From Here to There

De: Jon Faine, Jack Faine

Narrado por: Jon Faine

In April 2008, Jon Faine and his son Jack closed the door on their Melbourne home and, leaving jobs, studies, family and friends, took six months and went overland to London in their trusty 4-wheel-drive. This intelligent and funny recount of the countries they visited, people they met, and trouble they got into, is also the story of a tender father-son relationship.

©2010 Jon Faine (P)2010 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Ambitious project, slightly disappointing book

The author and his 19 year old son, Jack, pulled off their goal of Australia to London by motor vehicle, though the project was nearly derailed entirely at a few points. They begin by ship to Timor Leste (East Timor) and then on through Indonesia and southeast Asia to China - which takes up a large part of the story - and then west through Mongolia, the 'Stans, Iran and Turkey to Europe.

Most of the book is narrated by Jon Faine, in a manner strongly reminiscent of Michael Palin (with an Australian accent). Jack makes a few comments here and there, as well as reading a couple of long sections from his point-of-view late in the saga.

Jon's reading was quite clear, but the first half of the book seemed rather dull to me. I confess that I was a bit turned off by his interjection of so much politics, such as his French friends who were "in exile" in Asia in despair over Sarkozy's election, etc. Ho Hum. Jon has a sense of humor - his depictions of food, regulations, and such, are sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. However, there are times where his pessimism over poverty, etc. struck me as grim; he also seemed a bit naive for someone from his background. Bottom line: he and I wouldn't likely be pals, but I give him credit for his accomplishment.

Jack ... on the other hand ... I couldn't really get a handle on. I'd thought he was much younger until his actual age was mentioned. On the one hand, he's mentioned as having traveled extensively himself, but on the other, he sometimes seems overwhelmed by the situation. There's a scene in Turkmenistan(?) that's done in the format of a theatrical script (which went on longer than it should've), where Jack's navigation skills are a complete mess. If he were really that inept, they'd likely never have made it as far as Darwin! I fast forwarded through his longer sections as he seemed to mumble to me.

I'd recommend the book as the story of a unique experience, although the parts didn't make a cohesive narrative for me.

Great travel story

My family loved this book - we listened during long car trips. It reminded us of travel we have done in Asia and is inspiring us to travel in a more adventurous way. Mind you, they have put us off travelling to Mongolia. It was also good hearing perspectives from both Jon (father) and Jack (son). It says a lot about them that they were able to travel together for so long.

Great travelogue plus father son bonding / agony

First off, as you listen / read along "From Here to There," you feel like you are traveling with Jon and Jack. If you like travel stories you are in for a great ride - especially in the central Asia section. They struggle with local red tape obtaining visas. How they finagle their way to whatever the next destination is fascinating, entertaining and exhausting at once.

Narration is mostly done by father Jon but occasionally Jack the son takes up the role and this gives this audiobook a nice change of pace. Also included in the work is some playful dramatized rendition of the journey by what I consider to be a professional narrator. He narrates it in a traditional storytelling style with Jon and Jack still reading their own lines. Initially I didn't like this part so much but now it seems to have grown on me with my third listen. I'm laughing with it. The more I listen to this this the better it gets.

Jack seems to have a knack for getting under his father's skin and I would say "Why not?" when the son has to be with his father for an enormous amount time in the confines of a car. Jon depicts his frustration with his intentionally or unintentionally sabotaging son with good humor. Their hilarious exchange had me in stitches at times. This father son angle gives this book another dimension unlike many other travelogues.

In the closing part of the book, Jack the son expresses his thoughts on this his-father-conspired crazy itinerary and sprinkles it with touchingly kind words to his father. It was touching and left me with unexpected warm feelings. I tremendously enjoyed this vicarious ride with them more than half the world through many a off-the-beaten-track destinations. It was such a gratifying journey.