Iberia

by Julian Sayarer

On a two-wheeled journey across Spain and Portugal, Julian Sayarer returns with his characteristically keen observations on adventure, humanity, and politics. Set against the backdrop of the pandemic, this is a travelogue about the 'in-between places', the lives of the people found there, and an old blue bicycle called Miles.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Spain

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Thom · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lifelong cyclist I was really excited to see what this writer’s take on lockdown was going to be. M glad I did. None of the Lycra, kit or weight breakdown…none of that macho posturing on distances or pain barriers. This is someone riding a long way, not to brag about it but to share the joy, the questions and his, humble, ruminations on the road. ‘To show the world only as I found it; that world which, I still cannot help but feel that we all would fall in love with, if only we could see it in such simple terms as these’. His books are always a joy, but he seems to find a new lyricism here, and it bubbles across the page, a sort of urgent, effervescent stream of ideas, thoughts, vignettes and oddly, hope. This is a much bigger book than it looks. It will resonate for years to come. We’re witnessing the Jack Kerouac/Dervla Murphy/Albert Camus of our times stride on. In years to come you’ll have to pretend you’ve read this….if you don’t do it now. Great stuff.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully beautifully written book. Sayarer perfectly captures both the excitement, openness and vulnerability of being a cyclist. Narrating his journey from Lisbon to Barcelona with historical and real time anecdotes which are a real joy to read. I really appreciated his thoughts on what comes next next in terms of the pandemic and geo political tensions. His conclusion, regardless of the outcome: the most important thing health and safe passage.

[Hugh · Rating 2 out of 5]

A gentle and philosophical cruise through the peninsular with some carefully-put and provoking points. Sadly, however, these points were few and far between, surrounded by a majority of rather pretentiously written self-righteous musings.

[Nathalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit pretentious for me. Too much on his thoughts and not enough about the journey. Still, I started so I finished......

[Marius · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found the writing and thoughts shared quite uninteresting. While I thought I could enjoy and find these musings calming and poetic I mainly found it drab and pretentious.

[Gary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the cycling travelogue one might expect. A stream of consciousness series of aphorisms, few of which ascend above the level of platitude.

[Alison Grosvenor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this commentary on life as the author cycled from Portugal to Barcelona during COVID times. Personally, I would have enjoyed more information about the route he took - there was more of this in earlier chapters (from memory) and the few people he met. I will definitely be reading more of his books.

[Emma Glaisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected. But so much more.

A fascinating insight into someone’s thoughts, the ideas sparked by his experiences. Julian’s questions about people and how we interact are very immediate and resonated strongly with me. But he’s much more articulate!

[Alfie Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant read that captures the freedom of travelling with the vaguest of plans perfectly. Sayarer bombards the reader with beautiful descriptions of his surroundings as he travels through a pandemic struck Portugal and Spain.

[Adam Becket · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed this ramble

[Brendan Ng · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not my style unfortunately, but a nice journey!

[Karellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read but kind of unsatisfactory. Certainly not a patch on Tim Moore’s brilliant “French Revolutions”. This one might get donated to my local Oxfam shop.

[Paul Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange book. Supposedly about a bike ride across Iberia but very little about Iberia. Lots of musings about life and the strange times around COVID

[Christopher Hillier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it but not quite what I expected. I should have paid more attention to the blurb.

[Jonathan Freeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have read the blurb on the back of the book more carefully but I still think it is rude to call a book Iberia and then provide as much information/detail about it as the heating instructions on some pot noodles.
As the publisher is so small I really wanted to like this book but apart from the book cover I didn't . It confirmed all my prejudices against cyclists. Lots of cod philosophy where the author is the enlightened one and everybody else is a blithering idiot.

[Theo McNeill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good first half. Sort of drifts in politcal idealism by the end of the book, making the final pages a welcome relief from the disconnected, unaware, and frankly self-righteous musings of the author.