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The Srampagmano Tales Kindle Edition

by Scarlett Parker (Author), Faith Buck (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 34 ratings
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The Srampagmano Tales follows a group of cyclists on their annual pilgrimage from London to Brighton. Representing a wide cross-section of riders, they each share a tale of their own time spent in the saddle: from remote rides through the night to delivering packages in the City; from the existential deliberations of the grimpeur to the style choices of the fakenger.
Accessible even to those who assume they’re averse to verse, The Srampagmano Tales is a witty and knowing account of what it means to ride a bicycle, and the enduring joy experienced by cyclists everywhere.
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  1. Print length
    56 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    15 Oct. 2012
  4. File size
    758 KB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B009SKO6MG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ BringMeMyFix (15 Oct. 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 758 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 56 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 34 ratings

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
34 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book enjoyable and well-written. They appreciate the witty and humorous writing style. The illustrations are nice and beautifully depict modern cycling. Many readers find the book profound and insightful, with an impressive understanding of cycling.

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EnjoymentWitIllustrationsThought provokingNarrative style
15 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and well-written. They appreciate its clever, thoughtful writing style that evokes the joy of cycling. The author's passion for cycling is clearly expressed in the text.

"...Having enjoyed the book so thoroughly myself, I have since far given it to two people as early Christmas gifts - both of whom have gone out of their..." Read more

"...In short I really enjoyed this: it made me want to go out and ride!" Read more

"...book to non-cyclists, as it is rare in my experience for a book to so well communicate the sheer enjoyment that comes from riding, and also overlays..." Read more

"What an entertaining read. Brilliantly witty and humorous verse, observing the nuances of different cycling tribes...." Read more

11 customers mention ‘Wit’11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the witty and entertaining prose. They find the tales amusing and humorous, with an economy of verse that is breathtaking. The book is described as playful yet profound, with an excellent accompaniment to the text.

"...The writing is full of wit and won't fail to raise a smile from anyone with a connection to road cycling - especially in the UK...." Read more

"...At his best best Parker is highly poetic, really hitting the nub of what makes each cyclist do what they do...." Read more

"...An appreciation for subtle humour and pin-sharp observation are, however, requirements." Read more

"What an entertaining read. Brilliantly witty and humorous verse, observing the nuances of different cycling tribes...." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Illustrations’8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the illustrations. They find the modern cycling images and characters beautifully portrayed. The writing is described as Chaucer-like with a modern style, and the book is described as concise and humorous.

"...I should also mention the illustrations by Faith Buck, which are beautifully drawn and produced, each one telling you something about the character..." Read more

"...I thought the illustrations complimented the book well. Looking forward to more work from Scarlett in the future." Read more

"An excellent book with beautiful illustrations. This has clearly been written by someone with a great love of cycling...." Read more

"...will fail to identify with the ride or the characters - both beautifully portrayed with an economy of verse that is breathtaking...." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Thought provoking’6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and entertaining. They describe it as insightful, intelligent, and well-written. The author's in-depth understanding of the subject matter is impressive.

"...the same narrative verse as Chaucer's famous text" - it actually sticks in my mind and i enjoyed it...." Read more

"...Excellently observed. Laugh out loud funny yet so very profound at times. An excellent piece of work...." Read more

"...who don't know much about cycling will find it interesting and enlightening , and those that cycle a lot will enjoy, or be shamed by, the subtleties..." Read more

"This playful, yet poignant, parody of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is a cracking read...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Narrative style’3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the narrative style. They find it witty and humorous, with an impressive understanding of all cycling styles. The book provides an insightful overview of the cycling community and its various subcultures.

"...Brilliantly witty and humorous verse, observing the nuances of different cycling tribes...." Read more

"...The narrative and style adapts cleverly to the characters so you get a real sense of each type of rider...." Read more

"...An insightful overview of the cycling public and in places I thought Mr Parker had been following me as I can relate to some of the imagery..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Dan Rolfe Johnson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 November 2012
    Verified Purchase
    A kilometre apart from the usual cycling book - Scarlett Parker takes us on a journey through the myriad worlds of the road cyclist to the tune of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

    The delicately constructed pentameter is crafted with attention and care, meaning you are entirely wrapped around the storyteller's finger for the duration. Parker skilfully manipulates the verse to make the rhyme and structure surface in time for a few lines of brilliance, yet manages to make it almost invisible at other times. The book flows beautifully from character to character; slowly building a cast of road cyclists ranging from The Tester (timetrailist), to the Courier. The case for each cyclist is made, without snobbery or bias, and told with extreme care and humour - I enjoyed every minute of the book.

    The writing is full of wit and won't fail to raise a smile from anyone with a connection to road cycling - especially in the UK. I found myself sitting down to read for 15 minutes, and being so utterly absorbed that I read the whole book in one afternoon.

    I should also mention the illustrations by Faith Buck, which are beautifully drawn and produced, each one telling you something about the character and their environs. Buck has avoided being too 'cycling specific', and as such the drawings stand alone as wonderful work.

    Having enjoyed the book so thoroughly myself, I have since far given it to two people as early Christmas gifts - both of whom have gone out of their way to thank me and tell me how much they enjoyed the writing and illustrations. I'll be ordering a few more before Christmas!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Peter Biggs
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, will read again
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 October 2012
    Verified Purchase
    If, like me, you thought that a dissection of different types of cyclist in a Chaucarian style might not be your thing, don't be put off!

    Parker's power lies in his acute observation: this is clearly the work of a seasoned cyclist, yet the portrayal of the various cyclists never becomes condescending or partial. From the Lycra clad 'roadie' to the long distance randonneur, the characteurs cannily address each in turn; their motivations and foibles, their eccentricities and fears.

    While we may not like to be typecast, it's only natural to wonder which of the featured cyclists most resemble ourselves. At his best best Parker is highly poetic, really hitting the nub of what makes each cyclist do what they do.

    I love these lines from 'The Randonneur's Tale':

    "There is a certain place I like to ride
    To get there I spend many hours outside
    Beyond the pressing walls of time and space
    Without the agitation of a race"

    In short I really enjoyed this: it made me want to go out and ride!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Simon Lynch
    5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Chaucer
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 November 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Sorry Miss Card (GCSE English teacher), i can't remember any of The Canterbury Tales. Sorry great British literature, i didn't really enjoy it either!

    While The Srampagmano Tales is "Written in the same narrative verse as Chaucer's famous text" - it actually sticks in my mind and i enjoyed it. In fact, it's one of only two cycling related books i actually finished this year, despite buying about half a dozen.

    Having cycled the famous London to Brighton route a good few times, i couldn't help but smile when i see mention of various 'famous' locations along the way, e.g. "I've been to Look Mum No Hands!", "I've had a pint in The Evening Star in Brighton! - that place is awesome!", "I've been up Turners Hill! It sucks!".

    Already got it in mind for a few folk for Christmas.

    Hope you enjoy it as much as me
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  • Neil H
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incisive and funny
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 October 2012
    Verified Purchase
    As a lot of the other reviewers have said (mainly as I suspect they are all cyclists) one of the beauties of this book is seeing aspects of yourself reflected in the different characters.

    However I'd strongly recommend this book to non-cyclists, as it is rare in my experience for a book to so well communicate the sheer enjoyment that comes from riding, and also overlays the differing natures of the "heroes" of cycling, the Rouler, the Grimpeur and so on. It goes a long way toward explaining why cyclists do what they do.

    I suspect that this collection of tales is likely to be read mainly by cyclists- but it deserves a much wider audience as in no way do you need to own a bike to enjoy this delightful book.

    An appreciation for subtle humour and pin-sharp observation are, however, requirements.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Rob
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best £2 I've ever spent on a book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 October 2012
    Verified Purchase
    What an entertaining read.

    Brilliantly witty and humorous verse, observing the nuances of different cycling tribes.
    Most of the target audience probably fall into one of these tribes (I'd like to think I'm a Rouleur, but lets face it, I'm probably a Fakenger...) and I couldn't help but laugh out loud at some of the stereotypes.
    Excellently observed. Laugh out loud funny yet so very profound at times. An excellent piece of work.
    I read through the first sitting rather quickly, but within an hour I was skipping through it again.
    I have since read it a third time, highlighting my favourite verses. I thought the illustrations complimented the book well.

    Looking forward to more work from Scarlett in the future.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Patrick Brown
    3.0 out of 5 stars fun read which will appeal especially to modern active cyclists
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 July 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A short, fun read which will appeal especially to modern active cyclists. I recognised quite a few of the problems the various colourful characters encountered in their sport.
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  • William Fooks
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth a second read!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 October 2012
    Verified Purchase
    This excellent book is composed in a clever, thoughtful, yet entertaining prose. It was a one-sitting read.. Mr Parker shows an in-depth and impressive understanding of all styles of cycling. The narrative and style adapts cleverly to the characters so you get a real sense of each type of rider. Readers who don't know much about cycling will find it interesting and enlightening , and those that cycle a lot will enjoy, or be shamed by, the subtleties within.

    The e-version is the best £2 I've ever spent (!) but I will be buying this in hardcopy and it will be taking pride of place in the book self. Cannot recommend it enough. Enjoy!
    One person found this helpful
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