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Weird Travel #2
Don't Come Back: a funny travel adventure of bad-tempered baboons, black magic, and breakups
Can a spam e-mail change your life?
Adam Fletcher sure hopes so, because his life is a mess. He’s lost:
His home…
His girlfriend of nine years…
His love of travel…
His hair, and much of his confidence
But then, during an argument with his deeply irritating friend Nick, he checks his spam folder and finds a mysterious invitation to the trip of a lifetime. If he takes it, maybe he can turn everything around?
Except Nick decides he’s coming too.
What could go wrong?
Well, just about everything when Adam:
Fights a mandrill in South Africa armed with only a sock
Tests black magic with a witch doctor’s love spell
Develops an erotic attraction to a purple Cadillac in Havana
Hikes into a volcano to meet people with perhaps the worst job in the world
Visits a bizarre, bloody funeral hosted by the strangest tribe in Indonesia
Learns why it’s a bad idea to become a gold digger in Papua New Guinea
Can he change himself and his life? And if so, will the price be worth paying?
Both about the people who go, and the places they visit, Don’t Come Back is a hilarious travelogue-meets-memoir full of weird characters, awkward situations, and delightfully British humour.
It can be read on its own or as a follow-up to Don't Go There.
Come on an unforgettable journey today!
Adam Fletcher sure hopes so, because his life is a mess. He’s lost:
His home…
His girlfriend of nine years…
His love of travel…
His hair, and much of his confidence
But then, during an argument with his deeply irritating friend Nick, he checks his spam folder and finds a mysterious invitation to the trip of a lifetime. If he takes it, maybe he can turn everything around?
Except Nick decides he’s coming too.
What could go wrong?
Well, just about everything when Adam:
Fights a mandrill in South Africa armed with only a sock
Tests black magic with a witch doctor’s love spell
Develops an erotic attraction to a purple Cadillac in Havana
Hikes into a volcano to meet people with perhaps the worst job in the world
Visits a bizarre, bloody funeral hosted by the strangest tribe in Indonesia
Learns why it’s a bad idea to become a gold digger in Papua New Guinea
Can he change himself and his life? And if so, will the price be worth paying?
Both about the people who go, and the places they visit, Don’t Come Back is a hilarious travelogue-meets-memoir full of weird characters, awkward situations, and delightfully British humour.
It can be read on its own or as a follow-up to Don't Go There.
Come on an unforgettable journey today!
326 pages, Paperback
Published July 8, 2019
515 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Adam Fletcher
28 books132 followersGet a free book at - http://adam-fletcher.co.uk
Adam Fletcher is a 38 year old bald Englishman living in Berlin, Germany. When not shamelessly selling his life in story form, he spends his days eating chocolate and napping. He's a particularly good napper.
He's the author of eight traditionally published books, including three Spiegel bestsellers, and has sold more than 350k copies combined, not all of which were to his mother, he hopes. She no longer lets him in her garage. Adam specialises in taking you, from the comfort of your favourite armchair, to the strangest countries and places in the world with his popular Weird Travel series.
He also writes comedic fiction as Adam R. Fletcher - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Adam Fletcher is a 38 year old bald Englishman living in Berlin, Germany. When not shamelessly selling his life in story form, he spends his days eating chocolate and napping. He's a particularly good napper.
He's the author of eight traditionally published books, including three Spiegel bestsellers, and has sold more than 350k copies combined, not all of which were to his mother, he hopes. She no longer lets him in her garage. Adam specialises in taking you, from the comfort of your favourite armchair, to the strangest countries and places in the world with his popular Weird Travel series.
He also writes comedic fiction as Adam R. Fletcher - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
February 9, 2020
It's kinda fun...
The good stuff:
• I loved the safari in Africa and the enthusiasm of his guide, Matthew. I think it's my favorite part of the book.
• It was also interesting (but sad) to learn about the sulfur mines in the Ijen volcano.
• I guess that I also liked the kind of epiphany he had in terms of finding self love. He really had low self esteem, and it drived me crazy sometimes.
The not-so-great:
• His account on Cuba. The long queues, his description of the decoration, and the food. I mean, I've never been to Cuba but I've tried authentic Cuban food made by Cuban immigrants and the food is far from bland. I also thought he was an idiot for letting Kayleigh go.
• His food poisoning (or whatever sickness) in Indonesia. It must have been added for humor, but it was anything but funny. I seriously didn't want to know about the time he spent all day throwing up at sea and missed out on swimming with turtles, for then to just get an IV and vitamins at a very unsanitary hospital. He was probably just seasick.
• Sunny... poor bastard. Serves him well for accepting to go on an illegal trip. Definitely NOT Hollywood-worthy, but the author knew that.
• Having some paragraphs with titles and others not felt like a half-assed job. Why not divide the book by parts instead?
• Page counts: they disappeared at 45% and came back at 65% of the book. It might have been an app issue, so I didn't consider it towards my rating.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading this book. I'm just not a fan... who has read 2 of his books already (LOL). I don't think I'll buy his third book either. I might read it if it's on Kindle Unlimited.
The good stuff:
• I loved the safari in Africa and the enthusiasm of his guide, Matthew. I think it's my favorite part of the book.
• It was also interesting (but sad) to learn about the sulfur mines in the Ijen volcano.
• I guess that I also liked the kind of epiphany he had in terms of finding self love. He really had low self esteem, and it drived me crazy sometimes.
The not-so-great:
• His account on Cuba. The long queues, his description of the decoration, and the food. I mean, I've never been to Cuba but I've tried authentic Cuban food made by Cuban immigrants and the food is far from bland. I also thought he was an idiot for letting Kayleigh go.
• His food poisoning (or whatever sickness) in Indonesia. It must have been added for humor, but it was anything but funny. I seriously didn't want to know about the time he spent all day throwing up at sea and missed out on swimming with turtles, for then to just get an IV and vitamins at a very unsanitary hospital. He was probably just seasick.
• Sunny... poor bastard. Serves him well for accepting to go on an illegal trip. Definitely NOT Hollywood-worthy, but the author knew that.
• Having some paragraphs with titles and others not felt like a half-assed job. Why not divide the book by parts instead?
• Page counts: they disappeared at 45% and came back at 65% of the book. It might have been an app issue, so I didn't consider it towards my rating.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading this book. I'm just not a fan... who has read 2 of his books already (LOL). I don't think I'll buy his third book either. I might read it if it's on Kindle Unlimited.
February 14, 2024
I picked this because it is the sequel to the last book I read, Don’t Go Here. It started off pretty good, and it was fun to read about all of the cool places the author visited, but at the end it gets a little too introspective. In several parts, the author gets very judgmental about other cultures and his travel companions.
July 23, 2019
Hard to put down
This is what i love best in a travel book. Clear and astute descriptions, grounded by the personal growth of the traveler. Kept me reading when i should be sleeping.
This is what i love best in a travel book. Clear and astute descriptions, grounded by the personal growth of the traveler. Kept me reading when i should be sleeping.
January 8, 2021
I was rather relieved to find that this was the same author of Don't Go There, and there were in fact not two somewhat unlikeable writers with annoying German girlfriends who seek out places I usually end up getting sent for work. This is another tome of his travels for anyone who thinks they can deal with another.
May 27, 2020
A fun and informative read, the author gives glimpses into 3 of his travels: South Africa, Cuba, and Indonesia, while also revealing many of his personality quirks. Had never heard of the so called funeral practices of the Toraja, was fascinated and appalled, and somewhat disgusted.
July 31, 2019
Dear Adam, I just... Thank you! You have no idea how much you help me 😁
August 1, 2019
More fun, light, quirky travel tales.
December 13, 2020
Another really enjoyable travel book by Adam Fletcher. Didn't quite enjoy this book as much as the first but still very interesting.
June 16, 2022
I've listened to a book (audiobook) by this author before, so I knew what to expect - actually not too much: uncoordinated travel movements, this time from South Africa to Cuba to Indonesia; and little depth with an extra focus on those things that don't go as expected and a focus on all the uncomfortable moments. (Enjoyed the episode with the Tinder dates in South-Africa.) The black, somewhat, faint humour, has a relaxed effect on me. Because of this audiobook, I have experienced some fairly stressful travel movements for work (such as being stranded by train because of a jumper) as relaxed as I was listening this. I realize that this book will irritate some people, but it works for me.
June 24, 2021
I have never heard someone so perfectly sum up the experience of travelling to and around Cuba alone, while not speaking much Spanish. It was a nightmare for me a few years ago and reading Adam's experience was almost cathartic.
That aside, this is a really fun book, not unlike his first in the series, "Don't Go There". It's got a similar tone to Danny Wallace's books ("Yes Man", etc) which are some of my favourites, and is just a light-hearted, easy read that kept me smiling.
That aside, this is a really fun book, not unlike his first in the series, "Don't Go There". It's got a similar tone to Danny Wallace's books ("Yes Man", etc) which are some of my favourites, and is just a light-hearted, easy read that kept me smiling.
December 2, 2019
Pretty darned good for a self-published author. Adam Fletcher knows how to string a tale, adds some humor to it, and generally hits all the high notes of a quick readable travelogue that sparks wanderlust.
As there almost always needs to be some kind of back story to these kinds of books, this one is less "Don't Go There"s narrative of places visited that others usually don't, but rather a "why has my life gone astray, let's see if travel can fix it" kind of thing. He breaks up with his girlfriend of some nine years, then spends months (or even a year? Hard to say) bouncing between countries (South Africa, Cuba, Indonesia) finding a new sort of Adam (he argues) in experiencing the cultures there without painting them all as backward, which is a danger in travel writing.
Overall: Enjoyable armchair travel and a quick read. 3 stars for "I liked it" although in the long scheme of things I think it will not make long-term impression in my memory of books, and "Don't Go There" had more lols. Still: would recommend for fans of Bill Bryson, for instance, and travel essays in general.
As there almost always needs to be some kind of back story to these kinds of books, this one is less "Don't Go There"s narrative of places visited that others usually don't, but rather a "why has my life gone astray, let's see if travel can fix it" kind of thing. He breaks up with his girlfriend of some nine years, then spends months (or even a year? Hard to say) bouncing between countries (South Africa, Cuba, Indonesia) finding a new sort of Adam (he argues) in experiencing the cultures there without painting them all as backward, which is a danger in travel writing.
Overall: Enjoyable armchair travel and a quick read. 3 stars for "I liked it" although in the long scheme of things I think it will not make long-term impression in my memory of books, and "Don't Go There" had more lols. Still: would recommend for fans of Bill Bryson, for instance, and travel essays in general.
February 3, 2020
I was a bit skeptical ...
When I first started reading this book. I have been reading a lot of travel memoirs and this book is nothing like any of those. First off, Adam Fletcher, the author? Well, I wasn't sure if I was supposed to find him funny or pitiful. So, I read on. Oh, now I get it. This is book two. No wonder I was confused. Well, I plodded on like a good reader should and I started to enjoy his stories. However, there were a couple I didn't like, hence the 4 star rating, but 90% was interesting and fun. I guess I need to go back to book one now. Hmm. Maybe that one will get 5 stars now that I understand Adam a bit better.
When I first started reading this book. I have been reading a lot of travel memoirs and this book is nothing like any of those. First off, Adam Fletcher, the author? Well, I wasn't sure if I was supposed to find him funny or pitiful. So, I read on. Oh, now I get it. This is book two. No wonder I was confused. Well, I plodded on like a good reader should and I started to enjoy his stories. However, there were a couple I didn't like, hence the 4 star rating, but 90% was interesting and fun. I guess I need to go back to book one now. Hmm. Maybe that one will get 5 stars now that I understand Adam a bit better.
October 16, 2020
Mr Adam entertained me again with this wonderful and easy to read light hearted book. Always looking forward to each new destination of his and see who he meets and what gets him out of his comfort zone. Reading about his African safari experience which starts with an unsuitable vehicle and unsuitable friend getting lost in unsuitable jungle, reading about the sexual behaviour of dragons in Indonesia which make his past love live look romantic. Experiencing Cuban microseconds in mortal illness on a floating boat and more. Doesn't matter if you like travel or even travel books, Mr Adam will take you into a giggle adventure of his mind in this book. Well worth reading.
December 22, 2019
Adam Fletcher's book- 'Don't Go There' made me read his next book- 'Don't Come Back', since both books explore unique places with lots of humor added in. In the book- 'Don't Come Back', the author travels to few places in countries- South Africa, Cuba, Indonesia. In this book, the places are described in much more detail, compared to his other book & the travel experiences get a lot funnier too. Among all the places described in the book, Torajaland in Indonesia looks interesting (rather unbelievable) for its unique rituals.
December 30, 2019
I started and ended 2019 with Adam Fletcher's books and both rank amongst the best travel books I've ever read. He had a gift with words with a series of vivid, laugh-out-loud descriptions.
This sequel benefits from more time spent in each of the three countries with more insights into local life and the author's own as a result. My only gripe read that some of the lessons learned (e.g. overcoming lack of enthusiasm for dancing) were also lessons learned in the first book.
Definitely worth a read.
This sequel benefits from more time spent in each of the three countries with more insights into local life and the author's own as a result. My only gripe read that some of the lessons learned (e.g. overcoming lack of enthusiasm for dancing) were also lessons learned in the first book.
Definitely worth a read.
January 31, 2020
2.5 stars. Travelling is better than getting there some people would say. This seems to definitely apply to Adam, whose stays in Cuba/South Africa or Indonesia often seem to make him miserable or put him in a bad mood. But in the writing there is a shimmer of light with some great descriptions of local customs and rituals, gory though they seem, especially in Indonesia. I mean, he's just an average Joe Bloggs with a talent for writing. Light read. Some quirky humour, ocasionally brilliant insights.
June 11, 2020
Great read, took me back to my travels and also learnt some stuff
Really enjoyable to read, having read the first book "don't go there" it's nice to follow Adam's journey. It's a lighthearted recount of the wonders of travel in some fascinating places. I learnt some new things about some interesting countries whilst also being taken back to my own adventures. Everyone has a food poisening/sickness abroad story that they can look back on with Adam's and laugh, now. Looking forward to the next book to see if the witch dr's potion worked and what chaos lies ahead.
Really enjoyable to read, having read the first book "don't go there" it's nice to follow Adam's journey. It's a lighthearted recount of the wonders of travel in some fascinating places. I learnt some new things about some interesting countries whilst also being taken back to my own adventures. Everyone has a food poisening/sickness abroad story that they can look back on with Adam's and laugh, now. Looking forward to the next book to see if the witch dr's potion worked and what chaos lies ahead.
August 4, 2020
More interesting travels with a humorous twist
Adam is back and this time he is travelling to South Africa, Cuba and Indonesia. He seems determined to find the weird and unusual again and takes us through the back streets and introduces us to the real-life characters of each town that he visits. This is a travel memoir with a difference, as the author really makes you feel that you are travelling along beside him, he covers the journeys with wit and honesty. And then he blindsides you with a cultural observation about the world which leaves you thinking ‘Yes, exactly!’ Highly recommended.
Adam is back and this time he is travelling to South Africa, Cuba and Indonesia. He seems determined to find the weird and unusual again and takes us through the back streets and introduces us to the real-life characters of each town that he visits. This is a travel memoir with a difference, as the author really makes you feel that you are travelling along beside him, he covers the journeys with wit and honesty. And then he blindsides you with a cultural observation about the world which leaves you thinking ‘Yes, exactly!’ Highly recommended.
August 25, 2019
We need more Adam
Who else is like Adam Fletcher? Nobody i know so reading his off the charts well written and hugely amusing adventures is something I want more of! Greatly entertaining mixed in with great characters a dash of caring and laugh out loud arm chair reading.
A very talented wordsmith i hope he keeps this wonderful series going.
Who else is like Adam Fletcher? Nobody i know so reading his off the charts well written and hugely amusing adventures is something I want more of! Greatly entertaining mixed in with great characters a dash of caring and laugh out loud arm chair reading.
A very talented wordsmith i hope he keeps this wonderful series going.
September 16, 2019
Travel adventure wjth a great sense of humor
5 stars because:
- I laughed multiple time out loud
-learned something about the different places
-felt like I was traveling myself and seeing the world
-this book just overall made me smile. I loved the author's attitude and reflections
-fun, easy read. Well written. Hard to put down
-I'd love to read more books from this author!!!
5 stars because:
- I laughed multiple time out loud
-learned something about the different places
-felt like I was traveling myself and seeing the world
-this book just overall made me smile. I loved the author's attitude and reflections
-fun, easy read. Well written. Hard to put down
-I'd love to read more books from this author!!!
November 26, 2019
Mission Accomplished
On a journey after a breakup, Adam travels to... unusual places and encounters interesting locals. His observations of the uniqueness of each locale is not only insightful but hilarious. His narratives remind me a lot of Bill Bryson, and that’s a good thing.
Get back on the road, please!
On a journey after a breakup, Adam travels to... unusual places and encounters interesting locals. His observations of the uniqueness of each locale is not only insightful but hilarious. His narratives remind me a lot of Bill Bryson, and that’s a good thing.
Get back on the road, please!
November 27, 2019
Wild ride
I truly enjoy and appreciate your books. I get to travel and experience all the wonders and cultures of this wonderful planet. If you like humor but also learning a little bit about different places and people then read this author. I've enjoyed each book he has written.
I truly enjoy and appreciate your books. I get to travel and experience all the wonders and cultures of this wonderful planet. If you like humor but also learning a little bit about different places and people then read this author. I've enjoyed each book he has written.
November 23, 2019
Really fun book, but the first 40% of it was just him complaining about his ex and being sad and then hanging out with a weird friend in South Africa. It got really good, and more like the first book, when he went to Indonesia and Cuba.
April 21, 2020
OK
I'm so dense that I didn't realize I'd read another book.bynghis bloke already. This one is fine,.his.humour is very.bad but descriptions are good. Worth reading. But I actually gave it four stars but it didn't like it and gave itself five!
I'm so dense that I didn't realize I'd read another book.bynghis bloke already. This one is fine,.his.humour is very.bad but descriptions are good. Worth reading. But I actually gave it four stars but it didn't like it and gave itself five!
May 2, 2020
It’s readable but lightweight. I don’t think I’ve learnt anything having read it and it has a fairly flimsy theme - the author splits up from his girlfriend and visits three unrelated countries. That’s about it.
July 21, 2020
Interesting and funny
Oh I pray Adam keeps writing....and traveling if he can. He just has a great eye for observation and personal insight. And the stories! Super interesting. Definitely read this book. Its fun!
Oh I pray Adam keeps writing....and traveling if he can. He just has a great eye for observation and personal insight. And the stories! Super interesting. Definitely read this book. Its fun!
August 8, 2020
"Life is mostly a collection of nice tries, valiant efforts, and narrow misses. But then, occasionally, you sit in a moment having the crystal-clear realisation that this is the rarest of things: genuine human connection."
September 19, 2020
Enjoyable light read
The author makes a wonderful memoir, a romp through dark tourism and hilarious escapades with a delightful array of characters both familiar and new. A fun read to live vicariously through the author.
The author makes a wonderful memoir, a romp through dark tourism and hilarious escapades with a delightful array of characters both familiar and new. A fun read to live vicariously through the author.
October 22, 2020
An entertaining book
Adam is a great writer. I love how he puts words together. It was a pleasure reading this book (and another one by him). I often laughed out loud, mostly about the way he described events and characters. I felt refreshed after reading this book.
Adam is a great writer. I love how he puts words together. It was a pleasure reading this book (and another one by him). I often laughed out loud, mostly about the way he described events and characters. I felt refreshed after reading this book.
August 26, 2019
So clever with words
I love understated humor and I love travel stories. This author writes using both but more compelling is his evolving as he travels. Very well written
I love understated humor and I love travel stories. This author writes using both but more compelling is his evolving as he travels. Very well written
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews