It's Not About the Tapas: A Spanish Adventure on Two Wheels
2 journalers for this copy...
From Publishers Weekly
This story of a frustrated young editor who jumps ship from her deadline-laden job in Hong Kong and escapes to a biking adventure in Spain is spiked with moments of hilarity and broad humor. "I set myself the target of a thousand miles and six weeks in which to cover them," she writes. "If my tour took a few ups and downs, if I felt the need to let out the occasional primal scream, well, in Spain nobody would notice. They’re used to craziness in Spain. In fact, they positively celebrate it." Evans arranges her route through towns large and small (San Sebastian, Barcelona, Ronda, Oropesa, etc.). Her odyssey of pedaling, chowing and searching for quaint local color often reads like a picaresque, and her book has the same penchant for sharp caricature. Writing of a small town, she observes: "A group of old men stood around the bar, their heads in a cloud of smoke, a carpet of cigarette butts at their feet, and discussed the issues of the day… ‘So, we’ll see you at the park bench for the three p.m. sit-and stare session?’" Elsewhere, she describes a rural woman carrying a sack of logs: "I had the strong impression she had chopped them herself, quite possible with a mighty slice of her hard, bare hand." Readers who enjoy this vein of humor will delight in her book, and to her credit Evans often turns her wit upon herself. At one point she notes that her trip has made her look like a "toasted whippet, something to do with being both gruesomely gaunt and burnt to a crisp."
This story of a frustrated young editor who jumps ship from her deadline-laden job in Hong Kong and escapes to a biking adventure in Spain is spiked with moments of hilarity and broad humor. "I set myself the target of a thousand miles and six weeks in which to cover them," she writes. "If my tour took a few ups and downs, if I felt the need to let out the occasional primal scream, well, in Spain nobody would notice. They’re used to craziness in Spain. In fact, they positively celebrate it." Evans arranges her route through towns large and small (San Sebastian, Barcelona, Ronda, Oropesa, etc.). Her odyssey of pedaling, chowing and searching for quaint local color often reads like a picaresque, and her book has the same penchant for sharp caricature. Writing of a small town, she observes: "A group of old men stood around the bar, their heads in a cloud of smoke, a carpet of cigarette butts at their feet, and discussed the issues of the day… ‘So, we’ll see you at the park bench for the three p.m. sit-and stare session?’" Elsewhere, she describes a rural woman carrying a sack of logs: "I had the strong impression she had chopped them herself, quite possible with a mighty slice of her hard, bare hand." Readers who enjoy this vein of humor will delight in her book, and to her credit Evans often turns her wit upon herself. At one point she notes that her trip has made her look like a "toasted whippet, something to do with being both gruesomely gaunt and burnt to a crisp."
I think I'd really enjoy meeting Polly, even, or especially, when she is oily grimy after a day of cycling. She is quite entertaining and I loved reading about her biking adventures. I also like reading the word "chuff" used without any apology or irony. ;) While some of the history bit was interesting, at times it got tedious and I longed for the author to just hop on her bike and continue along.
I've sent this one along to azuki who chose it from the Yummy Yummy VBB. Enjoy!
I've sent this one along to azuki who chose it from the Yummy Yummy VBB. Enjoy!
Journal Entry 3 by Ri at ~~~ ♥ ~~~ A Friend ~~~ ♥ ~~~, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Thursday, April 29, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (4/29/2010 UTC) at ~~~ ♥ ~~~ A Friend ~~~ ♥ ~~~, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I sent this along to Azuki as part of the Yummy Yummy VBB. I added to the Medicine Chest Book Box package I was also sending to her.
Enjoy!
I sent this along to Azuki as part of the Yummy Yummy VBB. I added to the Medicine Chest Book Box package I was also sending to her.
Enjoy!
Thanks Ri. Looks like I have a collection of Evans' book in my TBR. Let's see, eggs with chopsticks or tapas first?
