Halfway To Hollywood: Diaries 1980 to 1988 by Michael Palin

Everybody knows that I enjoy Michael Palin’s works – whether they be in book format, comedy or travel documentaries. This is the second book of Michael’s diaries, taking us from the end of Monty Python to A Fish Called Wanda and then onto an unknown horizon – Around the World in Eighty Days. This book also deals with some more serious issues – the death of his sister and mother moving out of the family home. However, there are some highs – Mrs Palin taking her first overseas trip to New York at age 80 and the success of various ventures (I have to see The Missionary now!).

Once again, Palin’s writing is brilliant, taking you to that era and making the everyday seem extraordinary and interesting – from parent-teacher meetings, to work meetings and travelling Concorde (okay, so that’s not so ordinary). It feels like he’s a regular, everyday Englishman who happens to act, write and perform very well. I was interested to read his trepidations before the 80 Days trip – he didn’t think it would be overly successful and Palin was a fourth or more choice. But as we all know, it started off some fantastic journeys. I loved reading about behind the scenes with Wanda and Meaning of Life (one of my favourite films) as well as ‘George H’ dropping by (that’s George Harrison of The Beatles). Ordinary man living an exceptional life.

I really enjoyed this book. I presume there won’t be any more published because the travel diaries have already been produced, but I suppose I can hope…

Read this if: you want to pretend you’re a cool British person in the 80s

8 out of 10.

Himalaya by Michael Palin

Everyone knows by now that I really enjoy Michael Palin’s travel diaries of his TV series (even though I have read more of the books rather than watch the series). Himalaya has spent some time on the bestseller list and it’s easy to see why. Palin and crew cover areas that the average person would be unlikely to visit and give you a warts and all experience, including what it feels like to have altitude sickness and meet the Dalai Lama.

I haven’t seen the TV series of this one, but I bet it’s majestic. The pictures in my copy covered spectacular scenery, as well as scenes from a different lifestyle (eg. catching fish and putting them down the front of your shirt). Once again, Palin’s style of writing is easy to read and easily transports you from your comfy chair to Nepal, Pakistan or Mt Everest. He is honest about when he’s not really liking something (like a bad cold going up to Everest) and truly delightful when he enjoys the experience.

I think I’m fairly unlikely to visit any of the areas Palin visited any time soon (my travel desires revolve around Europe, south east Asia and North America at present) but at least I can sound intelligent about the area thanks to Michael!

Read it if: you’re an armchair travel or are saving for your next trip. It’s not full of Monty Python references (sadly).

8 out of 10.

Mini Reviews: May 2010

These short reviews come from before I started blogging- they were recorded on sites like Library Thing and Goodreads. That’s why I’m giving you a month at a time!

So Much for That: A Novel by Lionel Shriver

Well, so much for that.
This book wasn’t what I thought it was going to be- an opinionated piece about America’s health care system. Sure, we get that it costs the individual a lot to be treated for cancer and that aged care homes are expensive (although not really that much different to Australia with the thousands in ‘care’ [as in 'we don't'] fees and bonds up to a half a million). But I digress- although I’m sure that the character of Jackson would be happy with that.
Essentially this is about life and facing death in several different forms and how everyone copes. Dark and serious in places, light and sunny in others. I enjoyed this more than The Post Birthday World but I don’t know that I’d tell you to go out and buy this. It’s well written, but don’t assume that it will be an easy ride. Much like life itself.

7.5 out of 10.

Old Sins by Penny Vincenzi

I think this is one of the earlier books by this author. It’s a bit muddled towards the end (yes, we know exactly what’s happened but wait patiently for the characters to realise) and a bit dated. Some of the dilemmas could have been easily solved with DNA technology and a mobile phone (had they been invented). There’s also a lot of sex involved, some of it a bit creepy.
All that aside, this is a great bonkbuster holiday novel. I would suggest starting with some of the author’s other novels first though.

8.5 out of 10.

New Europe by Michael Palin

Palin’s writing really transports you to Europe. From misery at Auschwitz to a fashion catwalk, I smiled and wiped away tears at various points. Very well written travel book with a good dose of history thrown in. Can’t wait to read some more of his books.  (NB. My first Palin!)

8.5 out of 10.

Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes

A delightful chick lit from the master, Marian Keyes. This sticks with familar topics such as single women in Dublin and life on a magazine. There’s Lisa, the reluctant new editor of Colleen magazine, Ashling the ‘ever prepared’ deputy and Ashling’s married friend with children, Clodagh. Add in a variety of nice sounding men and you’ve got a recipe for a bumpy ride.
I originally aimed to read this book on holidays but never got around it- instead, reading it during a very busy time. I suspect it would be good either way- easy to pick up and put down, engaging story and language that’s easy for a tired/relaxed brain to navigate.
My only criticism is that time seemed to fly after the launch party- months go by in pages- I suppose it had to end somewhere. I much prefer this to her latest book.

8.5 out of 10.

Playing the field by Zoë Foster

Fairly well written chick lit (with bonus extra adjectives) about a relationship of your average Aussie girl with high profile football (rugby) player. The plot doesn’t really advance beyond meet the boy, insecurities compared to other WAGs, problems with ex-girlfriend, repeat. The twist at the end wasn’t terribly plausible, but it was a bit different. Nice book, but nothing special.

7 out of 10.

For Crying Out Loud: v. 3: The World According to Clarkson  by Jeremy Clarkson

Ahh, Clarkson is back and he hasn’t become any less opinionated (if anything, he’s more spot on…or am I getting older?). His witticisms are spot on and there’s some insider Top Gear trivia for the fans. A great train read (but don’t read in a silent carriage- you’ll be glared at for laughing).

8 out of 10.

Full Circle by Michael Palin

Yes, another Michael Palin book review (you may be happy to know that I have only two more of his books in my possession)! This is another one of his travel odysseys, this time completing a circle around the countries bordering the Pacific Ocean. From Alaska to Russia, China, Vietnam, Australia, Chile, Mexico and the USA (to name a few), Michael and his team become involved in daily life. This is different to the Around the World in Eighty Days concept, as aeroplanes may be used in transport, but there are still exotic boat and train journeys to impress us.

This is an accompaniment to the BBC TV series (which I haven’t finished watching)- but you can still read the book if you haven’t watched the TV series. Michael Palin describes views and events with clarity that will transport you to far reaches of the world.

In this book, he visits Australia (namely the Top End- ie. the Northern Territory is described) and it’s interesting to see an Englishman’s take on the remoteness. I find that area of Australia less remote (it’s only a couple of hundred kilometres between towns, not roadhouses/service stations- excellent) but I suppose it’s a lot different from England!

I found reading about Japan and Chile particularly interesting as I love Japan (and interesting to compare notes) and Chile because I’ve never even thought about visiting there!

Once again, this is a well written travelogue by Palin that invites wanderlust!

8.5 out of 10.

Diaries: The Python Years 1969-1979 by Michael Palin

You may have guessed by now that I’m quite a fan of Michael Palin’s travel documentaries. Well, I’m also a fan of Monty Python and couldn’t resist the opportunity to delve into his diaries, starting with the beginning of Monty Python’s Flying Circus and finishing with the Life of Brian.

Michael is himself apologetic at the beginning of the diaries, stating that he didn’t feel there was enough about Python in there, because he didn’t realise how big the whole thing would become. He continues this humble theme all the way through, demonstrating just what a nice, normal person he is. From discussing holidays with the children, to visits to the dentist and occasional commercials to pay the bills, you might think this is boring. But it’s not- it’s a view of an ordinary life that just happens to be shared with Mr Gumby, songs about lumberjacks and George Harrison.

The book is divided into each of the years- it’s not a daily account, and Michael explains why there’s gaps or gives a brief overview of what happens and it’s meticulously detailed with footnotes in case you don’t recognise some of the figures (eg. various people at the BBC, politicians, managers). I read this over a long period on the daily commute and it was relaxing to be taken through the day to day, followed by filming in exotic locale such as Tunisia or flying Concorde (I don’t think I would, even if they still existed, after one of MP’s trips)!

I think you’d need to be somewhat of a MP fan to enjoy this- it’s not just about Python and Ripping Yarns but daily life in Britain of the seventies but if you are a fan, get a hold of this book! I’m looking forward to reading the sequel, Halfway to Hollywood, 1980-88.

8.5 out of 10.

Sahara by Michael Palin

(Image from Goodreads as I forgot to take a picture and then passed the book on!)

You probably would have guessed by now that I really enjoy reading Michael Palin’s travel books. That would be correct, I find them a delightful way to reminisce after watching the accompanying TV series as they give a lot more insight and background.

Did you know that Sahara was filmed in two parts? Or that 9/11 occurred while they were in the middle of the Sahara and didn’t see any footage for days? How many times did the crew get food poisoning?

You’ll find all this and more in Palin’s meticulous (but never boring) travel diaries. Covering the trip across the Sahara in a variety of means and meeting a number of people, it’s a fascinating armchair ride. His language paints a very detailed picture in your mind.

I didn’t enjoy this as much as Around the World in Eighty Days but that’s probably because I’m not as interested in Africa. But if you’re an Africa fan, you’ll love this.

8 out of 10.

Around the World in Eighty Days by Michael Palin

No, the above is not a typo- this book really is by Michael Palin of Monty Python fame. It is the book to accompany the BBC series of the late 1980s- is it possible for one man (and his film crew) to go around the world in eighty days or less without leaving the ground?

I’m not going to tell you the answer. For that, you’ll need to read the book and/or watch the series.

Michael Palin writes possibly the best travel books around. He has the ability to take you there to Bombay, Hong Kong or the Rockies in just a few words and capture the essence of the place. It’s not just because I’ve seen the series (I watched the series about twelve months) ago- his writing really is that good.

There’s another unexpected novel aspect to his journey- mobile phones and internet didn’t exist. There are references to Telexes, satellite phones…how they managed to communicate through it all was amazing. I suspect there is also not as much call nowadays for trips on cargo ships!

What I also liked about this book was that it’s not sugarcoated- Palin tells you when he’s feeling rotten, missing home and when he’s truly delighted. I highly recommend this book if you’re an armchair traveller or you just want to see what the world was like twenty years ago.

8 out of 10.