The number one non-fiction read that made John Cleese and Danny Wallace laugh and Terry Wogan and Richard Briers cry. If you think writing a guidebook is easy, think again… A family's 8,000 miles round Britain in a Vauxhall Astra they were bored, broke, burned out and turning 40, so when Ben and Dinah saw the advert looking for a husband and wife team with young kids to write a guidebook about family travel around Britain, they jumped at the chance. With naïve visions of staring moodily across Coniston Water and savouring Cornish pasties, they embark on a mad-cap five-month trip with daughter Phoebe, four, and son Charlie, two, embracing the freedom of the open road with a spirit of discovery and an industrial supply of baby wipes.
Are We Nearly There Yet?
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
'disastrous five-month trip around Britain with two small children. The object... to write a travel guide.' -- The Bookseller, 29th April 2011
'mad-cap five-month tour of Britain... it turns out not to be quite the odyssey they had expected.' -- The Bookseller, 13th May 2011
"Ben Hatch makes me laugh." -- John Cleese
"A voyage of pain, suffering, argument, baby wipes, discovery and utter delight...Never travel in a car with children without this book by your side." -- Sir Terry Wogan
"A funny, touching cross country jaunt that's as much about being a kid as it is about being a grown up." -- Danny Wallace
“A wonderful book - hilarious and moving, all at the same time. Highly recommended for anyone with a family, a car or a sense of humour." -- Sophie Kinsella
“This is about a living, loving, occasionally quarrelsome but clearly very happy marriage and it felt curiously life-affirming to read about it. It’s very warts and all, extremely funny, very human and very sad. If you liked One Day or just like good books in general, don’t let this one pass you by.” -- Jenny Colgan
"Funny, touching and so, so, true to life. The must read of the year!" -- Mike Gayle
"Refreshing, insightful, very funny." -- Joanne Harris
"A wonderful book. Terribly moving and so so funny." -- Richard Briers
"Brilliant. Outnumbered in a car. I absolutely loved it. Funny, honest and moving." -- Tim Brooke-Taylor
“Very funny and equally moving. Ben Hatch is one of my favourite writers.” -- Lisa Jewell
"If you're dreading a weekend car trip with small children this book can't fail t`o cheer you up." -- The Mirror
"Hatch humorously recounts his 8000 mile odyssey round Britain with his wife and two small children." -- The Times
'mad-cap five-month tour of Britain... it turns out not to be quite the odyssey they had expected.' -- The Bookseller, 13th May 2011
"Ben Hatch makes me laugh." -- John Cleese
"A voyage of pain, suffering, argument, baby wipes, discovery and utter delight...Never travel in a car with children without this book by your side." -- Sir Terry Wogan
"A funny, touching cross country jaunt that's as much about being a kid as it is about being a grown up." -- Danny Wallace
“A wonderful book - hilarious and moving, all at the same time. Highly recommended for anyone with a family, a car or a sense of humour." -- Sophie Kinsella
“This is about a living, loving, occasionally quarrelsome but clearly very happy marriage and it felt curiously life-affirming to read about it. It’s very warts and all, extremely funny, very human and very sad. If you liked One Day or just like good books in general, don’t let this one pass you by.” -- Jenny Colgan
"Funny, touching and so, so, true to life. The must read of the year!" -- Mike Gayle
"Refreshing, insightful, very funny." -- Joanne Harris
"A wonderful book. Terribly moving and so so funny." -- Richard Briers
"Brilliant. Outnumbered in a car. I absolutely loved it. Funny, honest and moving." -- Tim Brooke-Taylor
“Very funny and equally moving. Ben Hatch is one of my favourite writers.” -- Lisa Jewell
"If you're dreading a weekend car trip with small children this book can't fail t`o cheer you up." -- The Mirror
"Hatch humorously recounts his 8000 mile odyssey round Britain with his wife and two small children." -- The Times
From the Author
How my wife and I came to argue over which was the better owl - barn or tawny. How you change a nappy using nothing but a KFC Lemonfresh wipe. How to cope with a tortoise-phobic wife who drives like Mr Magoo. How to steal hotel buffet breakfasts and turn them into lunch. What to do when your trousers are so crusty with dirt you do not so much take them off at night as ....lean them up against things. How to cope with a car crash, a kidney stone, a nature wee in field of live ordnance, bat attacks and confrontations with puff adders, a Nazi and Billie Pipper's pyjamas. This is the story of how my family survived 8000 miles in a Vauxhall Astra.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By Liz Lord
Format:Paperback
Ben Hatch's description of his journey around Britain with his wife Dinah and their adorable little children is hilarious and very touching. No-one who has experienced the total tyranny of little children can fail to be amused. The scene where Ben is being bullied by his daughter's cardigan is pure comedy. This fun is juxtaposed with the sadness of Ben learning that his father only has weeks to live. Ben writes about the pain and disbelief at this impending and ultimate personal loss with great sensitivity.
I read the book in one sitting and then immediately read it again more slowly. It was just as good the second time.
I read the book in one sitting and then immediately read it again more slowly. It was just as good the second time.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Neal
Format:Kindle Edition
I bought this as a present for my wife, but after spending ages looking over her shoulder every time she laughed out loud at what she was reading, she let me have it first. And I'm glad she did. The Hatch family are hilarious, and all too recognisable for anyone with kids. But it's not cutesy 'kids do the funniest things' funny, it's proper real family life funny. And with the laughs there's sadness too. It's the emotional weight this brings though that keeps you thinking about the book when you're not reading it...
As for the title of this review -- once you've finished laughing and squirming over the toothbrush incident, you might think twice before putting one in your mouth ever again. Despite that, I can't recommend this enough. Brilliant!
As for the title of this review -- once you've finished laughing and squirming over the toothbrush incident, you might think twice before putting one in your mouth ever again. Despite that, I can't recommend this enough. Brilliant!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've never read anything like this before, didn't think I would, but having been tweeted into submission I duly clicked and bought. Money very well spent as it turned out.
The passages about the attractions themselves are full of dry humour as well as being interesting and informative, but this book is essentially a privileged glimpse into the very personal world of one family. As their journey round Britain pans out, we see them at their lowest points as well as their highest. The funny bits are laugh-out-loud, the sad bits bring a tear to the eye, and all of it is truly memorable.
I think what makes this story special is the emotional truth with which it is told. A lovely read, and one with universal appeal.
The passages about the attractions themselves are full of dry humour as well as being interesting and informative, but this book is essentially a privileged glimpse into the very personal world of one family. As their journey round Britain pans out, we see them at their lowest points as well as their highest. The funny bits are laugh-out-loud, the sad bits bring a tear to the eye, and all of it is truly memorable.
I think what makes this story special is the emotional truth with which it is told. A lovely read, and one with universal appeal.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I was lucky enough to be sent this book for review, and to be honest I was a little scared at the prospect. My geography is horrendous, I have never been to London (I am 30!) and I worried I would not understand references in the book.
This book reads like a comedy of family life, a memoir and a travel guide, all wrapped into one attractive striking red cover. I could not put this book down. I myself have 2 under 4's and own a Vauxhall Astra! Ha ha. I laughed out loud at the wonderful antics of the children, Phoebe and Charlie. They are intelligent, willful, adorable, frustrating and heart warming all in one, which is exactly what a child should be.
I laughed out loud at the poo incidents, 'stinky' car (mine is a Health Hazard waiting for NASA to investigate at present) and the general normal, funny aspects of this wonderful family as they travelled 8000 miles, making a guide book for Frommers.
Throughout the book, author Ben Hatch weaves into these lighthearted antics and frustrating, tiring days, a story about his family. His mum's death, his sometimes strained relationship with his father, his marriage issues, and his famous father's battle with cancer. When Ben talks about being scared that soon no-one will be 'above him' to see him through life, I cried. Lots. His candidness and laying out of himself, warts and all, endears him to your heart. Dinah, his wife, is also a strong character in the book, his partner in crime, and her tortoise phobia is so funny I again cried, tears of laughter this time.
I won't ruin the ending for you, but I read this book, devoured it, and am now reading it again. This book has it all, it's the kind of book that stays with you afterwards.... Read more ›
This book reads like a comedy of family life, a memoir and a travel guide, all wrapped into one attractive striking red cover. I could not put this book down. I myself have 2 under 4's and own a Vauxhall Astra! Ha ha. I laughed out loud at the wonderful antics of the children, Phoebe and Charlie. They are intelligent, willful, adorable, frustrating and heart warming all in one, which is exactly what a child should be.
I laughed out loud at the poo incidents, 'stinky' car (mine is a Health Hazard waiting for NASA to investigate at present) and the general normal, funny aspects of this wonderful family as they travelled 8000 miles, making a guide book for Frommers.
Throughout the book, author Ben Hatch weaves into these lighthearted antics and frustrating, tiring days, a story about his family. His mum's death, his sometimes strained relationship with his father, his marriage issues, and his famous father's battle with cancer. When Ben talks about being scared that soon no-one will be 'above him' to see him through life, I cried. Lots. His candidness and laying out of himself, warts and all, endears him to your heart. Dinah, his wife, is also a strong character in the book, his partner in crime, and her tortoise phobia is so funny I again cried, tears of laughter this time.
I won't ruin the ending for you, but I read this book, devoured it, and am now reading it again. This book has it all, it's the kind of book that stays with you afterwards.... Read more ›
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Liz Ward
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book will have you from the first page. It's amusing yet touching, exploring family relationships at all levels as well as giving a real insight into the tourist attractions in Britain. I wish I had been brave enough to do something like this and to carry on despite all the obstacles. I really look forward to the french sequel!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
Ben's writing is excellent. This book is funny and poignant and the event of his father's death was so, so moving. So moving in fact, I cried as I read it.
HOWEVER
Something about this struck me as anachronistic and has been nagging away at me. With Ben's father such a well known figure, it is well established that he died in 2007. And yet, he has a 4 year old son. I know this because I have seen an article written by Ben on the Telegraph website when he was doing Scotland in 2008 and his son was only 8 weeks old. This means his son was not alive when his father died. And therefore a good chunk of this book never actually happened. Other cultural references suggest that this took place much later than 2007 - iPhones were not commonplace in 2007, his wife watches What Katie Did Next which didn't screen until 2009 nor was Wi-fi that common back then either.
Knowing these things makes me query the whole basis of the book. The main theme is their trip set against the background of his father's illness and subsequent demise yet it is unlikely that they were actually travelling when he died. This makes me wonder why you would write about something so personal as a death of your parent and basically lie about it, all in the name of selling books. That doesn't sit right with me and has spoiled my enjoyment of this book.
HOWEVER
Something about this struck me as anachronistic and has been nagging away at me. With Ben's father such a well known figure, it is well established that he died in 2007. And yet, he has a 4 year old son. I know this because I have seen an article written by Ben on the Telegraph website when he was doing Scotland in 2008 and his son was only 8 weeks old. This means his son was not alive when his father died. And therefore a good chunk of this book never actually happened. Other cultural references suggest that this took place much later than 2007 - iPhones were not commonplace in 2007, his wife watches What Katie Did Next which didn't screen until 2009 nor was Wi-fi that common back then either.
Knowing these things makes me query the whole basis of the book. The main theme is their trip set against the background of his father's illness and subsequent demise yet it is unlikely that they were actually travelling when he died. This makes me wonder why you would write about something so personal as a death of your parent and basically lie about it, all in the name of selling books. That doesn't sit right with me and has spoiled my enjoyment of this book.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 19 reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
On the road to Wadcrag. Or maybe not.
"The road didn't go through Wadcrag, I'd said. 'If you've been through Wadcrag you must be close,' she'd said. 'Have you seen the sign? ... Read more
Published 2 hours ago by Joseph Haschka
3.0 out of 5 stars
Hurried
I found the book very enjoyable, but at times it was very rushed. Not sufficient time spent at various locations to savour the moments that they deserved.
Published 19 hours ago by Wulfrunian
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fear of Turtles Like Never Before...
I don't know about you but once I read the first couple of pages of a book, I tend to know there and then whether I am going to like it or not. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Sarah Broadley
5.0 out of 5 stars
funny in places but it will also tug your heart strings
Well, who d have thought it? A travel book that had me laughing out loud one moment then I was bracing myself for the inevitable sad ending that was was coming.. Read more
Published 4 days ago by jill in Derby
2.0 out of 5 stars
Hmmm
Couldn't get into this book, managed about 3 or 4 chapters then lost interest. Characters didn't appeal to me and book didn't seem to flow...
Published 6 days ago by Carl S
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic book
this book is fantastic,sad in places but very funny in others.The toothbrush incident had me crying with laughter on the beach !
Published 8 days ago by pottsy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Some great laughs
Some great laughs and a few surprises.
Fun to read about local places and places already visited.
Would recommend reading.
Fun to read about local places and places already visited.
Would recommend reading.
Published 9 days ago by Read the reviews!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Witty & Wry with a touch of sadness
As the owner of an Astra, I had to read this simply to see if the author did manage to do 8,000 miles in the 'good ole boy'. Read more
Published 10 days ago by D M
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious and surprisingly sweet
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found myself laughing out loud on the Tube in rush hour. After a succession of depressingly earnest books this was a breath of fresh (or not so... Read more
Published 12 days ago by dibdibdobs
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best book I've read in a long time!
Are We Nearly There Yet is one of best books I've read in a long time. I spend my working days reading words on a page or on a computer so find it hard to get into books. Read more
Published 14 days ago by Graham Shaw
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
