nonfiction; travel memoir (1997 Russia).
Sometimes droll but mostly dull; the journey from one end of the continent to the other somehow progresses without going anywhere--lacks narrative and character. ( )

Not brilliantly written, but an interesting story about probably the first person to drive a camper van across Russia ( )

Thom Wheeler and Jo set off in a VW bay window called Max to Estonia. There they hear about the possibility of work in Vladivostok and set off across Russia.
Thom's account is honest and interesting. His honest approach means that we are told when his relationship with Jo is tested and when they are naive in their dealings with Russians. This naivety and sense of adventure gets them through and they enjoy the kindness of strangers many times. The book doesn't give lots of details about shopping, banking or driving in Russia. He tells us when the roads run out and they have to take the train and when they can't access any currency. We hear about the problems getting a visa and crossing the border and the constant checking of papers. The narrative is interspersed with facts about a place. I couldn't help but admire their spirit, travelling across Russia in 1997 and the beauty of the landscape in many places came through the words. The book also manages to give some sense of the vastness of Russia and the spirit of the people. ( )