When Dave's best mate James goes on a year-long backpacking jaunt around the world, Dave finds himself alone in England with no one to party with but his best mate's girl Liz. Liz and Dave strike sparks off each other; and despite Liz's stated love for her boyfriend, she and Dave soon find themselves not quite having sex (think Bill Clinton's definition of not having sex). So, since they are getting along so well and have months to kill before James returns to England, they decide to travel through India together for three months. Liz is looking for spiritual enlightenment. Dave has other goals (he packs 200 condoms in his rucksack).
When they arrive in India, they find out that it's HOT. According to Dave he feels like a slab of meat cooking from the inside. Forging on, they rely on The Book (the Lonely Planet) as their guide and also on advice and companionship from travelers they meet along the way. Travelers such as Jeremy, whose own spiritual journey has been funded by wealthy parents. And Ranj, a British Indian who is running away from an arranged marriage. And Fee and Caz, two young women who have just returned from a total spiritual awakening experienced by washing lepers.
Stylistically, this book is a little like The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy goes to India. Well, maybe the satire isn't quite as heavy as Hitchhikers Guide. Don't rely on this book to learn much about India, because Dave and Liz certainly don't. The humour can be crude and lewd at times. (Does it reflect badly upon me that I found myself howling with laughter at some of those times?) In sum, if you enjoy Christopher Moores books (and I do), then you are probably going to enjoy this book (and I did!).
When they arrive in India, they find out that it's HOT. According to Dave he feels like a slab of meat cooking from the inside. Forging on, they rely on The Book (the Lonely Planet) as their guide and also on advice and companionship from travelers they meet along the way. Travelers such as Jeremy, whose own spiritual journey has been funded by wealthy parents. And Ranj, a British Indian who is running away from an arranged marriage. And Fee and Caz, two young women who have just returned from a total spiritual awakening experienced by washing lepers.
Stylistically, this book is a little like The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy goes to India. Well, maybe the satire isn't quite as heavy as Hitchhikers Guide. Don't rely on this book to learn much about India, because Dave and Liz certainly don't. The humour can be crude and lewd at times. (Does it reflect badly upon me that I found myself howling with laughter at some of those times?) In sum, if you enjoy Christopher Moores books (and I do), then you are probably going to enjoy this book (and I did!).
