Top 5 Travel Books for April 2009
- The Testament of Gideon Mack by James Robertson
This is definitely a little bit out there, but once you accept that central character Gideon is an atheist Minister destined to be taken over by the devil, the rest simply flows. It’s an interesting format with a prologue from fictional ‐ Editor Patrick Walker that casts out some irresistible literary hooks. The novel is presented as a manuscript written by Mr Mack and published by Walker after it’s intercepted by a keen journalist. Gideon’s over protective father figure lays the psychological time bomb groundwork for many of the misdemeanours that follow and the rebellion of the sexually liberating university years are particularly vivid! The extraordinary factor might be a turn off for those who subscribe to the old school fiction principles, but if you’re open to new experiences, this read won’t disappoint.
The Testament of Gideon Mack by James Robertson is published by Penguin (paperback; £7.99). It is also available through amazon.co.uk and all good booksellers.
- The Rough Guide to Sardinia
Last month I gave you an eyeful of Lonely Planet’s guide to this Italian island and in due course it’s time to see how its Rough Guide counterpart compares. The maps aren’t as detailed but what it lacks in cartography it makes up for in written detail, especially when you’re trying to figure out just how the hell you get across this island without a car. Cala Gnome is one prime example of this conundrum ‐ a small seaside town not to be missed, but not hooked up to a railroad or apparently, a road of any variety for that matter. Thanks to Rough Guide and a bit of Tripadvisor ‐ Google tag team action, the bus to nearby Dorgoli is now clear, as is the tiny road that leads from here to the sea side good times. Who needs to hire a Fiat Punto for €200 a day? Pah.
The Rough Guide to Sardinia is published by Rough Guides (paperback; £13.99). It is also available through roughguides.com and all good booksellers.
- The Best of British Festivals by Barney Jeffries
Compared to Lonely Planet’s globe encompassing Festival Guide, this is a rather localised experience but it’s well worth the read because it’s laden with everything that makes Britain quite so quirky. All the greats are in here from Glastonbury and Reading to Creamfields and the BBC Good Food Summer Festival. You’ll be pleased to discover that it’s not all muddy fields and Kate Moss donning wellies while chain smoking. There is in fact a lot more to the party people of this Anglo Saxon isle and my favourite (from a personal and treasured experience) has to be the cheese rolling championships. Near vertical muddy fields and grown ups in complete possession of their marbles ‐ willingly throwing themselves after giant cheese wheels. How could you not watch and marvel?
The Best of British Festivals by Barney Jeffries is published by Summersdale (paperback; £9.99). It is also available through amazon.co.uk and all good booksellers.
- The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
Bestsellers can sometimes be far too much in your face and not equipped to induce a recession distracting good time inside your head. Fear not. The Cellist of Sarajevo does not fall into this vacuous rut. The incredible pace transports you immediately to a setting of war torn streets and the desperate plights Kennan, Arrow and Dragon. Distrust, the simple act of collecting water to ensure a family’s survival and counter sniping dominate this fictional testament to a very poignant history and the extreme limits of what war pushes people to do. It’s not an easy book to get through bit it is worth the time investment, especially if you need your faith in the resilience of the human spirit reaffirmed. If you like this then Ascension is my next recommended read from this author.
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway is published by Atlantic Books (paperback; £7.99). It is also available through amazon.co.uk and all good booksellers.
- The Lake District from Lonely Planet
This is a special sneak peak preview of a Lonely Planet title set to be released at the end of April. It’s the first Lake District guide from the guys who make you feel not quite so alone on your global treks and it’s got a recommendation for just about everything you could want to do. We’re talking fell stalking (if only the poor Deers could take our restraining orders), romantic writing and the plethora of dessert options available on the lake side terraces. There’s nothing quite as nice, or as British, as Afternoon Tea overlooking Lake Windermere and with this guide by your side, you’re sure to find the best spot for scones! Furthermore you can burn off those calories with a few highly recommended hikes, taking in historical landmarks ‐ such as the licking stones of Carlisle Castle, along the way.
The Lake District from Lonely Planet is published by Lonely Planet (paperback; £10.99). It is also available through lonelyplanet.co.uk and all good booksellers.
‐ Rob Savage
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