin’s notes about Mauritania, I hadn’t read anything about that place.
I loved this book. Chatwin is just such a cool person and his stories are amazing. I also really enjoyed the insight into Aboriginal history, which isn't something I know a lot about. I feel really inspired to learn more and travel more and just get into downright weird as fuck situations like Chatwin does. I gave it 4 stars just because the last 1/4 of the book goes into a weird flashback-y/excerpt-y style of writing that I didn't totally vibe with, but I loved it nonetheless.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Makes me wish I could hear the songlines. We should be poets and wanderers.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Wasn't a huge fan of the way this was written, mainly the 'notes' sections.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Well written, but more about the authors macho self fashioning than Indigenous culture and history. The philosophical notes which increasingly dominate in the second half are shocking and obviously ridiculous. Maybe back in the day people took him seriously?
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
My favorite sort of travel literature— it begins with a specific journey and expands to history, memory connections and philosophical musings. Even archaeology, theories of early man, and musicology mixed in to this one. And it comes home to the story/place at hand. The reader gets the sense of conclusion/completeness while still having the understanding that the journey continues. Chatwin grapples with what puts humans on the move, that itch to walk about. As someone with a constant case of itchy feet — it’s a question I care about and enjoy pondering through others travels. It’s also an interesting work of a post World War II generation working through the political situation of his time.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Racial slurs
The author of the book is frank in his observations of racial tension in Australia— so there are several instances of slurs recorded, but it’s clear the author is not supportive of the attitude. There is also a distasteful hunting scene — again the author is provides clear explicit description, alongside his distaste for the event