The Sex Lives of Cannibals, by J. Maarten Troost
At 26, J. Maarten Troost was staring down the barrel of adulthood when a wild idea struck him. Why not ditch the looming responsibilities and escape to a tropical paradise? In The Sex Lives of Cannibals, Troost recounts how he convinced his fearless girlfriend Sylvia to join him on a two-year adventure to Tarawa, a tiny atoll in the Pacific nation of Kiribati.
Troost and Sylvia were chasing their dreams of an island utopia. Instead, they found themselves dropped into a world that was equal parts fascinating and frustrating. The reality of Tarawa hit them like a wave of warm, polluted ocean water.
Instead of swaying palms and pristine beaches, Troost stumbled into a land of relentless heat, armies of insects, and oceans that looked more like dumpsters. And let's not forget the planes seemingly held together by duct tape and hope. Troost's days became a bizarre routine of dodging wild dogs, learning to love (or at least tolerate) fish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and wondering if "island time" actually meant "maybe next month." Just when he thought he'd adjusted to island life, he'd find himself bewildered by local customs, like the islanders' fascination with an ancient, crackling videotape of "Dallas."
While Sylvia busied herself with actual work, Troost perfected the art of not going stir-crazy. His adventures range from the hilarious to the heartwarming as he slowly falls for this weird, wonderful place and its people.
The Sex Lives of Cannibals isn't your typical travel memoir. It's a laugh-out-loud journey that'll make you a little more appreciative of your boring 9-to-5 job, or maybe inspire you to book a one-way ticket to the middle of nowhere.
“The reef positively exuded health and at low tide the odors emanating from the reef shelf held none of that fetid stench of decomposition, rubbish, and shit that so marred everyone’s existence on Tarawa.”
Interesting Facts & Links:
J. Maarten Troost is a Dutch-American travel writer known for his humorous and irreverent accounts of life in various Pacific island nations. He spent several years living in Kiribati and Vanuatu, experiences which formed the basis for much of his early writing career.
Tarawa is an atoll and the capital of Kiribati, a country in the central Pacific Ocean. It consists of a series of islets, with South Tarawa being the most populous and urbanized part, hosting the seat of government and main port facilities. Tarawa was also the site of a significant World War II battle in 1943 between American and Japanese forces.
The book review from The Wandering (Ex) Housewife is excellent - read more here.
This book is one of our recommendations for those who like travel and like to laugh. Click here to see our list of some of the best funny travel books.
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