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A Land of Two Halves: An Accidental Tour of New Zealand (Paperback)

by Joe Bennett (Author)

3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

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Product details

Paperback: 314 pages
Publisher: Scribner; New edition edition (3 May 2005)
Language English
ISBN-10: 074326357X
ISBN-13: 978-0743263573
Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 2.4 cm

Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 7,788 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Popular in these categories:

#4 in	Books > Travel & Holiday > Countries & Regions > Australia & New Zealand > New Zealand
#8 in	Books > Travel & Holiday > Countries & Regions > Australia & New Zealand > Australia
#92 in	Books > Travel & Holiday > Travel Writing

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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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Inside This Book (Learn More)

Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover

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	67% buy the item featured on this page: A Land of Two Halves: An Accidental Tour of New Zealand 3.3 out of 5 stars (13) �4.94
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	9% buy Explore New Zealand: Over 60 Scenic Driving Tours (NE) 4.6 out of 5 stars (5) �9.49
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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

Average Customer Review

3.3 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good vintage - light on the palate with a lingering and very pleasing aftertaste, 20 Jul 2006

By	Willem Vink "daan42" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

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28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable way to find infomation on New Zealand, 16 Nov 2004

By	"cornubian" - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Land of Two Halves: Looking for a Lift in Both New Zealands (Paperback)

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.

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18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Zealand - A "must buy" book for visitors, 2 Mar 2005

By	Mr. Alastair S. Moir "amoir13" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Land of Two Halves: Looking for a Lift in Both New Zealands (Paperback)

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

3.0 out of 5 stars 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 3 months ago by Mr. R. Weaver

4.0 out of 5 stars 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

Published 4 months ago by Mr. T. S. W. Hazan

1.0 out of 5 stars Well there was one funny bit......
I think its the Daily Mail who describe this book as 'hilarious' - but its far from that I can assure you. Read more

Published 11 months ago by A. Evans

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun! Laughed my way through it.
This is a great book. My kiwi wife has always told me going to Invercargill is no good idea. Now I understand why. Joe Bennet writes short sentences, underscoring the puns. Read more

Published 14 months ago by mabolek

2.0 out of 5 stars A badly written let down that does a beautiful country no justice.
As I'm leaving for an extended working/travelling break in NZ I'm trying to poke my nose into as many books written about the country as possible. Read more

Published 15 months ago by Ms. K. R. Beswick

1.0 out of 5 stars What a shame.........
Having visited NZ briefly and just about to take an extended trip, I dived into the book to pick up tips of 'off the beaten track delights'. Oh dear this book is dreadfull!! Read more

Published on 24 Jun 2007 by NZ lover

4.0 out of 5 stars A hilarious and enlightening trip around New Zealand
Joe did, at 46, what others of his age would think the impossible; to tour the inaccessible vastness of New Zealand in the old traditional way - by hitching. Read more

Published on 9 Jun 2007 by Julian Fletcher

4.0 out of 5 stars Amusing travelogue
This is something of a caricature of NZ and I enjoyed reading it. If you don't mind the expletives it's a funny book which had me laughing out loud. Read more

Published on 10 Mar 2006 by Christopher Rosenberg

3.0 out of 5 stars A very odd journey...
This book certainly looks good... the idea of hitch-hiking as a way of exploring a country and its society is clever - you meet a lot of different people and get to see parts that... Read more

Published on 19 Aug 2005 by nicjaytee

1.0 out of 5 stars Better at beer than sightseeing
This book promises much; the inside cover stating, "Observing both the intriguingly named North and South Islands from the passenger seat... Read more

Published on 6 Feb 2005

› See all 13 customer reviews...

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