- Hardcover: 360 pages
- Publisher: Octagon Press Ltd; illustrated edition edition (April 1995)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0863040292
- ISBN-13: 978-0863040290
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14.6 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,955,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Sunday Times
"Nothing is what it seems in this extraordinary book. Shah is a brilliantly original writer...funny yet also compassionate."
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
45 million years ago, the supercontinent of Gondwanaland split apart. This created what are now known as India, Africa and South America. The huge landmass was named after the Gond people of India. Meeting a Gond storyteller on a visit to Bombay, Tahir Shah heard their ancient saga. He vowed to visit all three parts of Gondwanaland. As he travelled he met an extraordinary range of wanderers and expatriates, attended magical ceremonies and sought mythical treasures. Roughing it most of the way, Shah's expeditions move through sweltering India and Pakistan, Uganda and Rwanda, Kanya and Liberia, Brazil and finally Argentina's Patagonian glaciers.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Every page is an assault on the logical and systematic thinking of the average western mind. One has to suspend ones judgement to fully appreciate this book. It is best read with no preconceptions. But, if you are reading it merely to obtain vicarious joy through the author's experiences you will not fail to be entertained.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Tahir Shah explores the third world in an uncharacteristic way - willing, yea, almost desirous, to rough it at all stages. There are lessons about travelling, such as what happens when you trust the key to a flat to complete strangers. For Shah there is a gentle reminder from his sister that there are things more valuable than the proceeds of get-rich-quick schemes. The book also contains some rather disturbing characters - an African official capable of casual cruelty to animals, and two European men touring in South America involved in a sado-masochistic relationship. I was slightly disappointed that the book did not focus more on the Gonds and hitherto unknown links in ancient times between the components of 'Gondwanaland' - I expected the story to be more like Thor Heyerdahl's books, in view of the title. The story is certainly worth reading, but I would say that the author's later work The Sorceror's Apprentice is a distinctly better.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book after its subject matter - a journey round the super continent of Gondwanaland - caught my imagination. It was, however, very disappointing.
Firstly the author fails to fulfil his own brief: there is very little on Gondwanaland and what material there is seems added as an after thought rather than being the driving purpose of the journey. Second, it is full of implausibilites and unlikely situations; the characters Shah meets on the way are so incredible as to be untrue. Third, it is terribly paced with over a third of the book dedicated to Bombay, whilst the journey from Caracas to Buenos Aires only takes up 60 pages!
I could continue, point after point, with criticisms of the book - but by now you've probably worked out I wasn't very impressed with it. Originally, I was going to give the book a two-stars but the ending changed my mind. It is so absurd, so implausible that it left me feeling angry and cheated.
Not a happy reader!
Firstly the author fails to fulfil his own brief: there is very little on Gondwanaland and what material there is seems added as an after thought rather than being the driving purpose of the journey. Second, it is full of implausibilites and unlikely situations; the characters Shah meets on the way are so incredible as to be untrue. Third, it is terribly paced with over a third of the book dedicated to Bombay, whilst the journey from Caracas to Buenos Aires only takes up 60 pages!
I could continue, point after point, with criticisms of the book - but by now you've probably worked out I wasn't very impressed with it. Originally, I was going to give the book a two-stars but the ending changed my mind. It is so absurd, so implausible that it left me feeling angry and cheated.
Not a happy reader!
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