
The Backpacker
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3 months free
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Narrated by:
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Tom Lawrence
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By:
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John Harris
About this listen
A gripping adventure that takes the listener on a backpacking trip through South East Asia.
John’s trip to India starts badly when he finds himself looking at the sharp end of a knife in a train station cubicle. His life is saved by the enigmatic Rick, who persuades John to abandon his mundane plans for the future for much, much more.
Fast forward to the Thai island of Koh Pha-Ngan, where they pose as millionaire aristocrats in a hedonistic Eden of beautiful girls, free drugs, and wild beach parties. Soon pursued by the Thai Mafia, they escape to Indonesia, Australia, and Hong Kong, facing danger at every turn.
©2001 John Harris (P)2011 Audible LtdSpends his time in India making fun of disabled people and throwing stones at animals. Not exactly what you would expect from a ‘zen’ traveller.
The guys a c*ck
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favourite audiobook by far
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The descriptions of the places ran pretty true to memory, but one thing that bothered me constantly through-out the book was Dave. First, I don't know any black guy in England who's name is 'Dave', let alone someone from New York! At least get the characterisation of the people right, the other was his associated dialogue. Awful, and completely none authentic.
As an easy book to listen to, yes, it was somewhat compelling and I was intrigued enough to find out how John and Rick went from penniless backpackers to riding a Rolls towards a yacht. The best description is that of an OK holiday read.
Worthy of a listen but no masterpiece.
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brilliant
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The story could have been really good in the hands of someone else. The similarity in some of the settings really could have been a way to appeal to fans of The Beach, I do think there were enough differences for this to have been amazing. Sadly, this feels like it was written by someone who read about the countries he used as a backdrop whereas the beach felt like the author has genuinely spent time understanding the cultures of the countries he wrote about.
The thing that carries this book for me is the narrator. He does a really good job and is pleasant to listen to, which has prompted me to look for a buy other books read by him.
Overall, the book is ok. It's worth a listen when you're in a bit of a book funk and have nothing else to read.
I feel so conflicted about his book.
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Di Caprio in The Beach if he grew some balls
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Brilliant fun
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I felt very connected to all the main characters and lived their wonderment and pain with them.
Thoroughly recommend this book!
Total escapism, totally nail biting..... BRILLIANT
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It's a story that doesn't follow a conventional beginning, middle and end, but is a retelling of events for a small group of travellers in Asia. The nature of the book is in the events, not the scenery nor differences in culture.
They're young, they do some stupid things as did we all at that age. Some of the detail of the events is sufficiently well-written to have you laughing out loud on occasion, or to build a sense of suspense and tension. The characters are well described.
It could have done with some editing to slim it down by perhaps 30%. The narrator is great. I often find myself abandoning very long audiobooks as I have a short attention span, but with this it's possible to dip in and out of it without missing vital elements which make for continuity and I did complete it.
It's great escapism and I found it enjoyable.
Good fun
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Kept me well entertained. Loved it. Twice!
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