You know when you read a book and think, I wish I’d written that? This is such a book. Damn you, Ben Hatch.
Ben and his wife Dinah accept the formidable task of travelling round Britain in a battered Vauxhall Astra to write a family guide book. They take off for five months with their two young children and pack in nearly as many family-friendly attractions as Dinah tries to secrete extra pairs of shoes in their luggage. They discover there are only so many ruined abbeys a family can ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at and that hotels can be judged on the quality of their complimentary biscuits and whether or not you can get CBeebies on the TV.
The 8,000 mile adventure, seeking out a poo museum in Leicester (a big hit with the children, naturally) and a pencil museum in the Lake District (including possibly not the world’s largest pencil) is punctuated by family squabbles, toddler tantrums and the odd spot of danger. However, as the trip unfortunately coincides with the failing health of the author’s father, it becomes a voyage of self discovery as Ben Hatch reminisces about his own childhood and tries to make sense of the relationship he has had with his dad.
Most parents will read the book, laugh frequently and nod sagely, empathising with the joys and frustrations of travelling with kids. They should also jot down some of the fascinating places to visit. I, for one, am going to add Liverpool to my list, not least for the discovery that people in authority there have a healthy attitude towards ignoring petty rules.
Ben Hatch is a very talented writer; he has a natural gift for humour, dialogue and pace so the story rattles along with ease. The pockets of sadness in the narrative are all the more poignant because of the comedy in the rest of the book.
I bought Are We Nearly There Yet? just before Christmas in paperback (Amazon £5.03) but it’s also available in Kindle format at only 99p. Highly recommended.
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And I now have a Kindle so might just search this out for download!
Steve – I have a feeling this is just up your street. Definitely download it.
I'm currently 98% through this on my Kindle. Very good and very laugh out loud at places.
I think I may also have found someone who drinks as much wine as me.
PS they could have been nicer about Nottingham…
Thanks for this! Reminded me that I have this sitting on my Kindle ready to read.
Very Bored – You, Ben Hatch and a few bottles of Cava: now that would be a good evening. Just don't mention the ugly buildings of Nottingham…
Joanne – It's brilliant, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
What child (or adult) would not love the idea of a poo museum?
And who would not pay 99p to find out that such a one exists?! I must pop on over to Amazon.
Sarah – Glad to be of service. Can't believe we took Rory twice to the Space Centre in Leicester to snigger at a dummy astronaut sitting on a toilet and were unaware of even more lavatorial fun nearby.
Many thanks for the recommendation. Sounds like a great addition to my ever-expanding Kindle!
Curry Queen – it's a great read, certainly worth downloading and at that price, it's a steal.
Have just ordered this – thanks for the recommendation 🙂 x
the baby wife – I'm sure you'll love it!