Slow Boats to China - Softcover

Young, Gavin.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0525481060 ISBN 13: 9780525481065

Publisher: E, 1984

Synopsis

It started as a simple idea, an adaptation of the old dream of running away to sea: take a series of ships of many sizes and kinds; go where they lead for a few months; see what happens. Inspired by memories of his childhood on the inhospitable Cornish coast, discouraged from planning a route by unhelpful travel agents and unreliable shipping guides, Gavin Young embarked on a game of traveller’s roulette. Starting at Piraeus, with Canton as his final destination, he would board any vessel moving in the right direction: tanker, freighter, dhow or junk, visiting as many ports of call as possible in between. It took seven months and twenty-three vessels to complete the journey, and in spite of frustration, anxiety and near despair, this extraordinary account sparkles with colour and excitement, through encounters with pirates, unspeakable food and lasting friendships formed.

‘A joy to read, engaging, civilized, sharply observant, richly descriptive and sometimes hilarious . . . a genuine modern adventure story’ Graham Lord, Sunday Express

‘An unusual and fascinating book’ Hammond Innes, Guardian

About this title

Book Description:

‘Storms, fleas, pirates, bad food and bureaucrats . . . Mr Young suffered what he did to entertain us’ Anthony Burgess, Observer

About the Author:

Gavin Young was born 24th April 1928. He was a journalist, war correspondent and travel writer. He was the author of Return to the Marshes (1977), Land of Two Rivers (1979 ) and In Search of Conrad (1992). He was awarded with the Thomas Cook Award for In Search of Conrad. He died in January 2001.

About this edition

• Publisher: E
• Publication date: 1984
• ISBN 10: 0525481060
• ISBN 13: 9780525481065
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 489