The Big Red Train Ride

by Eric Newby

Book Overview

Used Book This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140095403
• ISBN13: 9780140095401
• Release Date: May 1985
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 267 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.

Customer Reviews

One of the funniest travel writers ever...

This was my first Eric Newby book, and I was hooked. Newby and wife Wanda travel throughout the Soviet Union searching hopefully (and often in vain) for a decent meal, a warm blanket, and helpful railroad staff. They never really succeed, but the journey they bring us along on is worth the trouble. It's just plain funny. Newby doesn't lob jokes at the reader, but tosses them off underhand for the most part, so the humor creeps up on you. He knows how to go for the bellylaugh, but most of the book has a dryer touch. Newby doesn't go for cheap shots, he's not mean spirited in the least, but his semi-sympathetic, long-suffering, and sometimes hung-over take on exploring the side roads of Russia is addictive fun. I have now followed eric and Wanda on many journeys and am still enthralled. Discovering an unread Newby is like getting a surprise birthday gift. The only reason I give it four stars instead of five, is that I think Jane Austen is a five star writer. Shakespeare merits five. Except for a limited pantheon, everyone else should get three or fewer stars, but I don't want to discourage anyone from Mr. Newby's work. It's a great read and a great introduction into the further adventures of Eric and Wanda.