3 out of 4 stars
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Every now and then you come across a book that is hard to define within the bounds of the traditional literary genres. Therefore, instead of attempting to categorize this with books, I’ll delve into other popular culture. Simon A. Gallimore’s novel, Here, there and back, immediately makes me think of a ridiculous British television sitcom, mixed with the movie “Eurotrip”, and sprinkled with the covert agency goodness that is “Spies Like Us”. The humor throughout the book is at the same time slapstick, cheeky, and representative of a gang of guy friends. Despite the light-hearted nature of the book, it is actually chalked full of intrigue and action. Our protagonists are perpetually on the run, getting themselves into trouble, and dodging danger. Finally, in order to add a cherry to the proverbial sundae, the book involves clashes between no less than three different nations’ clandestine agencies.
Here, there and back follows four British friends that, to break up the monotony of their daily grind, decide to take a relaxing trip to Amsterdam. As you can likely imagine, their trip to Amsterdam ends up being anything but relaxing. Just like screaming at the ignorant character in a horror movie to not go into the abandoned building, you find yourself slapping your forehead when one of our protagonists innocently accepts to bring a seemingly insignificant item across the border to Amsterdam for a stranger. A classic tale of being “at the wrong place at the wrong time”, their trip is derailed as multiple nations and gun-toting clandestine agents try to recover this smuggled item. Deception, romance, action, drinking, football hooligans, practical jokes, and more can all be found between the pages of Gallimore’s work.
I love a good, light-hearted book and the humor within this tome was by far what I liked the most. I enjoyed how, despite the ridiculous and unrealistic situations in which the group found themselves, their interactions amongst each other were frank and real. Gallimore captures well the relationships between good friends and how, regardless of everything going on around them, there is always time to pull a prank on your pals. I also loved how this book was able to mix the comedic aspects of the novel with plenty of action. Despite being in increasingly dangerous situations, Gallimore is able to put our gang into a myriad of uncomfortable and entertaining circumstances. Finally, Here, there and back had a plot that kept twisting and turning throughout. Gallimore has the reader trying to figure out who all of the players are, who they are actually working for, and who is going to deceive who next.
There were, however, a few things that I have to count against the novel. Before all else, the writing style of the author may not be for everyone. Although a master of the language, Gallimore has a habit of writing verbose, flowery language which accentuates this mastery. Though pertinent to the humor of the book at times, some readers may find this annoying. Similarly, Gallimore tends to be a bit over descriptive. Long-winded paragraphs which add little to the book itself are sprinkled throughout the work. Next, the author attempts to use appropriate slang throughout his tale. This means using terms that an American, British, Dutch, or French person would actually use. Unfortunately, as this was what I liked the least, sometimes this falls short. For example, the Americans in the book always derogatorily refer to the British characters as “limey bastards”, which is rarely heard between the two nationalities nowadays. As well, Gallimore used the phrase “address the elephant in the room” in such a way that it was assumed that an American wouldn’t understand it, whereas in reality this phrase is used quite often.
Here, there and back was a fun, quick, and action-packed novel that kept me both laughing and on my toes. For this reason, I give the book 3 out of 4 stars. I almost gave it only 2 stars as the book really wasn’t a masterpiece by any means. I ultimately concluded that the publication did, in fact, merit the third star as it kept me amused and engaged throughout. For the language used and the errors in slang alone, the book deserved losing at least one star. If you are a fan of British comedies and like your books both ridiculous and action-packed, I thoroughly believe you will enjoy this novel. If you are not a fan of comedies, get frustrated with the consistent use of British slang, or absolutely need to have your literature contain a deep and meaningful plot, this one unquestionably won’t be for you.
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Here, there and back
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