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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Tim Moore's first book, Frost on My Moustache had one reviewer setting him up as a "contender for Bill Bryson's crown as king of comic travels". That successful debut is now followed with this offering--a journey in the style of Byronesque "Grand Tours" of Europe. Travelling in a clapped-out Rolls Royce, Moore follows the trail of the first recognised British tourist of Europe, a 17th-century pastor's son named Thomas Coryate.
There is certainly something of Bill Bryson in Moore's style, and this book is reminiscent of Neither Here Nor There. He cracks similar slapstick quips and travels with a liberal dose of self-irony. His jokes are frequently brilliantly judged and have you laughing out loud.
Moore writes moving passages about Coryate and his ultimately tragic story, yet, in spite of its undoubted merits, Continental Drifter turns into something of a disappointment. By the end--perhaps because the first 100 pages are so good--it feels as though Moore could have done with a more severe editor. The book drags through the second half, when Moore's comic timing diminishes along with his enthusiasm for the journey--and I'm not just saying that because he coins "toby" as a new word for sewage. --Toby Green --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
There won't be a funnier or more original contender until Tim Moore publishes his next volume ... There hasn't been such a fresh voice among itinerant writers since Redmond O'Hanlon or Bill Bryson got started (SPECTATOR )
Regularly had me laughing out loud (SUNDAY TIMES )
His is a rare comic talent, and his debut a brilliantly sustained piece of travel writing (THE TIMES )
One of the funniest travelogues you will ever read (EXPRESS )
Regularly had me laughing out loud (SUNDAY TIMES )
His is a rare comic talent, and his debut a brilliantly sustained piece of travel writing (THE TIMES )
One of the funniest travelogues you will ever read (EXPRESS )
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Without doubt the funniest travelogue I have ever read. On the face of it the concept is a simple one, to follow the route of the 'first' Grand Tourist yet as the book progresses I was surprised by how little I knew of this fascinating historical phenomenon. However this is not just a hugely witty read as the book is also packed full of well researched facts and quotes which are intertwined cleverly to support his own journeys experiences. The down to earth honesty of his observations and ability to express thoughts which we've all had but simply cannot present so humorously allows the reader to really 'enter' the book and appreciate his perspective. Most important for me though is his ability to mix praise with criticism without becoming entangled in the Politically Correct fad which plagues so much of today's travel writing. Questions are asked and issues addressed which in some instances still remain very delicate but are dealt with sensitively rather than being trivialised through satire. I await the publication of French Revolutions with great anticipation, lets hope he can maintain the wonderfully high standard he has set himself.
Having to put the book down after the final page was a thoroughly depressing experience but if you fancy a chuckle which I suspect Tim Moore would share why not check the American reviews (amazon.com) where a couple of readers awarded a miserable 2 stars citing him as "an out of shape curmudgeon" and as being surprisingly difficult to comprehend despite an appreciation of Dickens .... cannon fodder for the next book I reckon!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was the third Tim Moore I'd read (after Spanish Steps and French Revolutions) and I enjoyed it as much as the other two. The author's observations and descriptions of his every day A to B is hilarious - not many books have had me laughing out loud on regular occassions. The research into the Grand Tourists of yesteryear is really fascinating as are the historical references throughout the book. Laugh a minute and you learn a lot - a great read.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Tim Moore clad in a purple, velvet suit and driving a clapped-out Rolls Royce, follows Thomas Coryate (The original Grand Tourist & travel writer) around Europe.
Learn words like drainscrote & chuffjuggler as Moore draws comparisions of his own misadavntures with those of his 17th Century guide.
You will need a bookmark however - as Mr Moore does write exceedingly long chapters.
Learn words like drainscrote & chuffjuggler as Moore draws comparisions of his own misadavntures with those of his 17th Century guide.
You will need a bookmark however - as Mr Moore does write exceedingly long chapters.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A good traveling companion
Tim Moore takes the reader on his variant on the Grand Tour....a well worn theme - however he certainly puts his own mark on it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by The Dunkirk Spirit
A yawn
This was the first Tim Moore I'd read, and it will be the last. I can't believe I'm going to be the the only one-star review so far. Read more
Published on 22 Aug 2009 by A. L. Kerr-phillips
Armchair travelling at its finest and funniest
This book is both witty and informative and should take pride of place in every thinking-man's library. The wry humour should be universally appreciated.
Published on 8 Nov 2008 by J. E. Holmes
a good narrator makes a great book the best
after reading a few readers' reveiws, i'd like to recommend the audio version narrated by Michael Wade. Read more
Published on 13 July 2006 by C. A. Abraham
Similar to Bryson
I hoped to find a more informed version of Bryson. I really enjoyed the tie-in of this travelogue with that of Coryate, the 'first Grand Tourist'. Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2002 by Ben the Doctor
Very much NOT his best book.
Maybe Tim Moore is the victim of the very high standard of the books that came before and after this one. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2002
Too rushed.
Frost on my Moustache had me in stitches - this has it's moments but it really. really feels like the publishers (or whoever) said "do another one, fast!". Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2001 by St. Mym
Marvellous
After reading and re-reading Frost on My Moustache (and doubtless greatly irritating my friends by continually quoting the best bits at them), I was delighted to find Tim Moore had... Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2001
More from Moore is still not enough...
This is an entertaining and witty travel book. Suffers slightly from a the author's attempts at wringing humour from every conceivable situation. Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2001
Funnier than a hot date with a walrus
After having loved and laughed at Moore's last book about travelling around Iceland ('Frost on My Moustache'), I begged and nagged a journo-friend to get me a review copy to take... Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2001
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