There is no doubt that there are many people who are well-versed in the demons found in the publishing world, and their experience is probably far greater than any I will ever have. For this newbie, the expectation/fear of an independent review of my book was a scary thought.
So when I found my first truly detailed and professional review, I opened it with great trepidation, as if I was back at school preparing for yet another assassination at the hands of my teacher. Consistent, if unencouraging, English. In short, I expected him to be criticized for grammatical errors and general incompetence.
However, after reading it and digesting the positives and negatives written by Alex Roddie of UKHillwalking, all I can say is… Bang On…. much appreciated Alex!“….this extremely amusing book about one man’s 5,000 mile journey around the British coast……it is a beautiful glossy book, profusely illustrated with dozens of photographs, including very good double-page spreads. …..this is truly a book to dive in and out of as well as read cover to cover.
On the negative side, he certainly got it right in saying that I struggled to edit the book and find a narrative beyond the original blog that worked. I really could have used his professional skills to identify places where I could cut out the excess prose and be a little more limited. However, if you know me, you’ll know that I can ramble a bit (excuse the pun) and perhaps needed to cut down on the boring bits, even though I thought they were just as important – don’t if only to demonstrate the full flavor of the ride.
“……despite its many qualities, the book tends to become a little repetitive in places. Let’s be real, the daily routine of coastal walks is not that interesting to read about, even if you are the most committed outdoor enthusiast…”
On the positives. All I can say is thank you Alex. It’s really nice to know that he saw through my facade and understood that I don’t like to take life or myself too seriously.
“The story is always positive and light, with a good dose of humor and many comments on the landscapes it crosses…………The book has a happy and fun feel and I think it takes itself less seriously than many outdoor books. volumes.
“……this book grew on me and I found myself captivated by the gradual process of life on the trail supplanting normal life, becoming ordinary in itself, so that the inevitable return home became the next big adventure.”
So sincerely – thanks again Alex. You can clearly express yourself much more succinctly than I ever could.
Read the full review here.