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Independence Day: A Lonely Heart's Voyage Around the USA
 
 

Independence Day: A Lonely Heart's Voyage Around the USA (Paperback)

by Jim Keeble (Author) "She dumped me in the Honeymoon Capital of the World ..." (more)
3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Abacus; New edition edition (6 Dec 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0349112940
  • ISBN-13: 978-0349112947
  • Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.6 x 2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 1,059,171 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
Jim Keeble is a Brit with his heart in North America. At least, he was, until his Italian-Canadian fiancée Angie-"beautiful, funny, caring, bubbly, outgoing, vivacious Angie"--decided to chuck him. In, of all places, the world's number one honeymoon destination, Niagara Falls. Given the circumstances, surrounded as he was by thousands of euphoric newly-weds humping away in motel-rooms expressly designed for the pleasures of nuptial love, Jim Keeble did the only right and honourable thing: he ran away.

This, then, is an account of Keeble's ensuing emotional Odyssey, his epic schlep around the highways and byways of America, from the frigid Minnesotan heartlands to the frazzled Mexican borderlands to the fantastical Las Vegas NeverNeverlands, in search of serenity, dignity, tranquillity, and a possible bunk-up. It's a quixotic, rambling, dishevelled, mostly endearing tale, at once a light-heartedly laddish travel diary and also a heartfelt, funny-sad, very contemporary male confessional.

Of course, Keeble doesn't get the girl. Any girl. Though he tries the crab-fed Cornishwomen of Carolina and the long legged Croatian horsewomen of Virginia, though he tries "Yummy Mummies" in Brooklyn and silicon-breasted sophomores doing Spring Break in Daytona Beach, he gets totally nowhere, fast. But what he does get is a lot of first-rate material for this rather likeable, rather readable travelogue. Only question: whatever happened to Angie? She sounded wicked. --Sean Thomas --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
'INDEPENDENCE DAY is a funny and informative little book that manages to scrape the veneer off many of America's more ludicrous sacred cows ... he's written a damn funny travel book. You get the impression that he reports what the average American is really thinking. Scary' TIME OUT 'Keeble provides a light and breezy mish-mash of tour guide statistics, solid observations and chuckle-worthy one-liners. His simple scene-setting is effective and the characters he meets on the road are rendered with similar earnestness' THE TIMES 'A laugh out loud delight' SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY 'Jim Keeble is a Brit with his heart in North America. At least, he was, until his Italian-Canadian fiancee Angie-"beautiful, funny, caring, bubbly, outgoing, vivacious Angie"--decided to chuck him. In, of all places, the world's number one honeymoon destination, Niagara Falls. Given the circumstances, surrounded as he was by thousands of euphoric newly-weds humping away in motel-rooms expressly designed for the pleasures of nuptial love, Jim Keeble did the only right and honourable thing: he ran away. This, then, is an account of Keeble's ensuing emotional Odyssey, his epic schlep around the highways and byways of America, from the frigid Minnesotan heartlands to the frazzled Mexican borderlands to the fantastical Las Vegas NeverNeverlands, in search of serenity, dignity, tranquillity, and a possible bunk-up. It's a quixotic, rambling, dishevelled, mostly endearing tale, at once a light-heartedly laddish travel diary and also a heartfelt, funny-sad, very contemporary male confessional. Of course, Keeble doesn't get the girl. Any girl. Though he tries the crab-fed Cornishwomen of Carolina and the long legged Croatian horsewomen of Virginia, though he tries "Yummy Mummies" in Brooklyn and silicon-breasted sophomores doing Spring Break in Daytona Beach, he gets totally nowhere, fast. But what he does get is a lot of first-rate material for this rather likeable, rather readable travelogue. Only question: whatever happened to Angie? She sounded wicked.' - Sean Thomas, AMAZON.CO.UK REVIEW

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Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
She dumped me in the Honeymoon Capital of the World. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews
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 (5)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:
 (3)
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Average Customer Review
3.9 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars The more I read this book, the less I like it, 30 Jun 2001
By A Customer
I thought it was great to start with, then I read it again. Basing chapter names on some woman (Aki in Las Vegas for example) that you meet only fleetingly doesn't work. This book dates quickly however it's not all bad: there are aspects that I enjoy although they're less and less as time goes on.

Jim, I hope you're over her.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Very Funny Book - But Only Sometimes, 24 Mar 2001
Jim Keeble has written a very funny book - his observations on life in the USA are witty and sharp, and made me laugh out loud on many occasions.

The only problem is that in between the laughs you have to listen to Jim analysing his now finished relationship. The first time this is understandable, the second time is okay, the third time, fourth time, fifth time.....

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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Bryson with a Broken Heart, 24 Jul 2000
By p.j.robson@ncl.ac.uk (Consett, England) - See all my reviews
The guru of this style of travel writing is undoubtedly Bill Bryson, whose influence is overtly clear throughout 'Independence Day.' That is not to dismiss Keeble as a copyist however, for his sharp wit and wry observations are a delight to behold. This book has you cringing with pity one moment and laughing out loud the next. It is a balance which works tremendously well. I've travelled through America before and I've also had my fair share of girlfriend traumas. This book captures the highs and lows of both experiences with fine style and refreshing honesty. It's an absolute treat.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Keeble, the genius
Jim Keeble is a truly incredible writer and this novel is outstanding. It's so funny and so poetic. The central character may feel a little too sorry for himself, but he swans... Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2003 by steve rudd

1.0 out of 5 stars Pants, and I don't mean trousers
When Jim Keeble unwisely compares his oeuvre to Steinbeck's Travels with Charley, one can't help wishing one was re-reading that delightful travelogue rather than ploughing... Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars The Healing Process
I picked this book up recently due to reading about Jim in a newspaper article. I think he perfectly captures the levels we go through when trying to mend a broken heart. Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars hilarious,intelligent and moving
this great book ,made me laugh out loud so much people on the plane thought i was a raving looney. The observations of the US and its people are fantastically funny, the pain of... Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2000

3.0 out of 5 stars Funny, but....
I have mixed emotions about this book, because while I liked it very much and think the author has a great future, I had reservations--these being that, his moaning and groaning... Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars lovely
I love this book. Whilst I'm writing, I rarely read fiction therefore picked this as it professed to be a travel book. But it's so much more. Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2000 by freyanorth@aol.com

5.0 out of 5 stars Enthralling tale of love and travel and discovery
The immediacy of this book is striking. The author's depiction of lost love, the sleaziness of Las Vegas, the feel of a woman's enhanced breasts, I felt I was there. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars amusing and lighthearted
Keeble's chatty, man-in-touch-with-his-emotions style is ideal for the American travelogue and makes for very entertaining reading. Read more
Published on 26 Jul 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Independence Day is a story of how someone tries to come to terms with being dumped - an experience most people will be able to relate to. Read more
Published on 14 Jul 2000

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