RETURN TO OZ - JOHN BROWN
Better known for his series of books 'The Original Teds', John Brown has turned his obvious powers of observation to travel writing.
His years spent within the music industry and general commerce have equipped him with an eye for the absurd. This first foray into the travel genre does him credit. The book is well researched, and even if you have never been to Australia, he has a way of carrying you along with his pace and descriptive prose.
This is a book in two section, the first details his original stay as a teenage £10 Pom, the second is a direct comparison with modern-day Oz. His journey takes him through three states, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, and is the better for it, rather than, as so many have tried to, take on the whole of Australia.
I particularly liked his fresh approach to what could so easily have been just another book on Oz. Due in no small part to his obvious inquisitive nature, he has unearthed some gems, like the chapter on the Sir William Wallace Hotel, which houses an entire wall- mural of the locals, each in their respective position within the bar - an absolute cracker!
Favourite for me though was his description of the 'Bridge Climb'. I don't think I've ever read a better piece of travel writing, certainly not a funnier one.
If you are looking to visit Australia take this as a second guide book, alternatively if you enjoy travel writing at its sharpest, you can do no better.
PS - At the back of the book is the listing for a great pictorial website to accompany this book, but I'll cheat and tell you what it is - [http://www.johnbrowninfo.com]
David Carlisle - C4U Review.
e-mail purple@satnet.me.uk
Better known for his series of books 'The Original Teds', John Brown has turned his obvious powers of observation to travel writing.
His years spent within the music industry and general commerce have equipped him with an eye for the absurd. This first foray into the travel genre does him credit. The book is well researched, and even if you have never been to Australia, he has a way of carrying you along with his pace and descriptive prose.
This is a book in two section, the first details his original stay as a teenage £10 Pom, the second is a direct comparison with modern-day Oz. His journey takes him through three states, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, and is the better for it, rather than, as so many have tried to, take on the whole of Australia.
I particularly liked his fresh approach to what could so easily have been just another book on Oz. Due in no small part to his obvious inquisitive nature, he has unearthed some gems, like the chapter on the Sir William Wallace Hotel, which houses an entire wall- mural of the locals, each in their respective position within the bar - an absolute cracker!
Favourite for me though was his description of the 'Bridge Climb'. I don't think I've ever read a better piece of travel writing, certainly not a funnier one.
If you are looking to visit Australia take this as a second guide book, alternatively if you enjoy travel writing at its sharpest, you can do no better.
PS - At the back of the book is the listing for a great pictorial website to accompany this book, but I'll cheat and tell you what it is - [http://www.johnbrowninfo.com]
David Carlisle - C4U Review.
e-mail purple@satnet.me.uk