The Sex Lives of Cannibals : Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific
11 journalers for this copy...
I really enjoyed this book about Troost's time on the teeny South Pacific atoll of Kiribati. It reminded me quite a lot of Bill Bryson, only this guy seems a little younger and snarkier. Very funny though, and worth seeking out if you're a fan of Bryson's travelogues.
What a treat to find this in my mailbox. Thank you very much, JennyO!
Reserved for BookCrosser lolamarie.
I had a lot of fun with this book, and learned from it. Troost shares his observations candidly and with obvious affection for the people and endless irony of life on Kiribati. Occasional absurd statements such as, "The I-Kiribati are quite possibly the only people on Earth without a tradition of gardening," detract a bit from the story's plausibility, but Troost is excellent at conveying memories full of sights, smells and sounds. I loved his narrative introductions to each chapter, such as:
"Chapter 2~IN WHICH the Author reveals the Fruit of his Research into the Strange Island Nation he has declared his new Home (which leaves much unknown), compensates for his Ignorance with his Lively Imagination (which is inadequate, very much so), and Packs (inappropriately)."
Troost's description of riding a delapidated bicycle across the island, gripping a large fresh fish, while accompanied by a snarling pack of hungry, feral dogs was hilarious. Still, the narrative has considerable substance; conveying a lot of information about the sociopolitical history of the equatorial Pacific and the effects of war and outside industry upon its vulnerable lands. Well done.
"Chapter 2~IN WHICH the Author reveals the Fruit of his Research into the Strange Island Nation he has declared his new Home (which leaves much unknown), compensates for his Ignorance with his Lively Imagination (which is inadequate, very much so), and Packs (inappropriately)."
Troost's description of riding a delapidated bicycle across the island, gripping a large fresh fish, while accompanied by a snarling pack of hungry, feral dogs was hilarious. Still, the narrative has considerable substance; conveying a lot of information about the sociopolitical history of the equatorial Pacific and the effects of war and outside industry upon its vulnerable lands. Well done.
In the post, heading off to BookCrosser lolamarie!
Received today. Thanks FeralReader!
I enjoyed reading this book. It was funny and informative. I'm planning on releasing this as a bookray.
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The usual bookray "rules" apply. Please make a journal entry when you receive the book and then again when you send it on. Please PM me if you run into any problems (such as finishing the book in a timely manner, which means 4-6 weeks). If you are the last person on the ray, feel free to do what you like with the book once you're done reading it - continue the ray, RABCK it, or release the book into the wild.
And last, but not least, ENJOY!
Lpree - USA (done)
rangerfan - USA (done)
queensknob - USA (done)
fizzfred - USA (done)
arugh48187 - USA (done)
shpriz1 - USA (done)
PRCS - Canada (done)
moraelyn - USA <=== here!
LisaGriffith - USA
Xanthe-pup - UK
beekeeper40 - UK
book-man-8 - Germany
piemunga - Australia
***
The usual bookray "rules" apply. Please make a journal entry when you receive the book and then again when you send it on. Please PM me if you run into any problems (such as finishing the book in a timely manner, which means 4-6 weeks). If you are the last person on the ray, feel free to do what you like with the book once you're done reading it - continue the ray, RABCK it, or release the book into the wild.
And last, but not least, ENJOY!
Lpree - USA (done)
rangerfan - USA (done)
queensknob - USA (done)
fizzfred - USA (done)
arugh48187 - USA (done)
shpriz1 - USA (done)
PRCS - Canada (done)
moraelyn - USA <=== here!
LisaGriffith - USA
Xanthe-pup - UK
beekeeper40 - UK
book-man-8 - Germany
piemunga - Australia
Sent to Lpree. Enjoy!
This arrived a couple of days ago. I've got some other rings ahead of it, but will read it as soon as I can. The excerpt I read on Amazon was pretty funny, so I'm looking forward to reading the entire book.
I just finished this. I agree that it is similar to the style of Bill Bryson (at least the one book of his I read) in that there are elements of both humor and seriousness in the book. This did pretty much kill any desire I might have had to visit the South Pacific, though. I enjoyed the book quite a lot, especially the narrative titles of each chapter.
I will get this sent on to the next person soon! Thanks for sharing this book!
I will get this sent on to the next person soon! Thanks for sharing this book!
Came today from Lpree, sounds great! I have one book to finsh then on to this one.
I found this to be a very enjoyable read, fast to :-) Laughed out loud a few times. I know one thing for sure, after reading this-- no tiny island living for me! LOL
Will mail to the next person, next week.
Will mail to the next person, next week.
Journal Entry 13 by BC20090206001 at Mailing in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Oklahoma USA on Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (5/3/2006 UTC) at Mailing in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Oklahoma USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Mialed to queensknob
Mialed to queensknob
I must have forgotten to post when received...sorry! I started this book, but I just could not get into it. I have PM'd the next person in line and will mail as soon as I have the address. Being mailed on 5/23/06 first class.
I got this book last week sometime but due to illness I was unable to journal until now. Sorry about the slight delay. :) I have already started it and should be finished soon.
Weird, I thought I wrote a journal entry over the weekend but I don't see it. Humph? I enjoyed reading this book but I must say I am getting a little tired of this new genre, "I lived some place out of the norm so I must write a book about it." :) I guess I am just jealous that I don't have the courage or the financial means (or actually the ability to not care about going into debt) to pick up and explore like this author does. At the time I was reading this I watched a Jean Luc Cousteau special about similar (maybe even part of the same chain) Pacific islands who's coral was alive. What a contrast!
Thanks lolamarie for the oportunity to read this. I have PMed arugh48187 and will send it on as soon as I get an address.
Thanks lolamarie for the oportunity to read this. I have PMed arugh48187 and will send it on as soon as I get an address.
Sorry for the delay. I got caught up in summer. I have finally sent this out today. Enjoy!!!!
Found this one in my mailbox today. I have a couple of rings in front of it, but it shouldn't take me too long. You can keep track of its progress via my bookshelf.
The comparison between Troost and Bryson is very apt. I am a big fan of Bryson and have read quite a few of his travelogues. Troost has a similar style, though my moments of amusement were somewhat more sparse than when reading Bryson. I did like the peep into South Pacific Island life and having been to India in the heat of summer can appreciate the lethargia that in inspires. I found Troost's tidbits of history long enough to catch my interest and short enough to keep it. I was particularly fond of Chapter 16 and have been there, done that. :)
Thanks for sharing, and sorry for keeping it so long.
Thanks for sharing, and sorry for keeping it so long.
Journal Entry 20 by arugh48187 at Post Office at 153rd and Garrett in Apple Valley, Minnesota USA on Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (8/15/2006 UTC) at Post Office at 153rd and Garrett in Apple Valley, Minnesota USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
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Mailing off to shpriz1 who is next in line. Happy reading!
Mailing off to shpriz1 who is next in line. Happy reading!
Caught it in Brooklyn. Thanks
This was a very enjoyable read. Maarten's sense of humor is very amusing. The book made me laugh more than once. On the other hand, this was a very sad book too. Speaking about environment - this plase is a DISASTER. Locals can't do anything simply because they don't know about the consequences of their actions; and everyone else doesn't give a damn to what happens to people who depend on nature's givings.
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The book is on the way to the next participant. Thank you for including me in this bookray.
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The book is on the way to the next participant. Thank you for including me in this bookray.
This was a very enjoyable read. Maarten's sense of humor is very amusing. The book made me laugh more than once. On the other hand, this was a very sad book too. Speaking about environment - this plase is a DISASTER. Locals can't do anything simply because they don't know about the consequences of their actions; and everyone else doesn't give a damn to what happens to people who depend on nature's givings.
*******************************************************************************************************
The book is on the way to the next participant. Thank you for including me in this bookray.
*******************************************************************************************************
The book is on the way to the next participant. Thank you for including me in this bookray.
This was a very enjoyable read. Maarten's sense of humor is very amusing. The book made me laugh more than once. On the other hand, this was a very sad book too. Speaking about environment - this plase is a DISASTER. Locals can't do anything simply because they don't know about the consequences of their actions; and everyone else doesn't give a damn to what happens to people who depend on nature's givings.
*******************************************************************************************************
The book is on the way to the next participant. Thank you for including me in this bookray.
*******************************************************************************************************
The book is on the way to the next participant. Thank you for including me in this bookray.
Arrived this week our son had a good laugh at the title !!! and told me it was an inapproproiate book for me to read he is 10 !!!!! Have started reading the book would have been nice if he had included maps in this book however looked it up on the the Internet and read with interest about these islands !
This was a most interesting read and thought provoking book/ He talks about diaper pollution yuk and the garbage problem in general. The whole world has a garbage problem I think what about land fills in the future .
Missile testing makes you think
over population of animals in particular dogs !!!
undrinkable water unless boiled
dieases and bugs 33 islands in total only 21 lived on would have liked pictures and maps in this book
googled it on the internet for history flag etc interesting infomation sending on to moraelyn who was my birthday buddy last year as they next person on the ring.......
Missile testing makes you think
over population of animals in particular dogs !!!
undrinkable water unless boiled
dieases and bugs 33 islands in total only 21 lived on would have liked pictures and maps in this book
googled it on the internet for history flag etc interesting infomation sending on to moraelyn who was my birthday buddy last year as they next person on the ring.......
Journal Entry 27 by PRCS at -- Controlled Release in Milton, Ontario Canada on Thursday, October 19, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (10/19/2006 UTC) at -- Controlled Release in Milton, Ontario Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
most interesting book,glad I had a chance to read it, makes you think aout the enviroment
especially when he talks about Diaper and garbage problem, Missile testing, problems with water
and who owns what/just a few of the problems he encounters will go on list for 555 challenge.
controlled release by mail to next person on ring.
most interesting book,glad I had a chance to read it, makes you think aout the enviroment
especially when he talks about Diaper and garbage problem, Missile testing, problems with water
and who owns what/just a few of the problems he encounters will go on list for 555 challenge.
controlled release by mail to next person on ring.
Found this pleasant looking book waiting for me the other day. Thanks to Penny who sent it from Canada. I am a little behind on my bookrings at the moment, but I will finally be on vacation soon. So I hope to catch up, and get this book on its way in a timely manner. Thanks for sharing it!
