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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
This book was picked for one of my book clubs. I listened to 6% of the audiobook and while I loved the Irish dialect, I was incredibly bored by the words I was listening to. My understanding is that the book is taken directly from Murphy's diary entries while on her trip. I am just not interested in listening to a list of things that happened to someone during a day without any reflections or feelings whatsoever.
Just not for me. Your mileage may vary!
Just not for me. Your mileage may vary!
Dervla Murphy is a new-found heroine. This account of her travels wonderfully displays her courage and her determination. She writes with an engaging style and a glorious use of the English language. Her powers of observation are impressive and her ability to relate to those she encounters is heart-warming.
There is a special vulnerability for a woman travelling alone on such a journey but I suspect there is also a flip side in that being a woman makes her less threatening and producing in those she meets an inclination to trust and help that might be less forthcoming for a solo man.
This however does not diminish in any way my utmost respect for this unique and amazing traveller!
There is a special vulnerability for a woman travelling alone on such a journey but I suspect there is also a flip side in that being a woman makes her less threatening and producing in those she meets an inclination to trust and help that might be less forthcoming for a solo man.
This however does not diminish in any way my utmost respect for this unique and amazing traveller!
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
relaxing
slow-paced
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
I'm not sure this has aged well. The language and attitudes sometimes were quite offensive.
A fascinating travelogue by an amazingly resilient woman. Taken directly from her diary entries, there is little fluff to the narrative and yet it is engaging, harrowing, inspirational and enlightening. for sure it takes place in a far different time, but that makes it even more remarkable.
Why I picked it up: I like endurance stories, and the fact that the emphasis was on cycling made it even more attractive.
What I liked: Murphy has a great straightforward style with a willingness to really engage with the people she travels among. The result is a lot of interesting stories, mostly about Afghanistan and Pakistan (where most of the book is set). It's a book of its time (the 1960s) with discussions of communism, the impact of the Partition, and the growing impact of Westernization on Muslim nations. But it's also a book about hospitality (Murphy almost never pays for a meal) with a great deal of sympathy and empathy for the villagers who help her.
A few things I didn't like: The subtitle is somewhat misleading --- you really only read much about Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. In fact, the book ends quite abruptly shortly after Murphy reaches India. It's a well written travel diary, but don't mistake it for more --- you don't see overarching themes woven into the work. And there were times where I couldn't distinguish between some of the side trips and the main trip (the map wasn't helpful), but that may be due to my reading speed.
Definitely pick it up if you like down to earth travel books.
What I liked: Murphy has a great straightforward style with a willingness to really engage with the people she travels among. The result is a lot of interesting stories, mostly about Afghanistan and Pakistan (where most of the book is set). It's a book of its time (the 1960s) with discussions of communism, the impact of the Partition, and the growing impact of Westernization on Muslim nations. But it's also a book about hospitality (Murphy almost never pays for a meal) with a great deal of sympathy and empathy for the villagers who help her.
A few things I didn't like: The subtitle is somewhat misleading --- you really only read much about Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. In fact, the book ends quite abruptly shortly after Murphy reaches India. It's a well written travel diary, but don't mistake it for more --- you don't see overarching themes woven into the work. And there were times where I couldn't distinguish between some of the side trips and the main trip (the map wasn't helpful), but that may be due to my reading speed.
Definitely pick it up if you like down to earth travel books.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced