Far and Away

Reporting from the Brink of Change

By: Andrew Solomon

Narrated by: Andrew Solomon

From the winner of the National Book Award and the National Books Critics’ Circle Award—and one of the most original thinkers of our time—“Andrew Solomon’s magisterial Far and Away collects a quarter-century of soul-shaking essays” (Vanity Fair). Travel narrative and global cultures come alive in this extraordinary collection.

Far and Away chronicles Andrew Solomon’s writings about places undergoing seismic shifts—political upheaval, cultural transformation, and social change. From his stint on the barricades in Moscow in 1991, when he joined artists in resisting the coup whose failure ended the Soviet Union, his 2002 account of the rebirth of culture in Afghanistan following the fall of the Taliban, his insightful appraisal of a Myanmar seeped in contradictions as it slowly, fitfully pushes toward freedom, and many other stories of profound upheaval, this book provides a unique window onto the very idea of social change. With his signature brilliance and compassion, Solomon demonstrates both how history is altered by individuals, and how personal identities are altered when governments alter.

A journalist and essayist of remarkable perception and prescience, Solomon captures the essence of these cultures. Ranging across seven continents and twenty-five years, these “meaty dispatches…are brilliant geopolitical travelogues that also comprise a very personal and reflective resume of the National Book Award winner’s globe-trotting adventures” (Elle). Far and Away takes a magnificent journey into the heart of extraordinarily diverse experiences: “You will not only know the world better after having seen it through Solomon’s eyes, you will also care about it more” (Elizabeth Gilbert).

One of my favorite authors

I appreciate the flow, honesty, creativity of his words and experiences of his travels. I’m a both traveler and wanderer myself, but as an air element I can surf the waves of his element of water and metaphorical expressions. Some of the waves are intense, fast, choppy, strong, while others are smooth, clear, and draw me back in to surf again and again.

Touched my soul, heart and intellect

What did you love best about Far and Away?

Beautiful insights, language and prose. I felt like I was inside Andrew's head pondering his adventures. I cried, laughed out loud and shared his stories with anyone who would listen. I highly recommend this book.

Poor choice of narrator

Sometimes, an author gives a good performance of his/her own work. Not this time. Solomon is a rich, eloquent writer and his examination of situations in the places to which he has traveled (excellent distinction between traveller and tourist) is unexpected and revealing. Unfortunately I had to stop before the end because I found his preachy, sing-song delivery too off-putting. It's a shame.

excellent

A bit less cohesive than his other work but I expected it as it is a collection of essays. This book is a rare window into places and cultures most people will get to know otherwise. Andrew Solomon has arguably the best job in the world and he is entirely worthy of it.

History from a different angle!

Where does Far and Away rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Enjoyed this book, it was very long but never was boring and I learned a lot about the whole world. It is one of the best books I have ever read/listened to.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Solomon talks about many many countries individually; he covers the culture, the peoples, the conflicts, the arts, the foods, the politics of countries you don't know much about and many you do. He covers his trips to these places, who he met, who went with him, what happened to people he met, etc., over about the last 25 years.

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

No.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Glad I listened to this long book; I learned so very much about many countries and their history. If you never thought people are the same all over, this book will convince you that yes they are!

Any additional comments?

I recommend this book for adults interested in history and culture and the arts. Some of the difficult war conflicts described make it unsuitable for some.