Himalaya
by Michael Palin
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Michael Palin reads his own entertainingly written account of his journey accross the countries of the Himalayas, accompanying a major BBC TV series in 2004. In his most challenging journey to date, Palin tackles the Himalayas, the greatest mountain range on earth. It is a virtually unbroken wall of rock stretching 1800 miles from the borders of Afghanistan to South-west China. Penetrated but never conquered, it remains the world's most majestic natural barrier, a magnificent wilderness that show more shapes the history and politics of Asia to this day. Having previously risen to the challenge of seas, poles, dhows and deserts, the highest mountains in the world were a natural target for Michael Palin. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Everyone knows by now that I really enjoy Michael Palin’s travel diaries of his TV series (even though I have read more of the books rather than watch the series). Himalaya has spent some time on the bestseller list and it’s easy to see why. Palin and crew cover areas that the average person would be unlikely to visit and give you a warts and all experience, including what it feels like to have altitude sickness and meet the Dalai Lama.
I haven’t seen the TV series of this one, but I bet it’s majestic. The pictures in my copy covered spectacular scenery, as well as scenes from a different lifestyle (eg. catching fish and putting them down the front of your shirt). Once again, Palin’s style of writing is easy to read and easily show more transports you from your comfy chair to Nepal, Pakistan or Mt Everest. He is honest about when he’s not really liking something (like a bad cold going up to Everest) and truly delightful when he enjoys the experience.
I think I’m fairly unlikely to visit any of the areas Palin visited any time soon (my travel desires revolve around Europe, south east Asia and North America at present) but at least I can sound intelligent about the area thanks to Michael!
Read it if: you’re an armchair travel or are saving for your next trip. It’s not full of Monty Python references (sadly). show less
I haven’t seen the TV series of this one, but I bet it’s majestic. The pictures in my copy covered spectacular scenery, as well as scenes from a different lifestyle (eg. catching fish and putting them down the front of your shirt). Once again, Palin’s style of writing is easy to read and easily show more transports you from your comfy chair to Nepal, Pakistan or Mt Everest. He is honest about when he’s not really liking something (like a bad cold going up to Everest) and truly delightful when he enjoys the experience.
I think I’m fairly unlikely to visit any of the areas Palin visited any time soon (my travel desires revolve around Europe, south east Asia and North America at present) but at least I can sound intelligent about the area thanks to Michael!
Read it if: you’re an armchair travel or are saving for your next trip. It’s not full of Monty Python references (sadly). show less
I only dimly remember the TV series, and the photos in the paperback veriosn of the book are not very helpful, quite small and dark.
Palin's friendly voice comes through in his writing, even when discussing events that are quite serious, like members of the crew suffering from altitude sickness seriously enough to be hospitalised and senior army officers being kidnapped by Maoists during a Gurkha recruiting session.
The book can really ony scratch the surface of some of these fascinating place, but there is a 'further reading' list at the end for those who want to explore more and I certainly will. And perhaps re-watch the series.
Palin's friendly voice comes through in his writing, even when discussing events that are quite serious, like members of the crew suffering from altitude sickness seriously enough to be hospitalised and senior army officers being kidnapped by Maoists during a Gurkha recruiting session.
The book can really ony scratch the surface of some of these fascinating place, but there is a 'further reading' list at the end for those who want to explore more and I certainly will. And perhaps re-watch the series.
Taking in parts of Pakistan, India, China, Bhutan and Bangladesh, this marathon journey is quite entertaining, with some stunning photos and informative and often amusing text.
For Himalaya, Michael Palin spent more than 120 days traveling the Himalayan Mountains, starting on the Pakistan/Afghan border and continuing through India, Nepal, China, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. It’s a difficult journey, with obstacles ranging from sickness and bad weather, to the abduction of one of the British Army officers who accompanied Palin in Nepal. But there’s also great beauty in the mountain ranges and in the people Palin meets.
There were parts of this book that I liked a lot. Palin’s anecdotes about the people he met and some of the strange experiences he had were entertaining and illuminating, pointing out cultural differences in a humorous way but without seeming to make fun. And he fills his descriptions with show more details, making it easier to picture the unusual places and people he visits.
Even though parts of the book worked quite well, I really think that audio isn’t the best format for this kind of travel memoir. Without a clear narrative, it’s hard to stay focused, and there are no maps or photos to help the listener get acclimated. Instead, it’s just like a series of amusing anecdotes with some talk of pretty scenery and lots of “after we left here, we went there.”
Read my complete review at my blog. show less
There were parts of this book that I liked a lot. Palin’s anecdotes about the people he met and some of the strange experiences he had were entertaining and illuminating, pointing out cultural differences in a humorous way but without seeming to make fun. And he fills his descriptions with show more details, making it easier to picture the unusual places and people he visits.
Even though parts of the book worked quite well, I really think that audio isn’t the best format for this kind of travel memoir. Without a clear narrative, it’s hard to stay focused, and there are no maps or photos to help the listener get acclimated. Instead, it’s just like a series of amusing anecdotes with some talk of pretty scenery and lots of “after we left here, we went there.”
Read my complete review at my blog. show less
Pretty interesting at a reasonably superficial level. I found it useful as an introduction to many places that I hadn't read much about, while it brought back some memories of places I had been to. As Palin says in his introduction, he isn't trying to convey much depth; the book reads more like a notebook jotted down after each day's travels.
Wonderful photographs, drenched in colour; a great book for just dipping into and reading a couple of pages, but of course, not enough time or scope for depth to develop. But as a taster for the countries he visited, good fun.
Yet another travel book from Palin in his inimitable and amusing style, this book is a companion to the TV series. Written as a diary this is very easy to read.
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title*
- Himalaya
- Original title
- Himalaya
- Alternate titles*
- Гималаи. Крыша мира
- Original publication date
- 2004
- Important places
- Himalayas; Bangladesh; Bhutan; China; India; Nepal (show all 8); Pakistan; Tibet
- Related movies
- Himalaya with Michael Palin (2004 | IMDb)
- First words
- I've always had a soft spot for my Penguin Encyclopaedia of Places. (Introduction)
Below the walls of the fort that guards the Khyber Pass there is a viewing platform on which rows of chairs are set out, facing Afghanistan, like circle seats at the theatre. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Only after the camera's turned off for the last time and we're heading for the muddy shores of the Sundarban Islands do I have time to feel that umbilical connection between the water I'm on now and the remote mountains where it all began for us, many months and several thousand miles ago.
- Original language*
- Engels
- Disambiguation notice
- This is the book, please don't combine it with the video.
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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- 13
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- (3.72)
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- ISBNs
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