Have you seen the Idiot Abroad TV series? It’s awesomely, deadpan and hilarious. Basically the premise is Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant send their mate(?) Karl Pilkington on blind adventures to places he really has no interest in visiting. In fact Karl seems to have no interest in visiting any place at all aside from his local Fish n Chip. In this travel diary, Karl visits the 7 wonders of the world, reluctantly. His accounts are totally without fluff and often focus on the unexpected and banal. He worries about the effects of broadening his horizons by travelling, as he was totally happy with his horizons as limited as they were.
I truly loved this book. Originally purchased for my husband to take to Asia {I now realise how that may have seemed to him!}, I picked it up finished it in a day or two. A lovely easy read, but engaging and funny. You would seriously never have considered travel in the way Pilkington does – he has no time for it basically. The tidbits of his adventures that do please him will catch you by surprise and his anecdotes and distinct lack of rose-coloured glasses are refreshing and quite endearing. For a quick preview of the show have a look at the video below;
Pilkington’s second book, The Further Adventures of an Idiot Abroad, is on my nightstand waiting in line to be read, but first up I am joining in with the ABM Book Club. January’s book is The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, it’s locked and loaded on my kindle ready to go! Will you join me? What are you reading this summer?
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