The Sex Lives of Canibals

Title: The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific

Author: J. Maarten Troost

Pages: 11 discs

Genre: Humor, Travel

Grade: B+

Synopsis: When the author, Troost, was 26, he packed up with his girlfriend and moved for a couple of years to the remote country of Kiribati (pronounced Kir-i-bus). They would live on the small Tarawa Atoll, where the majority of the residents of Kiribati live. This book chronicles the authors adventures and misadventures throughout their stay on the small atoll.  The book was quite funny, although there were a few times when the humor was a bit forced.  I did find myself laughing often.

My Review: Contrary to the promise of the title, there is very little about sex in the book although there are times when the author's humor gets a little crass.  For example, the atoll is so flat that there really isn't a good sewer system. Some of the nicer homes have septic tanks, but the majority of the population is left to take care of business wherever they see fit.  This means that the residents (who are often plagued with dysentery-like diseases) will typically stick their booties out over the water and let it rip, which, of course, is the basis for many of the funnier parts of the book.

Green Hills of Africa

Title: Green Hills of Africa

Author: Ernest Hemingway

Pages: 208

Genre: Non-Fiction, Travel

Grade: B

Synopsis: This is the non-fiction account of Ernest Hemingway's two-month hunting safari for big-game animals in East Africa, in the shadows of Mount Kilimanjaro.  He and his companions are hunting rhinoceros as well as other animals in the deer and antelope families (such as kudu).  This book documents their hunting excursions and interactions with the natives.

My Review:  I imagine that this book was a hit back in the 1930s when it was released. Now, with rhinos and some of the other animals very endangered I found the stories a little depressing.  I guess that you could say that hunting is not in my blood.  Generally the book was interesting and kept my attention, but there were parts that were a little dry.

The Geography of Bliss

Title: The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World

Author: Eric Weiner

Pages: 325

Genre: Travel, Non-fiction

Grade: B+

Synopsis: Eric Weiner (pronounced 'whiner') wants to find the happiest places in the world. He's not exactly the happiest guy but thinks that maybe location has something to do with it. He travels to 10 countries, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Bhutan, Qatar, Iceland, Moldova, Thailand, Great Britain, India and The United States and informally researches whether or not people in each country are happy. His research mainly consists of talking to locals, American expats and happiness experts. He also does his best to live like the locals (i.e. very extravagantly in Qatar while rooming with an old babushka in Moldova).

Disclaimer: The book isn't dirty by any means, but be forewarned that the language can be a little crude.

My Review: This was quite an enjoyable read. A couple of the chapters drag on for a little longer than feels necessary, but on the whole, the book is very interesting and funny. Weiner's writing style is very relaxed and conversational and I really enjoyed his ability to throw in random facts and humor. The book really was quite funny. I only included two quotes on this review, but there were many, many that I would liked to have included. I particularly enjoyed learning a bit more about all of the countries that he visited and there were even a few that I added to my list of countries that I simply must visit before I die. In other words, I am very jealous of the travel that Mr. Weiner went on.

From the Book: "(p. 7, The Netherlands) And so I do. I have inter course, right there in the Hotel van Walsum dining room. I enjoy it very much, this unhurried dining experience. I sip my beer, stare into space, and, in general, do nothing--until the waiter brings the grilled salmon, indicating that, for now, my inter course is over."

"(p. 302, India) Emma has just returned from a visit to her factory. On the floor, she has spread piles of bags. They are everywhere, and they are beautiful. I'm tempted to get naked and roll around in the pile but restrain myself. This is a forgiving place, but even the inhabitants of 1 Shanti Road have their limits."