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matthewwester's review against another edition
5.0
Sooo... this book was actually great. And I'm slightly surprised by that because at first glance this appeared to be a stupid, immature, yet funny book. Yes, it certainly contains its fair share of sex and drinking anecdotes... but then it also contains these really brilliant sections on Icelandic history, economy, and culture. Who woulda thunk? Clearly the author knows his craft and how to write with a paced, interesting, unique voice.
dixiet's review against another edition
4.0
Hilarious, a must-read before visiting Iceland, or after coming home from Iceland, or if you just enjoy a really funny travel story.
jennyrpotter's review against another edition
4.0
If you can overlook some crude humor (think discussions about masturbation, bowel movements, etc.), you will likely find that this book contains many surprising tidbits that are both endearing and insightful. The author and his two buddies (all mid-20's guys) decide to spend a few weeks in Iceland, spending time in both Reykjavik and renting a car to drive the perimeter of the island. I actually really enjoyed 'traveling around' Iceland with these guys, and the author's appreciation for Iceland, Icelanders, and all that he experienced is obvious. Definitely not my first book about Iceland, and still I learned quite a few things. The author also touches on some deeper issues that I would not have counted on from this book, judging by its cover of a nude man running through a field, including mass glacier melting, the Icelandic financial collapse, preservation of resources, and social justice. The book is written in a colloquial, humorous tone that is easy and pleasurable to read. Four surprising stars!
susanreadstheworld's review against another edition
1.0
What as disappointment. I didn't expect great, but maybe ok. I got total crap. The writing ... It's hard to say how bad it is. The tone is fratboy and the content is just boring. This guy has no idea how to tell a story.
What as streaming pile of garbage!
What as streaming pile of garbage!
lizlogan's review against another edition
1.0
If you want an intelligent, well-written book then this is not for you. If you like books that respect women then this is not for you. This is the vile adventure of a dude-bro and his friends as they make fun of Iceland and try to bed its women.
bookwormadventuregirl's review against another edition
3.0
Read this while I was in Iceland. Finished it on the plane coming home. It is hilarious especially if you have experienced Iceland. Some of the story is just three young guys experiences but Markley describes things that are foreign to tourists, how they cope in navigating the Icelandic culture and manages to convey a bit of history and learning as well. Laughed out loud many many times.
llax11's review against another edition
4.0
I purchased this book to read prior to my trip to Iceland. Given it was written about a bunch of college bros traveling to Iceland, I didn't have high expectations ... which was good. It's certainly not a literary masterpiece, but it does add some value to those traveling to Iceland. I enjoyed the backstories and history regarding Pingvellir and the government monopoly on fishing that put small business owners out of business. I certainly didn't learn about that in travel blogs or books. It's a quick read & if you enter with appropriate expectations I don't think you'll be disappointed.
monty_reads's review against another edition
4.0
One thing I’ve learned over and over again from reviewing nonfiction books is that, more so than fiction, if you don’t already have a built-in interest in the topic, you’re probably not going to care about the book.
So I’ll keep this short.
Have you traveled to Iceland? Do you want to travel to Iceland?
In that case, read this book tout de suite (or however you say "immediately" in Icelandic). It’s smart and funny and vulgar and details a true excursion around the island from the perspective of a smart-ass twentysomething and his two smart-ass twentysomething friends.
But here’s the thing. This is Stephen Markley, author of Ohio, my second-favorite book of 2020. So we not only get tongue-in-cheek observations about the country and its people, we get deep dives into how Iceland rebounded from the 2008 financial crisis, how its economy changed in the 20th Century, how it’s the most feminist country in the world, and how the country itself was founded.
It’s both crass and sophisticated, and it’s a lot of fun. I laughed out loud several times while reading it, and I almost never do that because I’m no fun.
But you say you have no interest in Iceland as a travel destination? As well-written as this book is, then, it’s probably not for you.
There will almost certainly be sections of it that inform and amuse you, but I think the real value will be for people who have already traveled to Iceland. Markley captures the feel of the country – especially its nearly overwhelming physical beauty and the friendliness of its people – in ways that rang true with my own (admittedly limited) experience there. It was the next best thing to making a return trip.
So did I enjoy it? Absolutely. Will you enjoy it? Probably. But your mileage will vary depending on whether you’ve traveled to Iceland yourself.
So I’ll keep this short.
Have you traveled to Iceland? Do you want to travel to Iceland?
In that case, read this book tout de suite (or however you say "immediately" in Icelandic). It’s smart and funny and vulgar and details a true excursion around the island from the perspective of a smart-ass twentysomething and his two smart-ass twentysomething friends.
But here’s the thing. This is Stephen Markley, author of Ohio, my second-favorite book of 2020. So we not only get tongue-in-cheek observations about the country and its people, we get deep dives into how Iceland rebounded from the 2008 financial crisis, how its economy changed in the 20th Century, how it’s the most feminist country in the world, and how the country itself was founded.
It’s both crass and sophisticated, and it’s a lot of fun. I laughed out loud several times while reading it, and I almost never do that because I’m no fun.
But you say you have no interest in Iceland as a travel destination? As well-written as this book is, then, it’s probably not for you.
There will almost certainly be sections of it that inform and amuse you, but I think the real value will be for people who have already traveled to Iceland. Markley captures the feel of the country – especially its nearly overwhelming physical beauty and the friendliness of its people – in ways that rang true with my own (admittedly limited) experience there. It was the next best thing to making a return trip.
So did I enjoy it? Absolutely. Will you enjoy it? Probably. But your mileage will vary depending on whether you’ve traveled to Iceland yourself.
akanode08's review against another edition
1.0
I haven’t read a book this bad in a long time. This trip of white privileged males spend the entire time getting drunk, commenting on women’s breasts and asses, talking about masturbation, and just being overall idiots. I liked hearing about Iceland but this guy should not be writing books about traveling. Especially when his and his friends views on women are that they only exist to breed.
bookwormadventuregirl's review
3.0
Read this while I was in Iceland. Finished it on the plane coming home. It is hilarious especially if you have experienced Iceland. Some of the story is just three young guys experiences but Markley describes things that are foreign to tourists, how they cope in navigating the Icelandic culture and manages to convey a bit of history and learning as well. Laughed out loud many many times.
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