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From Here to There: a father and son road trip adventure from Melbourne to London
'Somehow, I convinced myself it was a good idea. Somehow, I convinced myself that it was do-able. Now I shake my head...
We drove through the Gobi desert in Mongolia in a snowstorm, avoided an Iranian sedan doing cartwheels on the freeway near Tehran, wove around the shores of the Caspian Sea and navigated the desert in Turkmenistan.
We learned to say thank you in thirty languages and dispensed fluffy koalas to traumatised small children in obscure mountain pockets from Laos to Kurdistan. We kicked an Aussie Rules footy across borders and taught customs officers how to do a drop-punt from Timor Leste to Uzbekistan.
We ate bark and ox blood and worms and pigs ears and eel and curries so hot we nearly fell off our chairs. We bribed police in five countries, ignored parking tickets in another six and got lost pretty much everywhere.
We squabbled over food and farting, snoring and sneezing.
It was total folly and it was the best thing you can ever do. I would do it again and I would not recommend it to anyone.'
In April 2008, Jon Faine and his son Jack closed their door on their Melbourne home and leaving jobs, studies, family and friends, took six months and went overland to London in their trusty 4-wheel-drive. This intelligent and funny recount of the countries they visited, people they met and trouble they got into, is also the story of a tender father-son relationship.
We drove through the Gobi desert in Mongolia in a snowstorm, avoided an Iranian sedan doing cartwheels on the freeway near Tehran, wove around the shores of the Caspian Sea and navigated the desert in Turkmenistan.
We learned to say thank you in thirty languages and dispensed fluffy koalas to traumatised small children in obscure mountain pockets from Laos to Kurdistan. We kicked an Aussie Rules footy across borders and taught customs officers how to do a drop-punt from Timor Leste to Uzbekistan.
We ate bark and ox blood and worms and pigs ears and eel and curries so hot we nearly fell off our chairs. We bribed police in five countries, ignored parking tickets in another six and got lost pretty much everywhere.
We squabbled over food and farting, snoring and sneezing.
It was total folly and it was the best thing you can ever do. I would do it again and I would not recommend it to anyone.'
In April 2008, Jon Faine and his son Jack closed their door on their Melbourne home and leaving jobs, studies, family and friends, took six months and went overland to London in their trusty 4-wheel-drive. This intelligent and funny recount of the countries they visited, people they met and trouble they got into, is also the story of a tender father-son relationship.
- GenresTravelNonfiction
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 9, 2015
The author and his 19 year old son, Jack, pulled off their goal of Australia to London by motor vehicle, though the project was nearly derailed entirely at a few points. They begin by ship to Timor Leste (East Timor) to see how that new nation has recovered from years of brutal Indonesian occupation, and then on through Indonesia and southeast Asia to China - which takes up a large part of the story - and then west through Mongolia, the 'Stans, Iran and Turkey.
Most of the book is narrated by Jon Faine, in a manner strongly reminiscent of Michael Palin (with an Australian accent). Jack makes a few comments here and there, as well as reading a couple of long sections from his point-of-view late in the saga.
Jon's reading was quite clear, but the first half of the book seemed rather dull to me. I confess that I was a bit turned off by his interjection of so much politics, such as his French friends who were "in exile" in Asia in despair over Sarkozy's election, etc. Ho Hum. Jon has a sense of humor - his depictions of food, regulations, and such, are sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. However, there are times where his pessimism over poverty, etc. struck me as grim; he also seemed a bit naive for someone from his background. Bottom line: he and I wouldn't likely be pals, but I give him credit for his accomplishment.
Jack ... on the other hand ... I couldn't really get a handle on. I'd thought he was much younger until his actual age was mentioned. On the one hand, he's mentioned as having traveled extensively himself, but on the other, he sometimes seems overwhelmed by the situation. There's a scene in Turkmenistan(?) that's done in the format of a theatrical script (which went on longer than it should've), where Jack's navigation skills are a complete mess. If he were really that inept, they'd likely never have made it as far as Darwin! I fast forwarded through his longer sections as he seemed to mumble to me.
I'd recommend the book as the story of a unique experience, although the parts didn't make a cohesive narrative for me.
Most of the book is narrated by Jon Faine, in a manner strongly reminiscent of Michael Palin (with an Australian accent). Jack makes a few comments here and there, as well as reading a couple of long sections from his point-of-view late in the saga.
Jon's reading was quite clear, but the first half of the book seemed rather dull to me. I confess that I was a bit turned off by his interjection of so much politics, such as his French friends who were "in exile" in Asia in despair over Sarkozy's election, etc. Ho Hum. Jon has a sense of humor - his depictions of food, regulations, and such, are sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. However, there are times where his pessimism over poverty, etc. struck me as grim; he also seemed a bit naive for someone from his background. Bottom line: he and I wouldn't likely be pals, but I give him credit for his accomplishment.
Jack ... on the other hand ... I couldn't really get a handle on. I'd thought he was much younger until his actual age was mentioned. On the one hand, he's mentioned as having traveled extensively himself, but on the other, he sometimes seems overwhelmed by the situation. There's a scene in Turkmenistan(?) that's done in the format of a theatrical script (which went on longer than it should've), where Jack's navigation skills are a complete mess. If he were really that inept, they'd likely never have made it as far as Darwin! I fast forwarded through his longer sections as he seemed to mumble to me.
I'd recommend the book as the story of a unique experience, although the parts didn't make a cohesive narrative for me.
November 10, 2012
No disputing a remarkable journey. At times the book can get a little bogged down in the logistical nightmares of crossing countless land border-crossings. Can feel like the cultural insights get a little substituted for logistical complaints but then again, that really would have been the nature of the trip. Some magnificent imagery to bring life to the words definitely adds value, and makes you feel like a little kid with a picture book again.
September 4, 2011
Jon and Jack recently spoke at my son's school and they told a fascinating tale, the audience, myself included, loved it.
The book tells much of what was in their talk which is as much about their personalities, relationship and wish fulfillment as the diverse and sometimes wonderful places they visited.
The book tells much of what was in their talk which is as much about their personalities, relationship and wish fulfillment as the diverse and sometimes wonderful places they visited.
April 11, 2013
This book actually bored me. John came across as self centred & pessimistic. I didn't get a great sense of jack or the after son relationship. It breezed through most of the countries leaving little or no impression of the culture or people. Not a fan!
April 5, 2013
I loved this book! Can't believe they did this trip! Logistical nightmare., but loved the story along the way of the out of the way places they stayed, the food, the people they met. I really felt as I though I was on this journey!
Want to read
November 19, 2010I was lucky enough to meet the author and have this book signed! Looking forward to reading it over the summer
July 1, 2011
Reading this to Helen
Interesting, more as a statement on the kind of person he is rather than the trip
Interesting, more as a statement on the kind of person he is rather than the trip
October 20, 2013
really enjoyed this, great honesty and escapism
October 10, 2013
I just didn't want this journey to end, I found it to be such an enjoyable read.
July 29, 2017
I loved every inch of this book. I heard Jon and Jack Faine talk about this book on Sunday Night Safran years ago and had always been interested in finding out more. I am so glad my local Vinnies had it for $3... a complete steal for how much enjoyment this book brought me.
(Also, as someone who isn't loving their job at the moment, it really spoke to me to get out and travel!)
(Also, as someone who isn't loving their job at the moment, it really spoke to me to get out and travel!)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews