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chairmanbernanke's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting novel about travel and self-exploration.
ejw14's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sweddy65's review against another edition
4.0
If you think this:
"I dare say," said aunt Dot, "The BBC has a recording van there. Reporters for the BBC have such an extraordinary effect on the people they meet--wherever they go the natives sing. It seems so strange, they never do it when I am travelling. The BBC oughtn't to let them, it spoils the programme. Just when you are hoping for a description of some nice place, everybody suddenly bursts out singing. Even Displaced Persons do it. And singing sounds much the same everywhere, so I switch off."
If you like long sentences, this is the book for you.
Published in 1956, this is both incredibly funny, but also a thoughtful musing on religion and relationships. If I didn't already have four or five books sitting on my nightstand, I would chase down other books by Dame Rose Macaulay.
"I dare say," said aunt Dot, "The BBC has a recording van there. Reporters for the BBC have such an extraordinary effect on the people they meet--wherever they go the natives sing. It seems so strange, they never do it when I am travelling. The BBC oughtn't to let them, it spoils the programme. Just when you are hoping for a description of some nice place, everybody suddenly bursts out singing. Even Displaced Persons do it. And singing sounds much the same everywhere, so I switch off."
If you like long sentences, this is the book for you.
Published in 1956, this is both incredibly funny, but also a thoughtful musing on religion and relationships. If I didn't already have four or five books sitting on my nightstand, I would chase down other books by Dame Rose Macaulay.
poachedeggs's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't what I expected. I thought it would be funny, but it was melancholy instead, and the , but not in a bad way.
Spoiler
ending left me dumbfoundedmaplessence's review against another edition
5.0
I've changed my mind and I'm awarding the full 5★. I found the ending a bit abrupt and the change in tone quite startling - but it is 20th century. That was the way 20th century fiction rolled!
Or is it fiction? I've read a review that describes this novel as a roman à clef which is certainly how it feels. Definitely a satire about the travels of the wide-eyed and guileless Laurie and her travels through Turkey and beyond.
I found this old map helpful;
It isn't long before you realise the camel (subject of one of the most famous opening lines in literature) isn't the only one not right in the head!
The Retro Reads Group didn't think this camel looked deranged enough;
Well, I think it has a distinctly sly and self satisfied expression - & I couldn't find a picture of an Arabian Dhalur camel - white or otherwise.
Macaulay wrote this book in her late sixties - a remarkable achievement, and possibly a remarkable feet of memory. I really want to do some more research.
Undated photo from my dustjacket
This book is a keeper and as I'm trying to downsize my collection I can't give higher praise than that!
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshessonovel.wordpress.com
Or is it fiction? I've read a review that describes this novel as a roman à clef which is certainly how it feels. Definitely a satire about the travels of the wide-eyed and guileless Laurie and her travels through Turkey and beyond.
I found this old map helpful;
It isn't long before you realise the camel (subject of one of the most famous opening lines in literature) isn't the only one not right in the head!
The Retro Reads Group didn't think this camel looked deranged enough;
Well, I think it has a distinctly sly and self satisfied expression - & I couldn't find a picture of an Arabian Dhalur camel - white or otherwise.
Macaulay wrote this book in her late sixties - a remarkable achievement, and possibly a remarkable feet of memory. I really want to do some more research.
Undated photo from my dustjacket
This book is a keeper and as I'm trying to downsize my collection I can't give higher praise than that!
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshessonovel.wordpress.com
countthrockula's review against another edition
Slog of an “adventure” tale. Don’t recommend
zilfworks's review against another edition
3.0
Fun book about jet set travelers in the early 20th century.
sillyzilly's review against another edition
3.0
What a weird book. Funny, I guess? I actually really enjoyed the dubious, loving digressions about Anglicanism, faith, and the church in general, since "dubious and loving" is oftenhow I feel about the church, myself. I'm not sure I would recommend this except to very specific sensibilities, but I think those sensibilities would like it very much.
laurelkane's review against another edition
4.0
Great read. I was supposed to read this book for a literature class i took at UCLA last summer, but didn't quite get to it. Macaulay writes in that British we're-all-crazy-and-kooky-and-we-think-it's-normal-and don't-realize-it's-actually-hysterical kind of way. At some points I was laughing out loud (teaching the monkey how to drive Aunt Dot's car!). The characters' names alone were humorous(Father Chantry-Pigg). The end, however, is devastating, but made me like the book even more because I didn't realize that I actually cared for Laurie until tragedy struck.
It was also incredibly interesting to read about their exploits traveling around in early 20th century Turkey. Aunt Dot is convinced that the Muslim women just need to be shown how "backwards" their way of life is (via the Church of England). The women will then have no choice but to become enlightened and cast off the religion and traditions that have oppressed them for so long. This book was written almost 60 years ago and there are still many people in the Western world who think this way! I do appreciate that Laurie then later talks about how she feels its "rude" to go into another country and attempt to convert the natives away from their own traditions.
I definitely recommend this book, especially to those who have been reading more modern novels about women in the Middle East (Three cups of Tea, etc.).
It was also incredibly interesting to read about their exploits traveling around in early 20th century Turkey. Aunt Dot is convinced that the Muslim women just need to be shown how "backwards" their way of life is (via the Church of England). The women will then have no choice but to become enlightened and cast off the religion and traditions that have oppressed them for so long. This book was written almost 60 years ago and there are still many people in the Western world who think this way! I do appreciate that Laurie then later talks about how she feels its "rude" to go into another country and attempt to convert the natives away from their own traditions.
I definitely recommend this book, especially to those who have been reading more modern novels about women in the Middle East (Three cups of Tea, etc.).