One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set.
The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". The book is redeemed somewhat by the sincerity of the authors, who are truly likable guys, even if their shtick has gotten a little old.Īn amusing, well-intentioned adventure story that forgot to add the adventure.Īn extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through.
Even their visits to AIDS clinics and UNICEF facilities feel like sterile public-service announcements. Libyan sandstorms and herds of indifferent elephants present some minor dangers, but the authors seem satisfied with simply describing the local scenery. The format is familiar: two dudes on cycles overcoming the usual vehicular emergencies and chatting up the locals. Their preparations suggest hair-raising adventures to come, but what we get when they finally hit the road is more akin to a prosaic vacation. Regrettably, this proves to be the most exciting section of the book. The authors prepare for the trip in the United Kingdom by learning survival tactics: how to sweet-talk hostile army officers carrying AK-47s, etc. They get the travel bug again here, but decide this time to point their headlights toward the often-discussed but seldom-experienced continent of Africa. Two best friends set out on a road trip across Africa.īritish actors and bosom buddies McGregor and Boorman produced a surprise hit in 2004 with the fun-loving travelogue Long Way Round (2004), which chronicled the duo’s adventures as they cruised around the globe on their motorcycles, making friends and delivering wisecracks along the way.
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