Sunday 27 April 2014

Growing Old Outrageously. Book review.

I have just finished this delightful book. Hilary Linstead and Elisabeth Davies are two old school friends who unexpectedly met up again 35 years later to find that they both love travelling, and the more exotic and far flung places the better. They went on a trial holiday to Morocco to see whether they would get along together. They did, which was surprising because they are as different as chalk and cheese. Never the less that was the start of a series of wonderfully unusual holidays, and Hil and Liz have been travelling around the globe ever since. 
Among many other destinations, they have taken in Marrakech, Fez and the Atlas Mountains, Patagonia, and Istanbul. They've been on Safari in Namibia, Botswana, and the Serengeti. Been to Naples and Prague, Mull and Iona.

I really enjoyed reading about the adventures of these two crazy ladies. Miriam Margolynes says it all on the back cover, 'You'll never be the same after reading this.....It's completely original - insightful, moving and very funny, a glorious experience proving for always, that if you seize the day and have the courage, you need never grow old.' I can echo that.

I was disappointed to read quite a lot of negative reviews on a couple of web sites. Maybe I'm easily pleased, but I liked the quirkiness of it, and didn't take it too seriously. I don't think it was meant to be a serious travel book, it was about two women of a certain age having fun, which I found very entertaining.
Toodle pip.

16 comments:

  1. Mary in Perth Australia28 April 2014 at 00:16

    Sounds like my kind of book. I love that sort of thing, more so as I get older. I remember in previous generations older people were a bit staid and grumpy-ish. Now I'm over 60 I seem to be getting funnier.......I shall look out for the book.

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  2. Hi Ilona
    The book sounds like a great read, and I agree with Miriam Margolynes who I think lives here now : )
    AussieCheryl

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  3. Me again I looked on Miriam Margolyes youtube channel and she became an Australian citizen last year, she's a very warm, intelligent and funny lady !!
    AussieCheryl : )

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  4. I'd love to have that kind of adventure with a girl buddy.
    Jane x

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  5. This sounds like a lovely book, I'm going to keep an eye out for it. Thanks for the recommendation. :)

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  6. That sounds a right good read. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled in the chazzas! x

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  7. It sounds brilliant .... and right up your street ;-)

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  8. Oh, that is a wonderful recommendation. Will look out for the book and am sure I shall enjoy it!

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  9. When we were on holiday in Norway we met two ladies who were well into their 80s who had been travelling together since they retired, a good few years ago. Despite advancing years and a few health issues, they really enjoyed their holidays and have also travelled to all sorts of places. To be honest they were a real inspiration to us 50 year olds! May well try to read this book. Thanks for the review.

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  10. Wow, it seems to be a great read, I enjoy books about adventures and travel, thanks for the recommendation

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  11. I'll look out for that in the library it sounds like a fun summer, sitting on the beach book. Its funny how peoples taste in books can be so different. I'm reading a fantastic book at the moment, its unputdownable, but couldn't believe the poor reviews some people had given it. Debbie.

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  12. Got to look out for that book. I wonder if it's published over here. I read your blog regularly -- especially because you visit some of my old haunts. Used to live in Yorkshire. You are a very entertaining writer -- never dull.

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  13. That sound an interesting read. I`m off to sunny Marrakech again in October, so maybe I should read this before then.

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  14. I am just about to try a sample on my Kindle.

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  15. Sounds like a wonderful read. Going to see if my library can get it.

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  16. I was looking for a holiday read, so ordered this from Amazon - used, 1p + £2.80 p&p, still cheaper than a glossy mag.

    Hope to find actual 2nd hand bookshops on holiday (1 book won't last 2 weeks!). I do buy new books when I can so the authors get their royalties, but couldn't do that all the time......

    Hope your trip goes well with good meetings and great scenery. Look forward to seeing the pics and reading all about it!

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