Getting Stoned with the Savages

A Trip through the Islands of Fiji and Vanuatu

By: J. Maarten Troost

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Getting Stoned with Savages again reveals Troost's wry wit and infectious joy of discovery in a hilarious account of life in the farthest reaches of the world.

After two grueling years on the island of Tarawa, Troost was in no hurry to return to the South Pacific until he began to feel remarkably out of place in modern America. He knew it was time to set off again for parts unknown. Here he tells the story of his time on Vanuatu, a cluster of islands where he struggles against typhoons, earthquakes, and giant centipedes but finds himself swept up in the laid-back, clothing-optional lifestyle of the islanders. When his wife Sylvia gets pregnant, they decamp for slightly more civilized Fiji, a fallen paradise rife with prostitutes and government coups, where their son takes quite naturally to island living.

©2006 J. Maarten Troost (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Perfect of its sort.

What made the experience of listening to Getting Stoned with the Savages the most enjoyable?

A memoir of two years on a South Pacific coral atoll written a counter cultural Dutch/ Czech/American ne'er-do-well who has nevertheless done very well as an observer of his world and fearless taster of unaccustomed customs. He must equally amuse and frustrate his NGO administrator girlfriend/spouse. As a former recruiter of volunteers for service in the South Pacific, I appreciated the absurd authenticity of his tale.

This is one of the few books that has delighted both my mildly rebellious daughter and her fuddy duddy mother.

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

You mean that wasn't Martin himself? You could have fooled me. Simon Vance is also the best of his ilk.

J. Maarten Troost is my favorite!

I can't get enough of Troosts stories of travel, interactions and perspective on cultures.

I laughed outloud many times

Would you listen to Getting Stoned with the Savages again? Why?

Yes, this book was so good. It was entertaining and informative.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I love Simon Vance - I have listened to so many of his book. Including the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. He is my favorite narrator

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, definitely.

Amazing book

Would you listen to Getting Stoned with the Savages again? Why?

I loved this book , i would listen to it several times in a row.

What other book might you compare Getting Stoned with the Savages to and why?

I liked Sex Lives of Cannibals .. it was even better than Stoned with Savages

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

His character was the best

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Any additional comments?

Amazing book, especially if you're moving to the pacific. I listened to it right when I moved to Hawaii and before I began traveling to the outer pacific.

a pleasure to hear

This book is interesting and hilarious. Troost has a great way of bringing across the details of somewhere far away, and presenting the shocking and uncomfortable realities as part of a great adventure. The narrator is right on for the text--understated, self-effacing, ironic. The only drawback is listening to the whole book too fast--its not one of those grave but worthy books that you have to prod yourself to listen to. This one will lift your spirits.

Not as good as the first one

If you're only going to listen to one J Maarten Troost travelogue, definitely make it the other one: The Sex Lives of Cannibals. If, after listening to that one, you're dying for more, then get this one, but be prepared for a little disappointment. It's good, but it's not as good.

Getting Stones with the Savages

What a delightful book! I had greatly enjoyed "Sex Lives of Cannibals" and hoped that this sequel would live up to my expectations. It did! Hilarious, insightful and wonderful fun! The narration is spot on, too.

loved it

i loved this audio book. just as great as the first.

An itinerant traveler

The author is a misanthrope, for that matter so am I. Tired of the 9-5 grind for a second time, he returns to the hot, laid back life of flip flops and sand. There are many funny things that happen, as could only happen on an equatorial island and we are treated to all of the hilarious details along the way. Simon Vance is a fabulous narrator once again. With a clear British accent that add to the humorous prose. I am a big fan of Mr. Troost and look forward to listening to his latest work soon.

Great, relaxing listen

If you’ve listened to one of this author’s books , you’ll want them all. All basically the same, almost a continuation of each other. Life on an island, talking of the people and customs, etc. a nice bit of humor throughout and Simon Vance narrating. What more could you ask for ?