An Idiot Abroad: The Travel Diaries of Karl Pilkington

by Karl Pilkington

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Humor

Paperback

Published January 1, 2012

About the author

Karl Pilkington is a Sony Award-winning English radio producer, poet, podcaster, raconteur and author, best known for producing and co-presenting The Ricky Gervais Show on London radio station Xfm from 2001 to 2005 and later in the form of podcasts and a television show on HBO. In October 2006, Pilkington's first book The World of Karl Pilkington was published, featuring original ideas and drawings by Pilkington, based upon the subject matter discussed in the podcasts. His second book, Happyslapped by a Jellyfish, was published in October 2007, and he was the subject of the Comedy Lab episode "Karl Pilkington - Satisfied Fool", which aired in October 2007. His third book, Karlology, a musing on his views on his own intelligence, and attitude to learning, appeared on 1 October 2008.

Reviews

[Edie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny, I enjoyed reading it

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karl is a unique gem that cannot be replicated.

[Joel Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll admit, I’m a bit of an odd one out here because I didn’t really get into An Idiot Abroad when it first came out. Maybe it just wasn’t my kind of show at the time, so I didn’t watch much of it. That said, I really enjoyed this book. It captures Karl’s trademark humour and oddball wisdom without dragging things out or being overshadowed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.

The whole “idiot” branding feels more like a gimmick to sell the show. I don’t think Karl’s an idiot at all—he just comes across as gullible, which isn’t the same thing. While I found the constant moaning and downplaying of The Wonders of the World a bit grating in the show, his complaints in the book felt more reasonable and less repetitive.

By the end, I had a surprising bit of fondness for Karl that I never expected. I even found some common ground with him—being made out to be the "idiot" because your mates have an inflated sense of their own brilliance is a dynamic I know too well. The difference, of course, is that my friends didn’t send me on trips around the world or make me famous. Karl’s definitely one-upped me there!

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this man! He's so f*cking funny and that's without even trying! Written as he speaks with his inimitable deadpan style and dry wit, Pilkington takes us on an adventure like no other to see the Seven Wonders of the World:

🇪🇬 The Pyramids
🇷🇴 Christ the Redeemer
🇮🇳 The Taj Mahal
🇲🇽Chichen Itzá
🇨🇳 The Great Wall of China
🇯🇴 Petra
🇵🇪 Machu Picchu

I've recently binged the first TV series and wanted to read the book whilst it was all fresh in my mind.

Alongside Pilkington's travel notes you get to see some of the more memorable moments from the show in all their photographic glory, the transcripts of the hilarious calls between him, Stephen and Ricky and some interesting facts on each wonder that he was lucky enough to visit...although he wasn't always the luckiest thanks to his 'friends' and their choices in hotels and entertainment.

Funny as...

[karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely love Karl Pilkington and have watched the series of the 7 wonders so already knew most of the dialogue in this book, but not my usual style of read so lacked motivation to read it but was enjoyable, love his humour

[Mahima Kohli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light, funny read about a travel-averse British guy's (mis)adventures as he goes about seeing the seven wonders of the world, even as his comedian friends pull the strings to make each journey extra difficult and enriching.

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick funny read. Kindle version made it difficult to read photo captions though. Made me want to rewatch the tv show.

[ORACLE · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brit humor is always dry but yet very fun. This dude is a trooper. He endured alot of hell on his trips. My favorite locations were Mexico & Brazil.

[Tom Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me laugh on multiple occasions! Now want to re watch the show

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The accompanying book to the Sky TV show.

An hilarious account of a man who does not like to travel.

[Stephanie Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely so funny. Probably laughed aloud too many times.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

Underbart rolig! Lästes och köptes i London 2012.