‘I need a drink, Edwin.’ ‘What’s happened, Michael?’ asked Edwin in a concerned voice. ‘I’ve just seen
Vivienne Chambers disporting in the altogether,’ my father said in what I imagine to have been a hoarse, hunted tone. ‘Oh, God, join the club,’ came the reply. ‘I was subjected to that last year and it will be burned on to my retinas for the rest of my life. They look like two fried eggs on a plate – I couldn’t eat breakfast for weeks,’Edwin went on as he poured out two large vodka and tonics, triple measures, one of which my father accepted with a shaking hand. After that particular incident, the fence at the end of our lawn was raised another three feet and a thick hedgerow of Leylandii was planted. Just to make sure (...) Rabbits were bought, lost and died. One of the corpses was even found in Vivienne Chambers’ garden. ‘Maybe it saw her sunbathing like I did and just keeled over, hypothesized my father to his unamused teary children.'
The whole chapter 10, which started with this disguisting and sexist comments towards a womans body, put me off. Then, the very same chapter, goes on to describing Jack's grandmother and her hoarding tendencias. It looks like this is not a habit, rather it is an issue to be dealt with, or at least not shared with the whole world. I would never speak of my grandparents like that, there are certain things that should not be joked about.
I have always thought that Jack had a lacking sense of humour, his jokes are more about being silly and childish, rather than actually funny. I alwys much prefered his father's, Michael's, cynism and sarcasm, which at times came across as very grotesque and humouristic. Truth be told, his father was the only reason I watched 'Travels with my Father' in the first place. Anyways, reading about what he said about his neighbour's physique, I am starting to doubt whether I actually want to have anything to do with this man.
I must admit, at the beginning, the chapters written by Jack were somewhat entertaining, but then, up until chapter 10, this 'humour' began to deteriorate. Jack is like a child surrounded by great comedians like Trevor Noah or Mo Gilligan - he is trying his hardest to become one of them, but if it wasn't for his father, he would not have been heard of even once. In Jack's defence, he did mention his priviledge and financial stability, which was a surprising act of honesty. But if he wants to be a good comedian, he needs to up his game.
P.s. I'm glad I got this book for £0.99 on Kindle deal, I won't feel like I have to finish it just for the money.