Book 60, Country 66 - Republic of Kiribati

The Sex Lives of Cannibals - J Maarten Troost - first published 2004

The author and his girlfriend Sylvia, who works for an aid organisation, spend 2 years living on the island of Tarawa, which is part of the Republic of Kirbati (pronounced Kiri-bas), formerly the Gilbert Islands, in the South Pacific.  Far from being a tropical paradise, Tarawa is a small overpopulated, drought-striken island with no formal sewage or rubbish disposal system - it all ends up on the surrounding reef, which smells lovely when the tide goes out.  Maarten Troost tells the story of their life on Tarawa humorously and portrays the I-Kiribati people in an honest but sympathetic way.  However it won't do much for Kirbati's tourism industry!  The only cannibals in the book are the local dogs.  It really is a dog eat dog world!  It is a shame that there are no photos in the book, as I couldn't find many online.  I look forward to reading the author's book Getting Stoned with Savages on my next Around the World in 80 Books tour.  8/10

26th December 2011

Book 59, Country 65 - New Zealand

Tu by Patricia Grace - first published 2004

I thought this novel was going to be set in New Zealand.  However in the opening chapter Tu, youngest of 3 Maori brothers, joins the army and sets off for Italy in 1943.  Half of the book is set in Italy, including the battle to capture Monte Cassino (in gory detail) but the other half is the story of Tu and his brothers Rangi and Pita's childhood, first in an unnamed place and then in Wellington after the death of their father.  The book offers an insight into Maori culture and traditions.  I was unaware that Maoris had fought for the Allies in the Second World War.  The story was a bit laboured in places but overall it was ok.  This was the only book of my journey so far that I haven't been able to borrow from my local library.  6/10

20th December 2011

Book 58, Country 64 - Australia

The Broken Shore by Peter Temple – first published 2005

Detective Joe Cashin is recovering from a recent trauma and has therefore been sent to the quiet small South Australian town where he grew up to recover his confidence.  However a rich local man is attacked in his own home and later dies and Cashin leads the investigation.  Most of the characters in the book, including the police officers seem to spend most of their time swearing, which may be realistic but was a bit off-putting.  The storyline is okay but not exceptional and it wouldn’t make you want to go to South Australia on holiday.  Presumably the story is set in winter, as it always seems to be raining and/or cold - I thought it was only the British who were always talking about the weather! 5/10

24th November 2011