The Backpacker Audiobook By John Harris cover art

The Backpacker

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The Backpacker

By: John Harris
Narrated by: Tom Lawrence
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A gripping adventure that takes the listener on a backpacking trip through South East Asia.

John’s trip to India starts badly when he finds himself looking at the sharp end of a knife in a train station cubicle. His life is saved by the enigmatic Rick, who persuades John to abandon his mundane plans for the future for much, much more.

Fast forward to the Thai island of Koh Pha-Ngan, where they pose as millionaire aristocrats in a hedonistic Eden of beautiful girls, free drugs, and wild beach parties. Soon pursued by the Thai Mafia, they escape to Indonesia, Australia, and Hong Kong, facing danger at every turn.

©2001 John Harris (P)2011 Audible Ltd Travel Writing & Commentary
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Would you try another book from John Harris and/or Tom Lawrence?

The narrator Tom Lawrence was very good, I would easily listen to another performance. The author John Harris is better at fiction/semi-fiction than reality.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The book is a retelling of a story in that age old pub fashion/fishing story. A small little adventure blossomed into a grand story with the retelling. The teller may think it really happened that way but the reality is likely much more sedate. Much like James Frey and his "A Million Little Pieces", there is a lot of embellishment in a story branded as non-fiction. It is an entertaining read though, just not true to the non fiction travel genre.

What does Tom Lawrence bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Its an all around great performance. His voice matched the mental picture of the protagonist in the story. He is properly emphatic when the story calls for it.

"A Million Little Pieces" of travel books.

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Absolutely love this book. As i get a bit older and more into family life, this book helps me escape back into my more exciting days

2nd time i’ve listened to it!

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I am not sure if everything is true (I would love to read more interviews from the author), but John Harris is a very descriptive and entertaining writer, that really captures your attention and will bring about a urning for travel and exploration. I will add that his moral compass is not always in check, but at least he seems to realize it! Also, the reader does a fantastic job of sounding different with each character and making the book come alive.

Very Entertaining and Captivating!

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I listened to the entire first half of this book and it just never grabbed me. I just got bored. Too bad really because I love the setting, and The Beach is one of my favorite books. Things happen occasionally, but more often the story is filled with long accounts of not especially exciting train rides, pointless conversations between characters who you are not certain are relevant to the story, and inexplicable decisions on the part of the main character.

Gave up

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