I am predisposed to like books about people taking long walks, so it's no surprise i liked this book. The author managed to walk across Afghanistan shortly after the U.S. invasion. His descriptions of the varying ethnic groups and the geography were really interesting. I also liked his crude sketches. I should try and sketch a little more when I'm out for a walk.
The author mainly relied on the kindness of strangers in his trek, for both food and shelter, which I think is a lot to ask for in such poor regions. He did pay people in many cases, but it still felt like there were a lot of points where he was bellyaching about his host's hospitality, which isn't exactly the best manners if you ask me. It was a good read, and I learned a lot.
There are a number of touch and go incidents, which leave you wondering how he managed to survive.
I probably won't read the book again but after reading it I want to go for a long walk.
So while reading a book review of "The Poisonwood Bible" I noticed that novel was compared to Mosquito Coast, which I had never read before - not only had I not read it, it had never occurred to me that it was from a book although it is quite obvious in retrospect. Anyway, I picked up a copy and am enjoying it a lot.
The other book that I am reading is an Annie Proulx novel, "That Old Ace in the Hole". I really like "The Shipping News" so though I should check out her other writing.
I just mailed off "Little Green Men" to someone in California. I got the book from Valerie somewhere on the East Coast, iirc.
I really like paperbackbookswap.com. The recent addition of being able to print postage really makes the whole thing dead simple.
If you join, be sure to tell them that I sent you.
BTW, I loved the book. I can't wait for someone to send me, "Thank you for Smoking" by the same author.
my own web site was taken deface tonight, what a pain
