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gerbieMichael Palin – Reis om de wereld in 80 dagen (05-028)
I prefer not to read translations, but this time I fell for the mid-price edition, as the imported edition usually is overprized. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to read this book, as I considered it a spin-off from the similar television series, hence close to merchandise, not something I spent my money on.
But Palin can write, I loved his novel “Hemingway’s chair” so I decided to take the gamble. I was not disappointed. Obviously the book is written as a diary, while he is travelling for the first of many TV-series. The great thing about the book is that it gives a view behind the scenes of what everybody saw on television. You get to know how many takes were necessary for certain ‘unique’ experiences and how boring life on the road can be. The reader can relive the journey, based on the famous Verne novel; imagine what it is like to travel around the world.
On the other hand, the book isn’t that brilliant, it obviously has plenty of laughs, the comedian in Palin will never disappear, but his observations aren’t that deep, the fact that he has a team of producers arranging every step ahead of him, makes it feel like cheating, even though you know that it is inevitable in this world of television, where every second counts.
Nice book, not a top travel book though. Better watch the series on TV or DVD.
Number: 05-028
Title: Reis om de wereld in 80 dagen (Around the world in 80 days)
Author: Michael Palin
Language: Dutch (orig. English)
Year: 1989
# Pages: 195 (5121)
Category: Travel
ISBN: 90-4390-550-X
I prefer not to read translations, but this time I fell for the mid-price edition, as the imported edition usually is overprized. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to read this book, as I considered it a spin-off from the similar television series, hence close to merchandise, not something I spent my money on.
But Palin can write, I loved his novel “Hemingway’s chair” so I decided to take the gamble. I was not disappointed. Obviously the book is written as a diary, while he is travelling for the first of many TV-series. The great thing about the book is that it gives a view behind the scenes of what everybody saw on television. You get to know how many takes were necessary for certain ‘unique’ experiences and how boring life on the road can be. The reader can relive the journey, based on the famous Verne novel; imagine what it is like to travel around the world.
On the other hand, the book isn’t that brilliant, it obviously has plenty of laughs, the comedian in Palin will never disappear, but his observations aren’t that deep, the fact that he has a team of producers arranging every step ahead of him, makes it feel like cheating, even though you know that it is inevitable in this world of television, where every second counts.
Nice book, not a top travel book though. Better watch the series on TV or DVD.
Number: 05-028
Title: Reis om de wereld in 80 dagen (Around the world in 80 days)
Author: Michael Palin
Language: Dutch (orig. English)
Year: 1989
# Pages: 195 (5121)
Category: Travel
ISBN: 90-4390-550-X
