Reader's Feedback
“The Wonders of the Black Sea: Tales of a Grandmother – Volume 2”
After reading this book my first thoughts were what energy and enthusiasm on the part of Audrey. For her to encompass all the sightseeing and socializing in twelve days is an unbelievable accomplishment.
In Audrey’s writing, starting from Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge, we are sucked into a journey surrounding the many wonders, majestic opulence, living history and peoples of countries on the shores of the Black Sea.
Audrey’s accounts are peppered with countless interesting stories including those relating to the poet Pushkin, the Ukrainian Tolstoy family, Beautiful Odessa, Tsar Nicholas ll, Sevastopol and the Crimean War, Stalin’s Green Dacha, Chekhov’s White House, Liszt’s Piano and even Dracula.
The Black Sea, I found out, is a place also steeped in history with each country having its own version of myths and legend.
The large number of photographs accompanying Audrey’s journey are equally enlightening and bring to life the richness of the interiors of the buildings and places visited as well as the wonderful architecture described in the text.
Together with the excellent maps, which helped to lead me every step of the way, I really felt I was on the journey too. A wonderful experience.
This book really is a must for anyone visiting or interested in the Black Sea area.
Janette Smith
“The Wonders of Nepal: Tales of a Grandmother – Volume 1”
“A fascinating journey with wonderful photographs, humour and personal comments”
A wonderful book to appeal to all ages, whether you are planning to travel to Nepal or like to visit from your armchair.
In the first volume of Audrey Forsyth’s Tales of a Grandmother travel series We are able to take a unique tour of the Himalayan country of Nepal.
From the comfort of your armchair you can experience the ancient temples, the cities of Pokhara, and Kathmandu, the magnificent mountains and steamy jungle of the country at the top of the world.
Like a female Michael Palin Audrey covers it all and gives a human insight into everything that she observes in a way that is absorbing, stimulating and enjoyable whilst also making the reader feel a partner in that journey.
She shares and brings to life or travel experiences and love of history, culture, language, geography, music and people of the little known but beautiful land.
Her visit in 1998 allows us to learn of many of its listed ancient temples and buildings before a substantial number of these were destroyed in the devastating earthquake which hit Nepal in 2015.
For this alone her book gives a unique insight.
Janette Smith
Jay Mac
“The Wonders of Nepal: Tales of a Grandmother – Volume 1”
A Personal Divertimento on Nepal
A very enjoyable description of a fascinating journey. The writing flows easily especially with the humor and personal comments.
The photos are superb (the Himalayas!) but also very helpful guides to the narrative. I liked the pages of smaller photos and assorted memorabilia to give further sense of place. Maps of the area are very useful but I paid little attention to town/city maps. That’s just me – David can’t move without a map. I have to learn ‘plan de la ville’ in every language.
I loved the cover though I don’t think its origin is told in this book. The format did not work so well for me as I was reading on Kindle. Book form would be much better as I would be making frequent references to the history, language, deities sections. There is a lot of quite complicated background information which I preferred to read more closely after I had read the travels. This material was not helped by the difficult long names of people and places.
I am biased as reading this I was with Audrey again. Her voice is strong in the narrative but even if I had not known her I think this sounds like someone I would like, trust and want to ‘travel’ with. I would certainly want to read more of her works.
The book would appeal to U3A members of all ages. Also to anyone of any age who wanted, or was about to travel to Nepal and to those who just like to visit from their armchair. Audrey was a female version of Michael Palin whose programmes I have recently watched. She engaged with everyone she met – locals, guides, children – and made an effort to do this. Her deep interest and knowledge of the area, its history and people would endear her to the reader.
“The Wonders of the Black Sea: Tales of a Grandmother – Volume 2”
A Trip around the Black Sea
I found much to whet a wish to visit this region which means it is a good travel book.
There are marvellous descriptions and pictures e.g. Sumela Monastery, Stalin’s dacha and the Vorontsov palace.
Much history is included mostly well linked to the places being visited. There was for me too much detail at times on rooms and the contents of palaces or the origins of the Crimean war. I did like the parts on the effects of the war for example on nursing and serfdom or the interesting discoveries such as Liszt’s piano. I think the grandchildren would Google when they want more details apart from those who take after Audrey who reported, on missing a lecture, “our heads (were) packed with information — I loved every minute”.
The photos are excellent including the pages of small photos or mixed memorabilia and help to recreate the feeling for the place.
Audrey’s knowledge of Russia and its language also helped the atmosphere e.g. seeing Chekov’s name on a plate on his door.
I love the front cover and now know its history. On my Kindle the writing occupies about 60% of the page with an empty block on the right. I am not sure why and kept wondering if there should be a picture there but every page was the same.
This book would also appeal to the armchair traveller or to anyone contemplating a Visit to the Black Sea.
It might well guide them in a route they would take to visit places described with such clarity.
Audrey’s warm personality, intelligence and humour permeate the descriptions and give them veracity. This would make someone want to follow in her footsteps. It would certainly tempt me towards any other books in the series.
It is a fascinating picture of this pivotal area touched in history, and still today, by so many people and events.
Rosemary Combe
“The Wonders of Nepal: Tales of a Grandmother – Volume 1”
I love travelling and have been so frustrated with covid lockdowns.
I was tempted and intrigued by this book – The Wonders Of Nepal – and curious to read of a country that I knew very little about but wanted to know more. The author was new to me.
So very glad I did purchase it because this book is a truly remarkable travel book being unique in so many different ways.
Firstly I was intrigued by the the reference to tales of a grandmother but after reading the very moving preface and introduction I really felt I wanted to know so much more about this incredible lady and her travels.
Her book or perhaps I should say collection of daily tales is a very full account of the country of Nepal taking in the history, geography and lifestyle of this remarkable people.
Her tales recount very knowledgeable and visual visits to the the many UNESCO world heritage sites around Kathmandu; the experience of flying as close to Everest as can normally be achieved; the Tibetan communities around Pokhara; the steamy jungle area of the Chitwan National Park and so much more.
Even after reading and so enjoying this book it is one of these few books that I will continually dip into, I’m sure, from time to time in the future.
Audrey Forsyth’s gentle but knowledgeable descriptions and experiences are also intimately enjoyed by the reader in a writing style that warmly includes the reader as a close traveling companion on these journeys. I can only assume this empathy comes naturally from her teaching background.
The large numbers of photographs that accompany her descriptions and the many maps included help to understand the physical elements of Nepal and also both add to the enjoyment of this really wonderful book.
I found it so sad that the author put in so much hard work in this for her grandchildren and for the reader but did not live long enough to see her work in print.
All in all a great book; and an unusual and rare find and I believe it to be of interest to all travel aficionados whether active or armchair.
Apologies for the length of this review but, to be frank, the book justifies all that I have said. I thoroughly recommend it. I hope to read further books in this series.
I would say it is also a very useful general guide for anyone to take with them if visiting Nepal.
Line Magazine has lauded Tales of Grandmother's writing as a breath of fresh air in the literary world. Her ability to interweave biographical and historical information seamlessly has been recognized as a significant contribution to the genre. The publication has commended her for creating an enriching reading experience for audiences.
Acclaim from Peers
Respected author, James Belle, has acknowledged Tales of Grandmother's talent for crafting compelling narratives. He commends her for bringing lesser-known destinations to the forefront through her writing, offering readers a chance to explore the beauty and history of these places. His praise for her work reflects the impact it has had on fellow authors.
Critics' Choice
The Boston Independent Review of Books has hailed Tales of Grandmother as an author who brings a fresh perspective to travel literature. The publication recognizes her ability to transport readers to distant lands while seamlessly integrating biographical and historical elements. Her writing has been celebrated for its ability to resonate with diverse audiences.
Celebrating Literary Voices