Daren
In 1971 PLF travelled to Peru with a group of wealthy mates and swanned about for a month.
His mates consisted of Lord Kinross; the Duke of Devonshire; Deputy Director of the National Trust; A Swiss climber and world ski champion who managed Cartier in London for 30 years; and lawyer / social anthropologist Andre Choremi. So, you know, just a few mates scratching together a few quid to see the Andes.
The book takes the form of three letters written home to PFL's wife - lightly edited for context and content and supplied with footnotes to clarify various things.
Jumping straight to the point, this was not of great entertainment. The writing is descriptive in parts but not overly; the history is scattered and very light - contextual only; the content is only mildly interesting. As you might expect in a letter home, there are logistics, meals, interactions with locals and hotel experiences (no hot water, eggs not prepared well) to discuss...
Don't get this book confused with Fermor's travel writing - while I am not his biggest fan, it is far better than this, which is quite dull and almost pedestrian in it's delivery.
Recommended only for the PLF completist.
2 stars
In 1971 PLF travelled to Peru with a group of wealthy mates and swanned about for a month.
His mates consisted of Lord Kinross; the Duke of Devonshire; Deputy Director of the National Trust; A Swiss climber and world ski champion who managed Cartier in London for 30 years; and lawyer / social anthropologist Andre Choremi. So, you know, just a few mates scratching together a few quid to see the Andes.
The book takes the form of three letters written home to PFL's wife - lightly edited for context and content and supplied with footnotes to clarify various things.
Jumping straight to the point, this was not of great entertainment. The writing is descriptive in parts but not overly; the history is scattered and very light - contextual only; the content is only mildly interesting. As you might expect in a letter home, there are logistics, meals, interactions with locals and hotel experiences (no hot water, eggs not prepared well) to discuss...
Don't get this book confused with Fermor's travel writing - while I am not his biggest fan, it is far better than this, which is quite dull and almost pedestrian in it's delivery.
Recommended only for the PLF completist.
2 stars