Off the Beaten Track: My Crazy Year in Asia

by Frank Kusy

Most of us have a defining year, a year that changes our life forever. Mine was 1989. In that year, I travelled the length and breadth of a chunk of South-East Asia, started a new business in India, wrote two travel guidebooks, got married in a Balinese village, nearly killed the King of Thailand, got attacked by giant spiders in Australia, had bombs raining down on me on the Cambodian border, and received the death penalty in Malaysia.

That's what you get when you go off the beaten track...

Genres: Travel, Asia, Nonfiction, Ebooks, Humor, Biography

94 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 23, 2014

About the author

Born and raised in the fog-shrouded streets of 1960s London, and with more than 30 years of travel writing experience under his belt, aspiring Buddhist and incorrigible cat-lover Frank Kusy is a SUNDAY TRIBUNE RECOMMENDED AUTHOR and a four-time Gold Medal Winner on the Harper Collins Authonomy site. He has been awarded the AIA Awesome Indies Seal of Excellence for his flagship book 'Rupee Millionaires', and has been a featured author on several promotional sites, including BookBub, Pixel of Ink, Indie Book Bargains and FreeBooksy. His books have received international press acclaim, and have made the Kindle Top 100 List several times, his first published book, 'Kevin and I in India', climbing as high as #5. In April 2015 his children's book 'Ginger the Gangster Cat' won a Gold medal on the prestigious Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards for 6 to 8 year olds, though this and the sequel 'Ginger the Buddha Cat' appeal as much to adults as to children.

Reviews

[Lilo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warning: This book is r-rated. Don’t let your kids get their hands on it. Also keep it away from maiden-aunts and a nosy mother-in-law who might question you about this business trip you once took to Thailand.

Upfront, I would like to tell you that I really like Frank Kusy. “Off the Beaten Track” is the forth book I read by this author, and I loved every one of these memoirs and travelogues. Frank is a very nice guy—kind, compassionate, self-critical, and straightforward. He doesn’t brag, and he won’t tell you any lies. And last but not least, he has a wonderful sense of humor. These are the things I like so much about him. Yet Frank is also human—occasionally, a bit too human. He is so human that he gets himself into quite a relationship mess. No I won’t tell you any juicy stories. If you want to learn more, you need to read this book. All I am going to tell you is that no amount of Buddhist chanting is getting our author out of this relationship quagmire. Or is it?

Well, what do men do when they get themselves into erotic entanglements they feel unable to solve? They seek to find a way out. And what could be a better way out than an offer from a publisher to travel South-East Asia (nice advance and most expenses paid) in order to write a travel guide?

This is how this book came to be.

As always, when Frank Kusy is on his way, there is lots of adventure, lots of danger (I would forbid him to get into if I were his mother), lots of exotic food he enjoys (but I wouldn’t), lots of exotic food he doesn’t enjoy (and I would never touch), and lots of critters most people can do without. (I would like to mention, however, that I don’t mind spiders, cockroaches, mice, lizards, or even snakes, as long as they don’t invade my private space, that is my bed, my food, or my clothes, but I don’t have any tolerance for mosquitoes or other stinging insects). And of course, there is more to see in South-East Asia than cockroaches in the sink, tarantulas in the shower, and fried mice on the dinner plate.

And now excuse me for a moment. I need to have a private word with our author:

***********************************************
Mr. Kusy, I appreciate your dedication to fulfill your obligations as a travel-guide writer at all costs and taking upon yourself great sacrifices. Thus, I fully accept and understand that your little socializing event at this happenstance house of ill repute took place in the line of duty. But you needn't give details, at least not in this book, which does NOT have to cover ALL aspects of a trip to Thailand. You might have thought about the keen interest of your male readership in this subject, but by all means, there is also ladies reading your book.—Men!
***********************************************

I must admit that due to my 76-year-old, heavily-used brain (and probably also because of a mild but persisting headache I had while reading this book), my head was spinning with exotic names of people and places I had trouble remembering. And I am not sure whether the traveling and the writing was rather fast-paced or whether my brain was rather slow-paced. In any case, I did not enjoy this book as much as the other three books I, so far, read by the author. I think I should read the book again, some time when I don’t have a headache.

Then, at page 139 (of 186 pages), Frank Kusy is back home in London, where his love life is not going so well. And soon, there is another disappointment. His travel-guide publisher is having financial problems. Writing travel guides turns out to be less rewarding than anticipated. So our author needs a new career. He chooses the import business, and soon, he is again at Heathrow airport, this time headed for India, where he will buy exotic merchandise, which he intends to sell later in London, making profit.

Far from home, our author, once again, can’t resist temptation and manages to worsen his erotic entanglement, turning it into some kind of a Gordian knot, which ends up getting brutally cut. No, not by our author. Frank Kusy is not that kind of a guy. The ladies themselves are responsible. All that Frank has left now is his new business and a relationship lying in coma, only kept together by two beloved cats.

If you would like to learn how Frank Kusy’s life goes from here, you need to read “Rupee Millionaires”.

My rating of “Off the Beaten Track” is 3 stars (I liked it) on Goodreads and 4 stars (I like it) on Amazon, as the rating systems of these websites differ.


I own and read the paperback, but Goodreads only lists the Kindle edition.


For anyone interested in my reviews of the other books by Frank Kusy, belonging to his travel-memoir series, here are the links:

“Too Young To Be Old: From Clapham to Kathmandu”
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

“Kevin And I In India”
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

“Rupee Millionaires”
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Julie Haigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest book of Frank's is a CRACKER! WARNING-CONTAINS SNAKES!!!!!!

I've read two of Frank Kusy's books before-Kevin And I In India and Rupee Millionaires-both excellent books and this one comes between these time-wise, although it is the latest one written. As these were so good, there was a lot to live up to-did this one? Hell yes! I wondered if this was going to be all comedic or if he was going to do some stronger stuff-yes-there's plenty of action right from the opening chapters and there's still that trademark Kusy comedy in there too. Quite short chapters, easy to read, moves along quickly and then-Snake farm-eek! I love Frank's travel writing style-beautiful descriptions of the scenery in here. So, he was a bit of a scoundrel in those days-striking things, also, shocks with the snakes for me. A good mix. Has pictures-an added bonus for me-these display great if you're reading on a Fire style Kindle or iPad, but, even if you're reading on the e-ink Kindles, you can take a look at the photos in your cloud reader on the computer and see them in full colour. Different choices of words, he has such a comical way with words. Not keen on what foods this market stocks, wild pig, snake, iguana? or you can take it home and kill it yourself?!!!!!I like for the translations to be included as it is here-in brackets. In the book you learn matters of culture eg the monkey dance or Kecak. Variety of the things they've seen, rich variety. I can understand-it's not just him-some women are too quick to latch on and try and tie a man down, marriage and kids: he feels free when he's travelling such as this. But, and he's honest here, now after the fretting for one of his romantic interests, she's here, he's thinking it's not quite as expected. Good, really honest writing. He says this is a crazy year, he did crazy things, snap decision ie getting married-it seemed a good idea at the time he says. This was cheap-only £60 to get married here in Bali. Good descriptive detail. Places he visited, whizzed around. Late and overcrowded buses. Cinnamon cigarettes, not heard of these, there's much to learn about different culture and the things available. This book takes place four years after he'd been to India with Kevin. Crazy year, precarious adventures. All the while he's travelling to get material for this guide book he's doing. He was interviewing 20 or 30 people a day for this guide book with his faithful Walkman, asking travel agencies questions and also other travellers who've had the bus experiences, cheap accommodation etc. This has this raw appeal, honest and gritty, no holds barred. I love learning about places I know nothing about and have never been. Great description, tinged with humour about the state he had been in on a previous trip years ago. Now a twelve hour bus trip that actually takes twenty-two! A bit of history about his father who had died when Frank was two. Very sad, very poor. This is what seemed to influence Frank's look on life. He thinks of going back to Anna, admits he's confused, doesn't just launch into anything without a care. Deer's penis soup? really? he doesn't try it though. Where is this he's staying? Why has he been locked in and what wildlife is slithering????? What a chapter-what a thing to happen, what horrible critters! So this is a bit of travel guide, a bit of memoir, a bit of romantic interest/romp-varied and fun and interesting, easy to read, good pace. At one point in the book someone served some snacks-he had what he thought were something like twiglets and they turned out to be something horrible but I'll let you read and find out what!!!!! All these horribles, I just couldn't go there-glad I'm only going in book form. Can't even get a shower without gross critters and creatures invading on your privacy! Totally raw, down and dirty. Swept along, caught in the waterfall, danger, adventures in this book, right down to basics, at one with the nature, right in the vicinity of the disgusting creatures. Why would a publisher tell him to do that? And what about the serious health issues????? Frank being very frank! Memoir, variety, we follow Frank as he's commissioned to write a guide Bangkok to Bali. Fun and frolics, snakes, cockroaches and other horribles, romantic trauma and troubles, dilemmas. Immerse yourself in this and devour it until you come up for air! Lots of frog on the menu here in Khorat!!!! Yikes! High drama stuff here-unexpected, so it's not just a light hearted comedy travel diary. But then, light relief with tales of neighbours from hell! This latest book of Frank's is a CRACKER!!!! Hurry up and write the next please Frank!

[John Searancke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book that I have read by author and accomplished travel writer Frank Kusy. The first one, entitled Kevin and I in India, I enjoyed so much that I went straight out and bought the next one. And I was not disappointed. Yes, I read that he has been writing on various travels throughout India and Asia for many years, but quite how he puts it all together so as to make me believe that I am there with him, enjoying – if that is the right word – his escapades, I really do not know. It is a talent almost beyond reason. My son and his family went to India last year on holiday. I had no desire to follow them there, but, after reading Frank’s book, I now feel as though I have actually visited the sub-continent for myself, and seen far more of it to boot than they did! Frank writes with an assured and easy going fluency, regaling the reader with tales which, if heard elsewhere, would be outlandish. From the pen of Frank, however, the uncommon quickly becomes almost common, so rapidly does one part of his story tumble along to the next one. Keep up the good work, Frank!

[Susan Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank Kusy does it again, skillfully telling a great story highlighting his travels through Asia in the eighties. This action packed adventure is full of weird and hysterical happenings all along the way—from being accused of murder (when he simply dyed his beard), to being held at gunpoint by guards (until he can find his press pass), to riding a bus that keeps breaking down (but is revived by a voodoo driver and passengers who clap it back to life). Get the idea? Horror travel stories. What all experienced travelers love to hear.

Escaping from a complicated love life, he bumbles on and attempts to lead a trail finders tour, and write travel articles about finding the missing magic off the beaten track. Great fun!

Highly recommended!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travel memoirs don't get better than this one!

If you are searching for an exotic (and sometimes erotic) madcap travel adventure; then look no further than Frank Kusy's latest memoir - "Off the Beaten Track: My Crazy Year in Asia".You don't just read the book, instead you are absorbed into it, as Frank takes you by the hand and leads you through his Far Eastern odyssey. You can hear the dialogue, see the people and experience the places he visits. "Off the Beaten Track: My Crazy Year in Asia" is by far Frank's best book yet – a real full on, in your face, vicarious adventure!

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Off the Beaten Track: My Crazy Year in Asia" by Frank Kusy is a great travel memoir with plenty of humour by a gifted story teller. Written in a very down-to-earth and honest style it drew me in right away, like the juicy adventure story of a good friend.
Descriptions of Asia and its people are a great setting for the action part of the memoir that has some excellent stories to tell. The book is very easy to read and most enjoyable, yet, not without reflection and depth.
Most palatable.

[Tahlia Newland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Off the Beaten Track is a memoir of long time travel writer Frank Kusy, author of the AIA Seal of Excellence winner Rupee Millionaire. Kusy’s experience as a writer shows in the fluid, vibrant prose he uses to describe his travels in Asia in the seventies. This is an engaging story full of anecdotes that have you smiling and shaking your head at the antics of the young Kusy.

The difficulty in memoir writing is to find a thread that unifies the story in the way that the plot does in fiction. Generally, real life isn’t as dramatic as fiction, and in unskilled hands, it’s easy to lose a reader if the account of a person’s life wanders aimlessly. This would be particularly easy to do in a travel memoir, but Kusy has worked skilfully with his material and used the thread of his efforts to both secure and avoid getting a wife in the same way that a fiction writer would use a plot. Though the various anecdotes are interesting in themselves, without this emphasis, they would not provide such a satisfying whole. We want to read to the end to see how young Frank’s bumbling efforts at romance turn out. Frank is an endearing character and his perspective on the world and efforts to live as a Buddhist add another layer of interest to the memoir.

The other theme, as the title suggests, is his desire to get off the beaten track, and the events that thwart his attempts to really experience Asia without a whiff of tourists provide further interest beyond a mere account of his travels. Though not as dramatic as Rupee Millionaires, it’s still a great read, especially for anyone interested in travel in Asia. Highly recommended.

The editing is excellent. My only misgiving was that I would have liked the author to have gone more deeply into some aspects of his journey; for example, the ceremony when the Joju Gohonzon was enshrined in the main temple in Jakarta. No doubt the author has his reasons for staying clear of it, but I felt it was a missed opportunity to go deeper into the culture.

All up Kusy is a very talented memoir writer and this book should be enjoyed by a wide variety of people.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another wonderful action packed and sometimes astonishing tale from Frank Kusy. He escapes from a rather complicated situation in his love life by heading off on a trip from Bangkok to Bali to write another travel journal. Immediately he finds trouble in Bangkok when the motorbike he is a passenger on crashes into a limo and he is held at gunpoint until the guards go through his wallet find his press card and let him go. He is a marvellously gifted storyteller and the incident of the beard dying accident had me almost crying with laughter! The hotel he is staying in is evacuated, police sirens are going off, fellow guests are accusing him of murder – but no – he had ‘simply’ dyed his beard. Frank does not like the usual touristy places and wants to go off the beaten track to give readers a sense of the real country. There are some wonderful vivid descriptions which help to bring the places alive for the us ‘ Colourful clusters of butterflies floated up to us, and the air was alive with the sound of bees, hornets, dragonflies and cicadas’ He has us laughing at his attempts to lead a Trailfinders tour and his ‘marriage’ to Nicky in Bali. I loved the voodoo driver who prayed at his clapped out bus. One Guest House owner offers him accommodation then locks him in an insect infested room! There is no doubt that Frank suffers to get material for his travelogues! At one point he is accused of being an illegal alien led away in handcuffs and held in a room with a noose hanging from the ceiling! He finds himself near a war zone. He learns to ask for food with no frog in it. He goes to Australia with a crazy woman. He has to fight off an enthusiastic Chom! And there’s even more fantastic and incredible tales all in this book. Highly recommended I think I’m just going to have to read it again. I hope there’s more in the future.

[Patrick O'Bryon · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE WELL-EARNED STARS ONCE AGAIN!I read many travel memoirs which take me to regions less likely to be explored in person. But most offer dry verbiage, too-detailed description of tourist sights and structures, too little revelation of the true vitality of the people and their customs.
For those of us who prefer a vicarious but in-depth experience of these worlds apart, Frank Kusy deftly guides us through the good and the bad, the clean and the filthy, the hilarious and the touching…and we feel we’re coming along as a friend as well as following him as a guide. And for those daring enough to actually physically follow in his footsteps, this book would make a splendid and entertaining travel companion.
Kusy’s gifted prose flows naturally and is always a pleasure to read—you feel you are sitting across from him over an (unfortunately) warm Asian beer as he shares his tales. The reader laughs and commiserates. Kusy’s personal insights, adventures, and misadventures are shared with a warm and forthright self-revelation that makes you want to savor each day of his year, no matter how exhausting, physically or emotionally. Kusy is obviously a compassionate soul, and it shows. And you can count on Kusy to surprise and leave you laughing at the drop of a hat.
The entertaining photos add immediacy to the recounting of locales and experiences.
If you haven’t already discovered this fine writer, explore all his books. I find any new Frank Kusy release cause to celebrate as he skillfully draws the reader into the exotic worlds he experiences, whether it be the warmest welcome from the poorest Southeast Asian village, a stunning sunset over desert dunes which thrills the reader as much as it must have the writer, or the richly-woven portrayals of the odd and unusual characters and the fascinating women who peopled this year of his spent “off the beaten track.”

[Payal Sinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Off the Beaten Track” is my first memoir that I have read in some years and I was lucky to have my hand on the best one. I usually prefer fiction to non-fiction, but as the memoir was about places that I am interested in visiting I decided to give it a go. Needless to say I am much glad of my decision for the book turned out to be a real treat. The way Frank Kusy portrays the world, we are actually able to clearly visualize it and thanks to the accompanied photos we get a real idea of his escapades, so much so that we also yearn to take those journeys along with Kusy and participate in his adventures and misadventures. However, I would always want Kusy as a guide and companion in these extraordinary adventures for we do not possess the same amount of common sense, luck and charm to get out of the tricky situations as Kusy does. Luck seems to accompany Kusy at all the places that he decides to visit, but once back home in England, Lady Luck deserts him to take one of her own adventurous journeys leaving Frank to mope for his lost girlfriend and the promised funds. The starting of the book gives a hint of Kusy’s journey with his thirst for exploring lesser known places and his decision of travelling in conventional manner. Moreover, we are introduced to the Casanova side of Kusy’s personality as he strives to have not two but three girlfriends at one time. Kusy’s generosity is also revealed a number of times (he presents three camels to Ram Narayan for starting up a camel trekking company). The thing that I like most about Frank Kusy is that he is not ashamed of laughing at himself and shows us his various faults.

[Caryl Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another corker of a book from Frank Kusy, who is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.
This is the third book written by him that I've read in quick succession. The first was 'Kevin and I in India', the second 'Rupee Millionaires', and this one which covers a time period between both of those books. When you read a book and virtually each sentence will make you either smile or laugh out loud, you know you're onto a winner. Frank Kusy has a way with words. He finds comedy in virtually everything, but often ends up in quite dangerous situations in his quest for a trip away from the usual tourist trail. Very funny things do happen to him and those around him during this 'Off the Beaten Track: My Crazy year in Asia', which is exactly that. There are glimpses into his rather complicated personal relationships and romances that all add to the chronicle of events during the crazy year but retold with honesty and self-deprecating humour. Also along the journey are the interesting, sometimes like-minded characters that he meets, and as before in his previous books the travel/memoir writer describes the journeys, the food he eats and the breath-taking scenery. Highly recommended! I really hope there are more to come.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank Kusy does not disappoint with his newest chronicles of his adventures and misadventures! I love his wit so much and his ability to bring you right into his world and memory with words, descriptions, and in this case pictures. For those of us who do judge a book by it's cover that also does not disappoint- this cover with the elephant and the vivid colors really stands out on my kindle.

What comes through most in this work by Kusy is his vivid love of the world and new experiences. In a time where we keep so much close to the vest Kusy freely writes about falling in and out of love and making bad choices based on his love life. It's really refreshing to hear the honest stories that often mimic what I experience myself.

You would think that because he writes with so much candor that he might lack detail in his journey but he doesn't. Along with his person triumphs and stumbles he brings us through parts of the world we may never see. Asia so far off the beaten trail that you'd almost have to be Asian to be there- right into Australia with their spider craziness.

Everything from a harem of girlfriends to camels as gifts, Kusy is once again a delight to read. If he keeps writing, I may never have to leave America again

[Pat Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Off the Beaten Track, My Crazy Year in Asia is another brilliant Memoir taken from Frank Kusy's travel journals - a must read. If you like travel Memoirs, then go for it. If you've not read one before, then get this, and, you won't be disappointed. Frank Kusy has written a few travel journals that 'thankfully' show you parts of the world that you wouldn't necessarily get to read about/visit eg Off the Beaten Track. This one takes you with Frank from Bangkok to Bali. He cleverly includes his 'adventures', lots of humour & some 'scary' moments in this Memoir - there's never a dull moment in the reading of it and you find yourself wanting more.

The Author also introduces some personal relationships that took part during this journey & you just love some of the characters he meets along the way - the descriptions of these times are so well told both with humour and honesty. You get a 'feel' for the almost majestic & often breath-taking scenery, the food, and, the people during the Author's journey - these only 'add' to the great reading this Memoir provides you. I have no hesitation in recommending this Memoir - I do however wish I had more 'words' to express how good it is. I hope you love it as much as I have & find this review helpful.

Pat Ellis

[Sarah Butfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read travel memoirs from countries and continents I have yet to visit. Bangkok to Bali would be an ideal adventure for me and is still on my bucket list. Frank's story, aptly titled, does not disappoint. It is a 'warts 'n all' honestly written book conveyed in Frank' enigmatic style. A travel memoir showing real emotion, vivid descriptions and informative passages making this a joy to read.
Travel writers who can take you to places using only the power of the written word are to be applauded and Frank does this effortlessly in Off The Beaten Track. This is the second of Frank's books that I have read and enjoyed immensely. The foods described reminded me of Outback Australia and the environmental descriptions make visualising his experiences easy. Highly recommended.

[C-shaw · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you want to read about Asia, don't bother opening this book. There was very little description of the countries visited, just the author whining about his various affairs and the cockroaches he found in the shabby guesthouses he frequented.

[Valerie Poore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a Frank Kusy fan. Of that, there’s no doubt. I’ve read and enjoyed several of his many entertaining, hair-raising adventures, and I loved The Covid Chronicles, so I knew I’d enjoy Off The Beaten Track.

As a travel writer, Frank wants to experience authentic Thailand and Bali and does his best to arrange tours that will give him the real jungle road trips far from the tourist crowds. Without giving spoilers, this is not what happens at all and he becomes side-tracked, embroiled and otherwise distracted by numerous other diversions. However, he does manage some unique trips, although even these don’t work out quite as planned. Creepy crawlies, snakes, hazards and other misfortunes abound, and all the while he is pining for his beloved. Poor Frank!

Crazy, flawed, charming, vulnerable and altogether endearing, Frank writes with an honesty and freshness I really appreciate, and I often laughed out loud at his escapades. But oh my, how he survived, I don’t know. I’m just very glad he did!

[Louise Pronovost · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading Frank Kuzy’s books. It’s like chatting with a friend who has an endless amount of stories that are at times funny, crazy, incredible, cringy... He is a really original writer.

Off the Beaten Path tells the story of his trip in Asia where he prepared 2 travel guides - and at the same about his life during that year.

A highly recommended fun read!

[diana barnfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Crazy is right, what a great imagination. It was a fun read with lots of unexpected dramas. I recommend it.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Frank Kusy books .. full of crazy but interesting experiences ... none of which make me want to follow in his footsteps ..but they are fun to read about ..

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a way to make a living - indulge yourself and call yourself a writer. It's amazing that others pay for the stunts.

[Robert Fear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank's crazy year in Asia

Having just read his first book, ‘Kevin and I in India’, I was keen to immerse myself in Frank’s latest release, and I wasn’t disappointed.

This certainly was a crazy year for him and I became absorbed in his latest adventures straight away. Indeed by the end of the first half of the book I was as exhausted as Frank was.

There is a different aspect to this book as he get's involved in writing travel guides and later starting his own business. His personal relationships, including marriage in a Balinese village, are as mixed up as his travel plans. You are taken to previously unknown places, both physically and emotionally.

I thoroughly enjoyed Frank Kusy’s latest release and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to go ‘off the beaten track’.

Now on to my next read, which I think will have to be ‘Rupee Millionaires’ by the same author.

[Sara W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book better than Kusy's Kevin and I in India. The author seemed to mature as a traveler, or at least what he focused on in the book (although his relationships, not so much - which he seemed to be the first to admit!). It was kind of funny reading him complain about some random traveler's hunt for a Taco Bell (or whatever chain restaurant it was) and other travelers' critiques of naan in a restaurant when in Kevin and I they seemed to be hunting for Western food all the time (and being completely disappointed by it). I especially liked the chapters towards the end about Rajasthan. I plan on reading the next book Rupee Millionaires.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thoroughly disappointed.
I love travel stories and as someone currently living in SE Asia I was excited to hear another travellers insight in to some of the craziest, most exciting places they've visited.
Well the author usually spends about a day in each place, what is there to appreciate? And outside of hearing about a few disastrous bus rides, a good 75% of the book focused on his terrible relationships with women around the world and how he has a tendency to cheat.
The title is a definite misnomer. Should've known since all his books have the same cover art that this would be rubbish.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner!

This is my 3rd read by Frank and it didn't disappoint!
Frank's love for adventure and his dislike of all things tourist has him looking for every nook and cranny of "off the beaten track" to write his travel guide. Both hilarious and heart warming. At age 35 he starts doing some soul searching about himself and love and I found him quite endearing. He has this soft, quick wit about him that makes it easy to meet people and the adventures abound. I'm off to start the next adventure with Frank in Rupee Millionaires!

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this might give more insight to the cultures in Asia, but instead it is more about how he is handling his own life problems and having to be away from them. He briefly talks about things he sees and experiences, but mostly with other travelers he meets up with along the way. It was interesting enough to keep reading and finish the book, though.

[Roger Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Proves you don't have to be crazy to do crazy

An easy 4 stars. Could have been 5 with a bit more suspence and dramatic tension... An amusing and easy read the only "hook" being the authors

[Scott · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this authors sense of humor hard to appreciate. His constant attempts to be matter of fact during tense or highly charged situations rather got on my nerves after a while. Curiosity of the outcome was the only reason I finished reading this book.

[bruce a tangeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud!

This great book was the adventure of a lifetime. I am jealous of his experiences even though I would never in this life attempt some of them. One of the best I've read. Travel across India and Thailand with a wonderful crazy man.

[Awesome Indies Book Awards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include OFF THE BEATEN TRACK: MY CRAZY YEAR IN ASIA by FRANK KUSY in the library of Awesome Indies' Badge of Approval recipients.

[Shivangi]

This book is so white it's absolutely stifling to me, a South Asian brown person.