Chasing Shadows (Long Way Round - Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman)

Member Name: MI9to5

Product:	Long Way Round - Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman
Date:	12/07/09 (70 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very well written

Disadvantages: I didn't find any but some find the boys too whiny

Long Way Round - Chasing Shadows Across the World by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman is the companion book to the TV series of the same name, which saw Charley and Ewan journey 20,000 miles in increasingly tough terrain from London to New York, crossing the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia along the way.

I absolutely adored both the Long Way Round and the Long Way Down when they were on the television and after reading the Long Way Down earlier this year I decided that it was high time I read this one. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed every single page of this book and the true spirit of the boys that travelled it and the journey itself really shines through.

The book's blurb in my opinion really epitomises the whole journey and therefore the book. It explains how what started as a daydream became true and how two friends could against the odds realise their dream.

"It started as a daydream. Poring over a map of the world at home one quiet Saturday afternoon, Ewan McGregor - actor and self confessed bike nut - noticed that it was possible to ride all the way round the world. So he picked up the phone and called Charley Boorman, his best friend, fellow actor and bike enthusiast, 'Charley,' he said. 'I think you ought to come over for dinner.'"

Like I have just said I think that this one paragraph alone really highlights what the whole journey was all about. The aim was simple to travel around the world as un-noticed as physically possible in an attempt to take in the countries they passed in the most natural light available to them.

The book itself is written as a day-by-day account of events that help and hinder the journey that they undertake. The book isn't however written in diary form like you might expect and to be honest I'm glad it isn't because I just don't think it would have suited it. The book actually flows like a complete set of prose yet is broken up into sizeable chapters, which are again broken down into different sections written by Charley and Ewan alternatively. This switching between authors means that you get both perspectives on what is happening, what is to be seen and both points of view in the many of the decisions, discussions, debates and arguments.

As well as the account of the journey itself the book also includes 30 pages of full colour pictures, which really bring the whole journey to life and allow the reader to witness some of the things that faced the travellers. Each of these pictures is accompanied by a caption containing information about the content. Some of these captions are humorous and others a little emotional yet it is this that gives the book a solid heart and a firm grounding in the reality of the trip itself.

Having seen the TV series I was well aware of how the trip was going to pan out and therefore under no illusion of what the ending would be. I did however find that I learnt much more about the people involved and the journey undertaken by reading the book, as the TV show doesn't show everything and the book itself contains a lot more humorous and heartfelt moments. Furthermore the book delves deeper into the sites that it was possible to see and digs deep into the feelings and emotions of the two intrepid bikers.

These feelings I am pleased to say aren't put forward ina macho, I won't be knocked down, sort of way but in a real honest and heartfelt way that really lets the reader feel part of the journey. The two boys express their emotions in a way unique to them and come across exceptionally well. Yes there are times when they don't agree or when we as a reader may not agree with them but the book does let you see the true them and that openness and honesty lets us see that both Ewan and Charley are simply themselves: true family men with a great sense of duty to what they see around them. This on its own is very refreshing to read.

On top of this emotion is a mass of humour as you get to see the funny and loveable sides to their characters. The natural relationship between the boys is apparent from the start of the book as they describe each other and the events that befall them with a real natural ease. This humour is in many ways what ties the whole journey together as it is the light hearted feelings that transcends the book and therefore the travel, as not matter how bad things get they always seem to be able to se the funny side eventually.

A lot of this humour is directed towards each other but some also at the other members of the crew, as it must be remembered that the pair didn't do this entirely alone. Back in London was a massive team behind them preparing visas and other paperwork and travelling with them was a dedicated support crew. Claudio travelled alongside them filming their journey whilst Russ, David and second cameraman Jimmy travelled within recovery distance meeting up with them at various points to replenish supplies and cross borders. It is the relationships between the entire team as a whole that really touched me though as by the end of the book you come to realise how close the team have really become and I don't think that that is particularly apparent when watching the programme.

I must say that I really did thoroughly enjoy reading this book as it made me appreciate what a real accomplishment their journey was. It also gave me a lot of respect for all those involved, as the journey was never simply about them showing off but about what they could learn and how they could help. Their enthusiasm for the countries they visited and their willingness to get involved was really infectious to read and made a thoroughly refreshing change.

Summary: A real plesant read about a once in a lifetime adventure