The Long Hitch Home
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4.3 • 11 Ratings
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- $24.99
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- $24.99
Publisher Description
Tasmania to London. 800 hitchhiking trips. One year. Intrepid traveler and author Jamie Maslin does it again as he undertakes one of the most grueling, enlightening, and hilarious journeys of his life.
How many rides does it take to hitch from Tasmania to London? Intrepid traveler and rogue wanderer Jamie Maslin decides to find out. The Long Hitch Home is a vibrant travelog of well-researched social, cultural, and historical introductions to the score of countries Maslin passed through.
Whether writing about the exotic backstreets of cities few of us will get to see firsthand, or the unique geographical wonders of far off countries, Jamie Maslin gives a thrilling account of what it is like to hit the road and live with intensity and rapture.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Travel writer Maslin (Iranian Rappers and Persian Porn) delivers a unique but uneven account of hitchhiking from Australia to London, relying on free rides and meals from people whose customs and languages are unknown to him. Throughout, Maslin waxes philosophical about the wonders of hitchhiking. The locations he visits range from depressing to breathtaking, and he provides just enough historical context to capture each place. However, his disdain for other tourists seems to clash with some of his own antics: antagonizing a driver after assuming the guy was planning to rip him off, attempting to bribe officials, and ignoring a ban on traveling near an active volcano. His afterthought acknowledgement of the privilege of coming from a wealthy country seems insufficient. He also emphasizes the earlier parts of his trip, skipping nearly all of Europe. Nevertheless, this harrowing and brutally honest chronicle of Maslin's journey is gripping from start to finish.
Customer Reviews
Fascinating Account
If you have ever considered a VERY long distance hitch hiking expedition this is the book for you. The detailed descriptions and diverse people Jamie encounters as he thumbs his way from Hobart, Tasmania, back to London are intriguing.