In Review

04 December 2008 05:02 BST

Do Travel Writers Go to Hell? by Thomas Kohnstamm

Published by Three Rivers Press, out now, paperback, 272 pages, £9.99.

In a nutshell...

Captivating, hilarious, revealing, dizzying, intoxicating.

What's it all about?

Thomas takes us on a journey to his "dream job", exploring Brazil in search for freedom and adventure.

The compulsive traveller decides to "turn pro" and say no to New York, his boss and his girlfriend.

Declaring stability a thing of the past, Thomas swirls his way down to the heart of Brazil, where partying and drugs quickly replace work.

The poor lad soon realises how difficult his task is, involving exploring six Brazilian states in less than two months, in rough conditions- as indeed who can write for backpackers better than a real backpacker?- with people partying all around him.

This is a first-hand tale about travel writing, a never-ending succession of tricky and hilarious situations, as well as an invitation to travel and say no to reason.

Who's it by?

Do Travel Writers Go to Hell? is Thomas Kohnstamm's first novel.

A professional traveller, Thomas has amply contributed to travel editions for Time Out New York and the San Francisco Chronicle, but also for Forbes, Travel + Leisure and many others.

Thomas, 32, wrote his first book for Lonely Planet shortly after graduating and later worked for another dozen destinations including Chile, Venezuela, Colombia, the Caribbean and Latin America.

The author currently lives in Seattle, Washington, where he grew up.

As an example...

"You must learn how to practice steady control over your mind and body. I perfected all of that holistic, mind-over-matter s**t in India. I wasn't enlightened in some ashram or taught by a yogi, but was forced to learn by sitting in the back of a bathroomless bus."

Likelihood of becoming a Hollywood blockbuster

The author has found a niche. The book is the first of its kind, a must for anyone attracted to the world of backpacking and adventure travel.

Do Travel Writers Go to Hell? is entertaining, and although I doubt it will become a bestseller, it will definitely seduce its public.

What the others say

"[The author] offers a solid understanding of the mechanics of the travel-writing industry and a unique ability to illuminate that world to readers." - Kirkus Review.

"On the long list of genres we hope enjoy a short life, macho-travel-writer-tell-all is at the top." - Time Out Chicago.

So is it any good?

This is a real tale of passion, fun and misfortune- totally captivating.

The author's writing is simple but meaningful; words are always used with a journalistic precision, allowing Thomas to tell us about his worst scenarios in a naturally ironic way.

The book also gives us an insight into drug and sex-related problems in developing countries, as well as into the impact of guide books and mass tourism on local communities.

The comments put forward by the book have certainly caused a commotion among the travel writing business, leading Lonely Planet's Australia-based CEO Judy Slatyer to say: "We are now urgently reviewing all current books Thomas contributed to, using authors on the ground and others."

Do Travel Writers Go to Hell? is not a blasphemous accusation against Lonely Planet. It is rather a tale of love and hate, counting the strenuous and dizzying nomadic life that backpackers always seem to worship.

8/10

Aurore Jouanin