Around the World in Eighty Days by Michael Palin - 4 stars (BWF)

[Joy D]

Around the World in Eighty Days by Michael Palin - 4* - My Review

Published in 1990, Around the World in Eighty Days is a travelogue by Michael Palin, which serves as a companion piece to the BBC documentary series of the same name. The book chronicles Palin's 1988 attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days, following the route of Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne's classic 1872 novel. His BBC camera and support crew serves the role of Fogg’s sidekick Passerpartout. It is a memoir based on the diary entries Palin kept during his trip. He faces numerous obstacles, from logistical issues to cultural misunderstandings, some of which are rather humorous. He pays particular attention to various modes of transport, from trains and ships to more unconventional methods, ensuring that he does not use any method that was not available in the 1870s.

The book is not just about the physical journey, but also Palin's personal experiences and how the trip affects him. It also provides an interesting perspective on the global politics of the time. His writing style is witty and engaging. I had previously watched the documentary and wanted to revisit the journey in audiobook format, which is nicely narrated by the author. This book marked the beginning of Palin’s career as a travel documentarian. It offers an entertaining blend of historical homage and modern observation. Armchair travelers are sure to enjoy it.

PBT October BWF Extra A and tagged "travel" x322

[Theresa]

love these books. Hoping to find time to read one or two of them myself for this challenge.

[Joy D]

They are a lot of fun. I've been making my way through all of his documentaries in order of production. I'm currently in The New Europe.