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The Sex Lives of Cannibals : Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific
The Sex Lives of Cannibals Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific
Author: J. Maarten Troost
The laugh-out-loud true story of a harrowing and hilarious two-year odyssey in the distant South Pacific island nation of Kiribati—possibly The Worst Place on Earth. — — At the age of twenty-six, Maarten Troost—who had been pushing the snooze button on the alarm clock of life by racking up useless graduate degrees and muddling ...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780767915304
ISBN-10: 0767915305
Publication Date: 6/8/2004
Pages: 288
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 246

3.8 stars, based on 246 ratings
Publisher: Broadway
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The Sex Lives of Cannibals : Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific on + 76 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
I found this book both hilarious and disturbing. It starts off rather dull and self-indulgent on the part of the author but it actually picks up pace with some dark laugh-out-loud humor. Some may enjoy it as I did, others (like my husband) will not be able to get beyond the first dull chapters.
MarciNYC avatar reviewed The Sex Lives of Cannibals : Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific on
Helpful Score: 7
Maybe it's just me, but this book seems to be one constant whinge after another by Troost of how Kiribati is a crappy (no pun intended) place to live. The food sucks, it's hot and he's tortured by an endless loop of "La Macarena." I expected to find a laugh or two, but I'm still waiting.

I must add while I didn't find this book all that funny, it does make you appreciate how lucky we are in our country with all the resources at our fingertips. There are lessons to be learnt here.
reviewed The Sex Lives of Cannibals : Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific on + 330 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
This is quite a funny laugh out loud kind of book. Sometimes you have to pay close attention because Troost will veer off the main subject but his antidotes are well worth the path that he is taking you down.

When Troost and his girlfriend Sylvia find themselves with an education but no real job skills they apply for and are offered a government type of job on the Pacific atoll of Tarawa. This coral reef that is basically in the middle of no where is only the beginning of their troubles. Exactly how does one pack for a trip to an equatorial sandbar? Needless to say they were quite ill prepared for their lodgings, food and what the locals use as toilet facilities. Ok, that part was really funny.

As Troost sets out to write the great American novel real life and death takes over and the reader is scurrying to find out what Troost and Sylvia will get themselves into next. With a great cast of characters and a wonder command of storytelling Troost is a writer to follow.
reviewed The Sex Lives of Cannibals : Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
As a returned Peace Corps volunteer from the South Pacific, this book very acurately described my experiences. It was funny and helps you to appreciate what you have as an American.
reviewed The Sex Lives of Cannibals : Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific on + 209 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Interesting book definitely different and entertaining. enjoyable read
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Readnmachine avatar reviewed The Sex Lives of Cannibals : Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific on + 1472 more book reviews
Troost's memoir of the two years he spent on the remote Pacific Island of Tarawa is a funny fish-out-of-water tale as he copes with a universe completely different than the ne he was born into.
reviewed The Sex Lives of Cannibals : Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific on + 2 more book reviews
This is one fantastic read. Very informative of places you've never heard of. very insightful.
nrlymrtl avatar reviewed The Sex Lives of Cannibals : Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific on + 297 more book reviews
Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas) was an unknown place to me before I listened to this book. Just getting there was an adventure, with pigs on the runway and museum-quality airplanes. Once there, the culture shock hits on so many fronts.

While the beginning of the book lagged a bit for me, starting off in North America with Troost dodging a financial responsibility of finding a job, I thoroughly enjoyed the other 4/5ths of the book set in Kiribati. The authors honest portrayal of the islanders in all their humor and endurance of island living was well rounded. I especially enjoyed the author trying to see things through Kiribati eyes how insane or rude or ignorant are the foreigners? The chapter dealing with the island dogs how they are seen more of as a nuisance and possible food source was a bit hard because of my cultural background, but was explained well by the author. Over all, this book is laced with humor and honesty of the authors experience of his time in Kiribati.


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