- Hardcover: 324 pages
- Publisher: Scribner (6 Sep 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0743257138
- ISBN-13: 978-0743257138
- Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 13.4 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 691,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Miles Kington, INDEPENDENT
'I enjoyed it hugely - it's an observant, funny, cool, wise and witty book from cover to cover'
DAILY MAIL
'A brilliant wit. His viewpoint is refreshingly simple, deadly accurate and absurdly funny'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I first read this book a year ago, almost by chance; we were planning a 6-month stay in New Zealand, and the community library didn't have much else. Remember being amused by it, enjoying it a lot. Yes it is patchy and inconsistent, as another reviewer comments; what that reviewer fails to mention is that the book was written as a series of newspaper columns. It wasn't intended to be coherent; it didn't annoy me.
This is one of those books that make a bigger impact after reading than during. Whilst in New Zealand, it lingered in my memory. I felt I had a greater affinity with the place because of it. I've now bought it and am rereading it, with more pleasure than the first time. Because of the recognition.
I suppose Bennett is a cynic; he is also perceptive, and funny. To me, this is the best kind of travel writing: he's got an unerring eye for the countryside, puts real characters on the page, and enlivens it with interesting trivia and anecdotes.
One other thing: the first time I read the book, I didn't really appreciate what a fine writer he is, too. The prose is consistenly a pleasure to read. Which compares most favourably with the substandard dross that goes into 80% of travel writing!
This is one of those books that make a bigger impact after reading than during. Whilst in New Zealand, it lingered in my memory. I felt I had a greater affinity with the place because of it. I've now bought it and am rereading it, with more pleasure than the first time. Because of the recognition.
I suppose Bennett is a cynic; he is also perceptive, and funny. To me, this is the best kind of travel writing: he's got an unerring eye for the countryside, puts real characters on the page, and enlivens it with interesting trivia and anecdotes.
One other thing: the first time I read the book, I didn't really appreciate what a fine writer he is, too. The prose is consistenly a pleasure to read. Which compares most favourably with the substandard dross that goes into 80% of travel writing!
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having chosen to try and emigrate to New Zealand I bought several 'guide-to-New Zealand' type books. All we're useful, pretty well written and as dry as desert that has just spent two hours in a sauna.
This book is different, it doesn't advertise itself as a guide book and it doesn't read like a guide book, it is an excellent and funny account of a hitch-hike around New Zealand. However as you read Joe Bennett's account of his trip you learn a lot about the country and it's people,albeit from one ex-Brit's perspective, and have a laugh on the way. Some guide books have brought a wry smile but none have had me laughing out loud like this book has!
If you're considering traveling to New Zealand or migrating there then I recommend this book to you, it's an interesting way of finding out about the country. Buy it with a 'proper' guide book and you'll be doing well in your pre-travel research.
21 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
If you are to holiday in New Zealand or, like me, are thinking of a more permanent visit, this is a book that reveals so much more than the usual guide because it has been written by an "insider".
The author arrived in New Zealand with a view to staying for a couple of years at the most and has now been there for over ten. In this book, he sets out to discover what it is that has kept him there.
I particularly liked the humour which the author has brought to the subject but the reader also gets a feel for some of the politics and history of this fascinating Country.
The previous reviewer makes a great mistake when he suggests that this "sideways look" denegrates the people he meets on his travels. Far from it, his observations tell you a great deal about the outlook and attitude of those he travels with ( he hitch-hikes around the Islands). Indeed, this book was recommended to me by a native New Zealander who felt that it provided so much more information than the "normal" guide.
This is a real travelogue. You couldn't make up many of the people he meets and each provider of lifts has their own tale to tell.
By the end of the book, I felt that I knew a lot more about N.Z. and had shared his adventure. I have recommended it to friends who have no intention of travelling but have thoroughly enjoyed the read for it's humour alone.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Poorly written, and not a good representation of NZ
This book should have held my interest and been enjoyable - I also have visited New Zealand several times and lived there for a year, and seen a lot of the two islands, and I love... Read more
Published 2 months ago by knog1
Certainly not what I was expecting..
So the cover of the book initially promises a lot, an eye catching front cover and a great write up on the back, however, as many other reviewers of this book have stated, the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Max Lawless
Grumpy Travelogue
This book, by UK-born NZ resident journalist Joe Bennett, is about a hitchhiking tour around both islands of New Zealand. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Colin C
a cynical rant
I need to be honest here, I am a Kiwi who is living int he UK and have read Joe Bennett's short stories and enjoyed them. Read more
Published 7 months ago by akt
An utter waste of time and paper
Awful, truly awful, I struggled to get through this tripe, in fact I have not even finished it (i have three or four pages left). Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mrs. Joanna Louise May
Could have been much better
I got this as it seemed to be the only travel writing book about New Zealand I could find, and having lived there when I was much younger and thinking of maybe visiting again,... Read more
Published on 16 May 2010 by C88
easy reading
Very easy reading not much tourist type info but very interesting insights, and fab for anyone who is thinking of hitch hiking.
Published on 30 Mar 2010 by Mrs. N. D. Sinclair-fulham
Pretty good read
Pretty good read. The writer is a Jack Dee sort, has its funny quotes and makes me miss the place. Money well spent i think
Published on 28 Jan 2010 by Nathan Hulme
Insite on New Zealand life style
This is a witty book with great satire written in the Jeremy Clarkson style.. honest reviews of life and hotels, buildings etc. Worth reading before visiting New Zealand .. Read more
Published on 8 Aug 2009 by Mr. R. Weaver
Top of the South?
Enjoyed the reading part, and finished the book quicker than expected -didn't want to put it down.
From my limited experiences of New Zealand, I found that the author had... Read more
From my limited experiences of New Zealand, I found that the author had... Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2009 by Mr. T. S. W. Hazan
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