My favourites were Travels with Myself and Another by Martha Gellhorn. Martha is a famous American journalist and writes very sarcastically and entertainingly about the worst places she has ever been,mostly in the 40s and 50s. China during the Civil War in the 1940s was the worst. Worst companion prize went to her African safari driver who couldn't drive and hated the countryside.
Transwonderland by Noo Saro Wira was my other favourite, about her home country of Nigeria. Noo's father was the murdered democracy campaigner Ken Saro Wira. She writes very movingly about her love for her country, but her frustrations with it's corrupt politics and endemic poverty.
I like travel books that discuss the politics and history of places, looking beneath the surface rather than many which seem to be about 'aren't they funny here' or 'my dream cottage in Provence'. I am also annoyed by priveliged people going out to discover themselves or partake in a spiritual journey, grossly self indulgent.
2 comments:
I'm reading a women traveling book right now! The Enchanted April. It takes place in the 20's (I think) and is about women from England going to Italy for a month. So far nearly all the characters are terrible people and I hate them a little, but also I can't stop reading, and I'm not sure if there is an actual plot other than hoping maybe they will become a little less terrible.
Haha! Here's hoping.
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