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Thomas Cook/Daily Telegraph Travel Book Award Finalist.
Foreword Magazine’s Silver Medal for Best U.S. Travel Book.
Island of the Human Heart, the first book by Laurie Gough, begins with her return trip to Taveuni, Fiji, where her poetic narrative starts. In Fiji she falls in love with Laudi, who draws her into his world-gossiping, good-natured aunts who provide food and laughter for the family, and evil Uncle Vix who makes trouble for the traditionally non-confrontational men of the island. As her perceptions slowly change, Laurie realizes Fiji. may not be the paradise she seeks. In the evening by the fire at Buvu Beach Campground, she tells of her travels: visiting the labyrinthine city of Fez in Morocco, which proves to be a consumer's nightmare when carpet salesmen follow centuries-old traditions; riding through most of North America on the back of a motorcycle with Clarence McQuiggle, who would rather "make time" than slow down to admire the splendour of the landscape; teaching English by day and waiting tables in a seedy bar by night in Malaysia, witnessing the dark side of human nature. Her other journeys include Bali, Italy and New Zealand.
Island of the Human Heart is a fresh, lyrical travelogue giving insight into the immediacy and memory of travel--travel to foreign lands and into the human heart.
Turnstone Press Ltd.
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Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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