It's Not About The Tapas
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Product Description
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"A hilarious account of an epic adventure around bike-mad Spain."
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'This true triumphant tale of her travels will appeal to anyone who's eager for adventure'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a wonderfully humorous introduction to Spain, not just in geography but also in culture and mood - I bought it before a recent holiday there and loved matching things I saw in the Spanish way of life to episodes in the travelogue. It is also particularly refreshing to have a travel writer who does not take herself over-seriously; she doesn't glamorize her destination but wraps you inside its amusing quirks and foibles. You come to understand and love rather than be amazed and impressed by Spain.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was a real disappointment. I bought it thinking I was going to find out about an adventure in Spain, but the fact is the writing is quite amateur, self-important, and at times, just downright offensive.
I have to agree with the reviewer who states that this is not truly a book about Spain but more a book about the author. Furthermore, it is in its essence three stories: one is about biking, another is about the people and places observed along the way, and the third is about history of the places. Too much of the writing, however, is ultimately about the writer.
The historical bits are sometimes interesting, and the tempo picks up in those sections, because the writing is more genuine. Sadly, the other parts are not terribly well-written and at times childish. Finally, they reveal a good deal about the writer, but what is brought to light isn't terribly flattering.
There are repeated incidents where the writer observes OAPs on holiday and refers to them as "the rinse brigade" or "fossils", as if all readers accept as common knowledge that the elderly are useless and that we are all judged by how young we are. Perhaps it's just me but I don't see why exactly this is supposed to be funny or entertaining, and I'm in my thirties, so I don't say this because she's referring to people like me.
She also goes off at one point about how a group of older women clearly have lost touch with fashion, all wearing black. She goes on for some time about it. As a child of parents from Sicily, I have to say, has she ever heard of tradition? These women aren't out of touch. They are widows, who dress in black because this is part of their tradition.
However, tradition is something Polly clearly forgot to research. Throughout the book, she rants and complains about one thing or another. One example is the fact that dinner isn't served until at least 9pm in Spain. That is life in Spain. Just accept it and move on. Complaining about something so basic is not interesting to read about. It's ground-level writing, making observations that offer no real insight. If she had taken the time to research the culture a bit before heading to San Sebastian, Polly might have saved herself six weeks on a bike and the rest of us a very disappointing read.
Lastly, Ms. Evans observations about many places she sees and people she meets are unflattering, and if this is truly such a dull experience for her, one wonders why she continues - or why we, as paying readers, should be expected to read on.
I wanted this book to be great, but it just isn't. I forced myself to continue reading, because I'm headed to Spain and was hopeful that I would be inspired and that the pace would pick up. It doesn't. Get yourself a bike and ride for 1,000 miles through Spain yourself - it will be less painful and infinitely more interesting.
I have to agree with the reviewer who states that this is not truly a book about Spain but more a book about the author. Furthermore, it is in its essence three stories: one is about biking, another is about the people and places observed along the way, and the third is about history of the places. Too much of the writing, however, is ultimately about the writer.
The historical bits are sometimes interesting, and the tempo picks up in those sections, because the writing is more genuine. Sadly, the other parts are not terribly well-written and at times childish. Finally, they reveal a good deal about the writer, but what is brought to light isn't terribly flattering.
There are repeated incidents where the writer observes OAPs on holiday and refers to them as "the rinse brigade" or "fossils", as if all readers accept as common knowledge that the elderly are useless and that we are all judged by how young we are. Perhaps it's just me but I don't see why exactly this is supposed to be funny or entertaining, and I'm in my thirties, so I don't say this because she's referring to people like me.
She also goes off at one point about how a group of older women clearly have lost touch with fashion, all wearing black. She goes on for some time about it. As a child of parents from Sicily, I have to say, has she ever heard of tradition? These women aren't out of touch. They are widows, who dress in black because this is part of their tradition.
However, tradition is something Polly clearly forgot to research. Throughout the book, she rants and complains about one thing or another. One example is the fact that dinner isn't served until at least 9pm in Spain. That is life in Spain. Just accept it and move on. Complaining about something so basic is not interesting to read about. It's ground-level writing, making observations that offer no real insight. If she had taken the time to research the culture a bit before heading to San Sebastian, Polly might have saved herself six weeks on a bike and the rest of us a very disappointing read.
Lastly, Ms. Evans observations about many places she sees and people she meets are unflattering, and if this is truly such a dull experience for her, one wonders why she continues - or why we, as paying readers, should be expected to read on.
I wanted this book to be great, but it just isn't. I forced myself to continue reading, because I'm headed to Spain and was hopeful that I would be inspired and that the pace would pick up. It doesn't. Get yourself a bike and ride for 1,000 miles through Spain yourself - it will be less painful and infinitely more interesting.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I only bought a copy of 'Not Just the Tapas' as it had been recommended by a magazine. I am very glad I did so as the recommendation was spot-on. This is the hilarious and enlightening tale of the authors trip around Spain on a bike. Even if you have no interest in cycling or the usual travel literature fodder you can't help but be charmed by Polly's narrative of her epic journey. Weeks after finishing the book, I still chuckle at the scenes where the author is chased by dogs, wild pigs and her various encounters with colourful characters along the way. Any references to Spanish history are either humorous or, suprisingly, interesting.
This is a highly enjoyable read and a great page-turner.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
What is it about then?
I read this whilst cycling around Andalucia (16 days, 700 miles fully loaded with tents etc) and found it very disappointing and increasingly offensive. Read more
Published 7 months ago by happyreading
Informative and entertaining
I have to start off by saying this is not a book I have bought. It was left behind in our house when we bought it and as it looked well thumbed I thought I would give it a go. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. Christopher Hughes
Good and Bad!
What I liked about this book was the inspiration it can give to tour around on a bike and some interesting historical facts blended in with it. Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2009 by Dr. A. C. Schluter
Very disappointing
For me, this book has been a bit of a struggle. It was quite amusing in parts but some of it was a bit OTT and I ended up skipping a few pages. Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2008 by Holly Fyfe
Awful
I bought this book because being from Barcelona and after 8 years living in the UK I thought it would be interesting to see what a British traveler made of my country. Read more
Published on 31 Oct 2008 by J
Excellent read
I don't know why some people judged this book so harshly. I admit there were times when she seemed somewhat bigoted but on the whole the book was thoroughly enjoyable. Read more
Published on 19 July 2007 by Judith Evans
You can tell she can write because she makes it look easy
I'd seen Ms Evans book about touring NZ on a motorbike - but only the cover, and as I was learning at same time, put it on my book wish-list. Read more
Published on 27 April 2006 by katrina_marina
ME TOO!!
The author is obviously an intelligent, articulate and ambitious individual and top marks to her for having the nouse to actually get up and go for it in an industry that must be... Read more
Published on 6 April 2006 by S. Warwick
Entertaining, lighthearted & enjoyable
I find myself very confused reading some of the reviews here and wonder if they read the same book as me.
I thought it was a lighthearted and amusing book. Read more
I thought it was a lighthearted and amusing book. Read more
Published on 2 April 2006 by venusintweeds
Good read
I'm not sure why this book garnered a few negative reviews. I was born in England, and, like the author, spent a few years in Hong Kong (1994-2000) and have lived in Spain now for... Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2005 by Mike Bailey
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