Utter, utter rubbish
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I wish that I had read some of the other reviews here before buying this book. It is, quite simply, disjointed drivel which should never have been published. In fact, it is so bad that I'm not even taking it to the charity shop, it's going into the recycling bin.
Why did I buy it in the first place? Well, I bought two copies actually, one for my in-laws (who themselves sailed from Scotland to the Med through France) and one for me. My in-laws will be too polite to tell me that the book is rubbish but I think that I owe them an apology.
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I love Jimx
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My dear mother-in-law gave me this book to cheer me up when my cat passed away - I took it away on holiday and the book very nearly distracted me from the wonders of the Nile - well, nearly. This was a funny, warm and comforting book to read - I have since passed it on to my husband, who felt left out when I sniggered and laughed whilst reading it on our boat down the Nile. This is an easy book to read, and I felt I got to know to the occupants of the Phyllis May very well.
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I loved it
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This is obviously a book that divides opinion. Personally I loved it and I had no problem getting into the story.
It seems like Terry just put his thoughts directly down on paper so sometimes they are a little inappropriate, as thoughts often are, but the book is all the funnier for it.
It probably helps if you like dogs (I have a whippet cross), you have an affinity with 'proper' pubs (oh yes) and if you are "of a certain age" (I'm not, but I'm not too far removed either). It probably also helps if you do a boring office job and dream of having a little adventure of your own (I do).
The experience of reading the book felt a bit like watching a particularly good episode of last of the summer wine or any episode of Dad's army. It's gentle, very English, always amusing and often very funny or very touching indeed. There is even the occasional 'shock' with a bit of swearing or Jim misbehaving.
I'm not a narrow-boat kind of person (yet), but it has made me think maybe I should go for that little adventure. After all, if Terry, Monica and Jim can do it ...
Cheers Terry!
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Book of the summer
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A wonderful travel book. Very funny but also a vivid portrait of rural France, capturing wonderfully so much that is simultaneously frustrating and enchanting about staying in France. But most of all, and as someone who has never been on a barge, this book provides a wonderfully captivating picture of life on board. And on top of all that this is a very well written book, awash with clever references. I loved it.
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Poor, poor Monica
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Enticing cover, original idea, adventure and perception . . . . . well if you are of a fairly limited social type this might stir you. But please, if anyone thinks this is how most English people behave it is a shame. I felt sorry for the poor wife to be stuck with a husband so selfish in his endeavours to drag her across parts of Europe without any art, good attitude or good humour, missing out on most of the plain good things to be had in England, Belgium and France. I couldn't even finish it
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