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The Killing Fields
Fair warning: This post describes crimes against humanity that are not for the faint-hearted.
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Caught Short By Short Shorts
In which we see the limited sights of Phnom Penh and receive help from our tuk-tuk driving adopted guardian uncle, Tom.
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One Of Our Thursdays Is Missing
Taking place almost entirely in the Bookworld, this story suffers a little for Thursday less strong than normal. As with all Fforde books, however, the finale ties together disparate plot elements well, this time with what feels like a funny pastiche of Heart Of Darkness.
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Gimme Shelter
In which we go in search for rabbits and find crabs, and experience first-hand the dubious quality of cheap construction methods.
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Sea Green
Take one sea, roughly chopped and add a small pinch of hot ferry. Throw in your pre-cooked monkey and shake vigorously. Leave for 2 hours, after which time your nausea will have risen nicely. Serve while green.
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Beach Time
In which we take it easy for a few days on the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc, off the south coast of Cambodia.
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Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?
A true classic that I should have read a long time ago, with brilliant characterisation of the major protagonists. The central question of what it means to be human is beautifully set up and then tantalisingly left unanswered, as Deckard realises he cannot honestly give the definition any more. The subtext that most things in […]
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Into The Rice Bowl
In which we venture into the Mekong Delta, find out lots about the rice industry, see rice factories and rice farmers, and try a local delicacy. With rice.
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First Among Sequels
Takes a while to get going, with a lot of exposition and a number of seemingly unrelated threads, but really sparkles in the last third as they are expertly woven together. Fforde’s appetite for metaphor and the subversion of narrative mechanics is seemingly boundless. This thinly veiled critique on modern society’s lack of attention span […]
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What Is It Good For?
A visit to Viet Cong tunnels and a distressing but important exhibition on the effects of war make for a difficult but interesting day.
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Super Sad True Love Story
A post-modern tragedy set during the decline of American influence. The protagonists are by turns vulnerable and infuriating, unable to take what they want, instead worrying more about a society that is collapsing around them. Lacks a satisfying conclusion to match the tense build up, reflecting the passivity of the characters.
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Bits And Pieces: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam
Thoughts, snippets and happenings on our first three countries that didn’t fit into other entries.
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Something Rotten
More laughs from Fforde with his customary punning and wit. He has built a funny and coherent narrative throughout the series and it is nice to have a resolution to some of the sub-plots here, even as other avenues are opened up. And where else would you find Hamlet, Emperor Zhark and The Jabberwocky all […]
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Kaleidoscope
A whistle-stop tour, starting early and taking in the sights of Mui Ne, is memorable for its colours.
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To The Lighthouse
In which we take a leaf out of Virginia Woolf’s book, or one of them at least, and head south on a scooter to see an site of special significance.
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Sh*t My Dad Says
This is clearly a book that came from Twitter. Many of the funniest moments come entirely outside the anecdotes, as Halpern adds a few choice quotes to the end of each chapter, without bothering to wrap a narrative around them. Luckily, there are enough good stories here to make up for the relatively poor writing. […]
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The Well Of Lost Plots
Another good read from Fforde, which benefits from a more compelling plot than his previous. It is fair to say he has mastered the genre, and perfected the art of ironically employing cliched narrative devices to great humorous effect. It’s a lot like cheating actually, but I can forgive him because it’s genuinely laugh out […]
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Charming Town, Cham Island
Hoi An has grown on me significantly since I arrived, reminding me that I shouldn’t judge things while tired, and giving me the chance to make a weak Greek pun.
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My Son, Hot Sun
Culture, Sun, Sand, Shopping, Beer, Friends, Food and Family: Hoi An provides the perfect day.
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Silence
Kayaking in Halong Bay, we find true silence and it is beautiful.
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Surprise Cave, Surprise Announcement
In which we tour Halong Bay, see a surprising cave and are accidentally fêted as newlyweds.
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B.I.R.T.H.D.A.I.Y.E. Spa
In which I accompany Emily Benjamin to a day spa for her birthday and leave with a new pair of feet.
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The True Story Of The Hanoi Hilton
In which we learn the truth about the benevolent treatment of the Imperial American Aggressors at Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi. They weren’t given champagne, but that’s only because they had bombed all the vineyards.
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Hanoi Blues
In which we are ripped off for transport, fail to see Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, witness a really really sick turtle and generally have a crappy day.
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Lost In A Good Book
Fforde goes further into narrative deconstruction than he did with The Eyre Affair, using books themselves as a device for exploring new worlds and new locations. Famous characters from every genre and period fly past in a literary whirlwind as he once again demonstrates his passion for the written word. The repeated reliance on coincidence […]
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The Eyre Affair
Like Pratchett if he had an obsession with Victorian literature, Jasper Fforde weaves a funny and inventive narrative in an alternative-reality England. With endless wit and a pun on every page, he manages to breathe new life into old classics, wrapping them in pastiche and satire while still showing his obvious love for all things […]
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From Laos To Chaos
In which we swap the serene and peaceful town of Luang Prabang for the Kafkaesque traffic nightmare of Hanoi, and learn the mating call of the common Vespa.
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Disconnected
Not having a connection is fine. Having one that works 20% of the time isn’t.
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Slow Cooker
On Laos cuisine, which is beautiful, if and when it arrives, even if it isn’t what you ordered, which is usually the case.
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Fall In Spring
In which we head to a waterfall, hone our reflexes by tracking the world’s fastest mosquitoes, and climb to the top of a hill for a view that’s better from the bottom.
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Outliers
Gladwell has the knack of taking a potentially dry topic and creating a strong narrative around it. Here, his contention that luck plays a significant part in extraordinary success is logical and well-researched, and full of interesting anecdotes to support his case. He might not understand Twitter, but here he is on fine form.
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Green River
In which we travel south down the Nam Ou river to Luang Prabang, are joyfully disarmed by local children and observe the Laos way to fix a broken boat.
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Howdy!
Technology and travel stories from a global roaming, kangaroo loving, sake drinking gaijin pom.
Check out my projects and my resume, take a look at some code on Github and feel free to contact me.