An interesting read with a different back story. However, there is good writing and memorable characters, both human and equine.ĭisappointing that there are no illustrations, except for those on the cover, although a film was made (laboriously and playing its part in adding to the difficulty of the journey) and the companion was supposed to be producing sketches. He seems unapologetic about how difficult he is to live with, which isn’t hugely appealing, and then there’s a bit too much soul-searching about his need for ‘authenticity’ which doesn’t really work if you haven’t engaged that much with him in the first place. While Bealby is clear about his own role in the personal issues and romantic let-downs, and talks about what he learns along the way, this aspect reads a bit like a presentation at a corporate motivation seminar. The rest of the book details the actual journey, including buying horses, learning their ways and travelling through some of the most amazing scenery in the world. Actually, salt is rubbed into the wound in a way which does make you feel a bit sorry for him, although it does seem rather a fool’s errand in the first place. Much of the book covers this search and the acclimatisation of the woman he selects to Pakistan, at the beginning of his planned journey along the famed Silk Road, and to travelling with him, which proves somewhat more difficult … and the ultimate, unsurprising, disappointment. When the woman of his dreams bails on him, the TV deal that he’s already got forces him to search for a new travelling companion to help to make the film he’s promised, and feature in it herself as a potential romantic interest. This came to me at a BookCrossing meetup, unregistered, so I popped a BCID into it and released it on a book share table at a book event I attended last week.Īn inveterate, indeed compulsive traveller, after many years on the road and a share of tragedies, Bealby falls in love with an intriguing and rather difficult woman and plans the ultimate road trip with her. Johnny Bealby – “Silk Dreams, Troubled Road” Intriguing, eh? I do love a good travel book – do you? I’ve travelled with books to places I’d never travel on my own, and while a good novel can help you to understand what it’s like to live somewhere, a good travel book will give you so many insights in a different way.
One is based in the UK, one is more exotic both were good reads one was by a writer who I’ve always found very engaging, one was by one who I found a bit less so. Two travel books under review today, both visible on that front row of my TBR to your left.
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