I wouldn’t say that The Land Beyond was my type of book. I’m a big fan of ridiculous challenges for no obvious point, people pushing themselves beyond endurance and a good old fashioned poo story. I like frivolity and ridiculousness and maybe even a fancy dress costume.
This book is none of these.
Unless you count walking 1,000 miles through possibly the world’s most volatile territories as being a ridiculous challenge.
But for Leon, it never seems to be. He barely moans about the blisters on his feet or the weight of his pack (even when his walking partner, Dave Cornthwaite, adds a kilo of sweets to it).
And though there is an undercurrent of distrust with their neighbours the people he meets are unanimously kind and courteous towards him.
And when there is the perfect opportunity to tell a poo story he is completely blasé about it.
No, I wouldn’t say that this was my usual type of Travel Book at all.
It’s a serious book seriously assessing the impact of the illegal actions of the state of Israel in Palestine and the placid and peaceful people of Jordan and the seemingly eternal wisdom and tradition of the Bedouin tribesmen. It’s definitely serious. There’s even a numbered reference section at the back.
But I loved it. I really did. I don’t know what it was about it. It reminded me of reading textbooks at university. Not the boring ones. The fascinating ones where you feel like you’re actually learning something of significance.
The book delves deeply into the geopolitical and socio-economical ramifications of having a bloody great wall along the West Bank. It explores the juxtaposition of the major Abrahamic faiths living in peace alongside the intense feeling of rage and fear that was palpable across the region. It definitely doesn’t shy away from the difficult topics.
Somehow, however, it managed to keep me enthralled from beginning to end. His almost poetic style of writing drew me in with his descriptions of wadis and mountains and rivers and valleys. His insightful observations of his fellow travellers and the locals he meets along the way makes them stand up from the page like living, breathing flesh.
I guarantee that this book will stand the test of time as a first hand account of the situation in the Middle East.
Intense, educational and mesmerizing.