With his trademark dry wit, observant eye, and a sense of the absurd, Enfield is the perfect companion for a tour of Ireland's most beautiful areas, from the lakes of Killarney to the idyllic Joyce's Country, and from the dolmens of Clare to the deserts and neolithic remains of Mayo.
©2006 Edward Enfield; (P) Clipper Audio
Weather Fan
"Very charming, informative & entertaining narative"
Yes, and I am now listening to it a second time. The writer/reader, Edward Enfield, sounds as though he is personally talking to the listener with his reminiscences and insights into Ireland. Having been to Ireland and specifically the areas he tours (riding on his bicycle) I can picture the villages and other sites along the way as he rides up the west coast of Ireland. Remarkably, he sets out on this tour at age 60+, and that is also my age group, which makes another connection with me, but I think that anyone who has a sense of adventure and a wonder for travel will enjoy this, but especially for those familiar with the landscape and people of Ireland. Very enjoyable listen.
I enjoy books where the writer takes you on the road through the countryside, and I've read several about Ireland including "A Course Called Ireland" (walking and golfing in Ireland), "McCarthy's Bar," "An Innocent in Ireland," "Whoredom in Kimmage," "A Book of Migrations," "The Irish Way," and one other I forget the name of by a former rock grouper who in travels around Ireland comes across (separately) Meryl Streep and Newt Gingrich. Also, I have yet to read the book "Around Ireland in Low Gear," another book by an older gentleman riding his bicycle around Ireland. I wish they were all available as audio books.
Very easy delivery, pleasant voice, personal style, stories are concise and interesting.
No, it's more fun to listen in pieces, such as taking my dog for a long walk every morning, listening in bed before sleep or during the night. I'm in no rush to complete the journey through Ireland, so a leisurely pace of listening stretches out my mental visit.
We need more books like this, especially on Ireland! And, congratulations to Mr. Enfield on his interesting and adventurous journeys, and for writing and reading about them.
Vedic Meditation Teacher / Business Consultant / Mother of Five / Storyteller / Enjoyer of Life
"Travel through Ireland narrated by the author"
I am getting ready to travel to Ireland for the first time, and I have enormously enjoyed listening to this book - which I have done multiple times. An excellent choice for anyone who intends a visit, especially for the first time.
"Grandpa Got a Bike"
Two eggs for breakfast or one; noisy or quiet neighbors? This ia a retired guy's travelogue of his 2-week ride through Western Ireland. He rambles through pedestrian details and when he runs out of material (which happens quickly), he chats about his army service where he met some Irish people, etc. He comes across as a harmless but boring old drone, and listening to him is like being in a room with the TV on in the background. As another reviewer had noted, his voice is quite pleasant, but I put this audiobook aside after about 2 hours to move onto something with a little more content than this aimless chatter.
"A rather enjoyable listen."
If you like traveling essays that cover the ground at a pace faster than walking, but slower than behind the steering wheel, this book may be for you. Hopefully audible will carry some of the authors books very soon.