WENDY DALE
1 Hilarious
This book is absolutely hilarious. I laughed so hard the entire time that I didn't want to finish it. Read it, you won't regret it.
2 Little Bo-Peep
This book is a fluid and easy read yet I still found myself an avid reader, unable to finish it. The author talks about her little-bo-peep adventures like the hardships and interesting things she experiences have made her a wise sage. Her voice becomes redundant and obnoxious. While she seeks these hardships she can talk to no end about, she is a middle class white girl whose mundane life bores even her to death. I found no moral, lesson, or value from reading most of this book. The author appears bright and probably likable, but reading this book was like being on a bad date in which the person accross the table will not stop talking about how bright they are, tough they have had it, adventures they have had etc......
3 Wacky, witty, and wonderful!
I'm always very suspicious of authors I've never heard of. I have a distinct problem with plunking down $20 bucks or so for a book that I can't trust to be good. Still, intrigued by the title, I purchased this book from the fabulous Wendy Dale.
I definitely wasn't sorry. This book was highly amusing, and brutally honest, as we follow her to "some of the most dangerous places in the world". At moments, it caused me to spew orange juice through my nose.
The thing I most enjoyed was how easily I could relate to her. Self-indulgent or not, who hasn't spent time blaming their parents for the state of their lives and their neurotic behaviors?
I eagerly await her next book!
4 If you enjoy promiscuity and drunkeness then this is for you
Although it had it's moments, this book is largely non-fiction beach trash. Wendy wastes most of her time in bed instead of our experiencing the rich cultures these countries offer.
5 Avoiding Prison..." was a wonderful reading adventure!
I was just riveted by this account of Wendy Dale's physical and emotional travels through some of the most dangerous countries in the world! Wendy's wonderful humor in the book takes the reader effortlessly through the difficult challenges she faced during her travels. Wendy's writings illustrated not just the risks involved with travels but the emotional danger we all experience when we fall in love.
I found the book accessible, funny and tremendously well written. This book is a very well-crafted adventure with enough comedy to keep the reader smiling through to the end. I had to just keep reading until the end in just two sittings and still wanting more.
I cannot wait for Wendy Dale's next book!
6 fascinating yet a little self-indulgant
First off, I would just like to say that I couldn't put this book down. Wendy Dale has a way with words and humor that compel you to read on to the next page. She accounts her adventures in such a way that you'll be itching to read just one more page, even though you know you needed to clock into work five minutes ago.
Anyway, Dale's travel memoir accounts for her years travelling through, as she describes them, "some of the world's most dangerous places" - including Columbia, Cuba, and Lebanon. She stumbles upon her destinations almost accidentally (she visits Honduras because of her parents' midlife crises) and manages to get herself into some sticky situations - including picking up men in Central American countries who have a tendancy to land themselves in third world prisons.
However, as charming as her voice is, she can seem a bit naive at times, and at her worst, she blames others for her problems. Prime example - she includes a table of how the most traumatic events in her life can be accredited to her mother.
Still, it is a good read. Myself, I caught myself reading it behind the counter at work during five minute intervals when customers weren't in. I wish I could give this book 3 1/2 stars, but I'll settle for 3.
7 Average Travelogue, Above-average Self-Indulgency
Over the last few months I've become addicted to travel writing, as my weekly bookstore bill will attest. I've read some very good books, some very bad books, and some that never quite make it past mediocrity. Unfortunately, Wendy Dale's book is one of the latter.
I wanted to like this book. It has the unique voice of a young, single, female traveler, supposedly-funny writing, exciting adventures full of romance -- what's not to like? Unfortunately, the sum of the parts never quite makes for a satisfying whole, and I think can sum up my two reasons for this.
The first is that her travel story is very self-indulgent. In my opinion, a good travelogue details not just what the process of travel does to the writer as she goes through various countries, but also how the writer relates to the native inhabitants therein. Ms. Dale's travelogue is about her; the fact that she is in another country seems only tangentially related at times.
Secondly, I don't feel the humor is as well-developed as it could be. I was reminded of the attempts at humor writing I read in the local university newspaper. Douglas Adams, she ain't.
On the plus side, I think Ms. Dale shows great promise for a first-time writer. I'll give her time to hone her comedy skills and grow a little more as a writer and I'll buy her next book. But in the meanwhile I can think of a dozen other travel books I would recommend over this one.
8 an ok read
The book starts off great, but half way through you realize that her experiences are mostly due to her parents quirks and not her own. If it wasn't such a short book I wouldn't have bothered to finish it. If you are looking for an interesting woman's travel tale this is not it.
9 A Very Fun Read
This was a wonderful, fun and adventurous book, I didn't want it to end. You feel like you're traveling without even leaving home.
10 I could not stop laughing
This book is so funny at times that I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. My boyfriend finally had to tell me nicely that I didn't have to quote him every funny passage as I read it. For anyone who has been to Latin America, it brings back memories -- of long lines, broken-down buses, a bureaucracy that is scientifically inefficient. Wendy Dale is a fantastic writer. It's a great book to read if you love to travel or would like to explore the world in the future. It also makes you remember how nice it is to have basic freedoms such as the "innocent until proven guilty" clause of our law.
11 WAY FUN STUFF!!
I would love to be the kind of adventurer Wendy Dale is. She gets into some amazing pickles in this book. I laughed out loud, I shook my head in amazement. As I was reading I found myself longing for the kind of life that would fit into a couple of boxes and a backpack. Unfortunataley, I have too many books...
12 A good laugh
I was standing in a local store looking for a good, funny book and with a title like this, I couldn't help but pick it up. Two pages in, I knew that I had to buy it then and there. I laughed my way through the book in a day, and can't wait for her next one.
13 What a fantastic, engaging book that almost anyone can enjoy
I saw this book in my local travel store and picked it up as soon as I got on to amazon.com. Wendy Dale is a fantastic writer with a true gift for involving the reader as her travel partner throughout all of her fantastic exploits. You come away feeling like you lived vicariously through her and came out far less scathed. An absolutely great book!
14 So there I was standing in B&N laughing like an Idiot!
Product Placement and a catchy title really are important. I, who have zero interest in Travel, happened by this section in my quest to find the "Horror" section, which by the way, does not exist at my local B&N. And this book, nicely displayed on the aisle, caught my eye. I picked it up, and as I usually will do, read the first page of a book to see if I would want to read further. After about 15 pages, and getting weird looks from other customers for standing there like an idiot failing to stifle my laughing out loud like an idiot, I decided it would be easier reading it at home so I HAD to buy this book. Even a person who has no interest in travelling will find this book hysterical.
15 A Must Read for almost anybody
A Must Read for somebody who needs to find a better meaning in their life (lives). A Must Read for somebody who just needs a good laugh. A Must Read for serious people who only think one path and one path only. A Must Read for somebody who thinks they know everything and have experienced everything. A Must Read for somebody experiencing a broken heart. A Must Read for people who have it all and are so rich they can buy just about anything. In my opinion, it's a must read for anybody because the book is so well-rounded and so well thought out it covers a universal meaning and in the end, you realize the choices you make in life shape you as a person to become a better person for the next phase and challenges you will be facing. Wendy Dale will touch all of your senses! (At least it did for me anyway)
16 Burried Treasure
I had some trouble with over-dramatization in this book (the plot is good enough that Dale doesn't need to remind us), but the author's cruel fate and strong character slowly warmed me to her. The appeal of this book is the story of a woman whose love pushes her to work desperately hard for lovers and even friends who deceive or reject her in the end; the reader only needs to get past the narrator's defenses to connect with the seemingly universal theme. At the end of the book, one is left with the realization that Wendy Dale, like so many of us, is simply too intelligent, conscientious, and talented to find happiness with the average idiot, at home or abroad.
17 Highly recommend this book
I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the adventures this 20-something. This book makes you feel as if you are right beside Wendy, getting in and out of trouble in every new country she visits. Pick up a copy of this book and fasten your seatbelt!
18 Mediocre at best
I read this book while vacationing at the Outer Banks. It is an easy read and does have some humerous moments. However, as a person from Latin America I found some of her commentaries offensive. She constantly refers to countries as being "Third World" countries and is very condescending about Latin American culture. I had a very hard time liking the author as she describes her adventures. I would not recommend this book to others.
19 At last, someone who travels properly
It is revealing that the only bad reviews so far to appear on this site are from people who have taken advantage of the writer's honesty to assassinate her character. The one that reckons she needs therapy clearly knows nothing about California where 'she is in need of therapy' is a compliment, particularly if she is a renowned writer, as Dale will surely become if there is any justice in the world. I judge how funny a book is by how many belly-laughs it produces. The most any other travel-book has given me is 8 and a half (Bill Bryson's Down Under) while Wendy's produced 14 - AND I stopped counting at page 244. But it is much, much more than funny. It is the voice of someone who has gone off the beaten track and dared to be different, and this is the crucial bit, without trying to. These are tales of things that simply happen and are told both with endearing whimsy and heartbreaking honesty. Please buy this book and then count (on your fingers if necessary) how many lives you have.
20 Love and Danger indeed...
I read this book when I'd knocked flat by a horrible flu. Wendy's vivid detail of the equatorial weather, cuisine and nightlife are what cured me, I'm convinced. "Adventures in Love and Danger" couldn't be titled any more appropriately.... conjugal visits in third world prisons, black market shopping and a willingness to chuck everything safe and dive headlong into the circumstances that make a story worth telling... this book doesn't leave anything out. It's full of the stories that most people wish they could tell about their boring year abroad. A fantastic read.
21 Powerful, Poetic, a Real Gem
This is one of the best adventure books I have read in a long time. For those people who enjoy traveling, taking risks, seeking adventure, and willing to "think outside the box" this is the perfect book for you. Not only does this book offer the readers a sense of adventure and humor, but also valuable insights into family life, relationships, politics, and what is really inportant in life.
22 Seize the Day!
Wendy brings laughter and romance back into travel writing. Learn to bend the rules as you go with her to places no Americans are permitted to go. This book is for anyone who wonders if they're wasting their life inside an office cubicle, or for anyone troubled by crowded beaches and graffiti-worn tourist traps. Wendy strides headlong into foreign lands, ready to learn what it means to be a citizen of the world. Is she asking for trouble? Perhaps, but this coming-of-age account of a very brave young woman shows there's far more to life than worry over lost luggage.
23 "Avoiding Prison, Adventures in Romance & Danger"
I just finished reading this book and it was as much fun as a mini-vacation without having to endure airports/packing/customs. Her family, friends, and love interests are an amusing cast of characters, and the unusual places she visits give the book an exotic flavor of adventure, reminiscent of "Romancing the Stone." I especially enjoyed her South American escapades. Her descriptive writing gives a strong feeling of being there, and is delightfully witty and entertaining. Overall a fun summer read, but there are parts that draw you in poignantly to her problematic and romantic encounters. Highly recommended to anyone for an enjoyable travel/romance/zany read.
24 Enjoyed this book!
I completely enjoyed this book. Wendy is a person I liked, her family is very very funny, and her adventures are interesting and entertaining. She's got a witty eye, and a thoughtful style; there were parts that suddenly affected me strongly and other parts where I laughed out loud. I can't wait for her to write another book!
25 hmm....
overall i would have to say that this book has A FEW parts worth reading, but a more appropriate title would be "making stupid decisions in foreign countries". and the stories she told are too much to be true... i find it highly unlikely that francisco was just completely innocent... and she always manages to get taken advantage of by various people in her life. i do pity her for being born in such a crazy family, and the only reason i would encourage you to buy this book is to help wendy to A) somewhat pay off her maxed credit cards and B) have enough money for plenty of therapy.
26 Stupid Travel Tips
The book is hardly about travel but more accurately about Wendy's dysfunctional life. While reading the book, all I could really feel was pity--not a sense of adventure. I only hope this was fiction and not a true rendition of Wendy's foreign travels.
27 Great Book
Wendy's book is great! It was fun to read about her hilarious adventures. Highly recommended.
28 She's the best travel writer today!
Move over, Paul Theroux. Wendy Dale has now taken the stage with a travel book that redefines travel writing in a way no one else can! Witty, charming, funny, comic, insightful, biting, ironic,sarcastic, philosophical ... this is a travel writer worth waiting for. If you read one good book this summer, read this one. And for expats around the world, dig in!
29 from my dysfunctional life to yours
Wendy's writing is funny and poignant. Now that I've read the book the title makes perfect sense. Avoiding prison indeed! Thanks for writing such a fun and thought provoking book Wendy!
30 A must read romp
Searching for a new author with a clever, fresh voice, I picked up Wendy Dale's _Avoiding Prison..._. This book is absolutely HILLARIOUS, as well as witty and thought-provoking. The book kept me engrossed throughout, and I found myself turning every page to see where this crazy young woman would end up next...
