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Peking to Paris by Dina Bennett

Peking to Paris

Life and Love on a Short Drive Around Half the World

by Dina Bennett

  • Critics' Consensus (3):
  • Readers' Rating (19):
  • Published:
  • May 2013, 276 pages
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There are currently 19 reader reviews for Peking to Paris
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Evonne L. (Lakeport, CA)

Peking to Paris
My expectations were a bit too high; the descriptive title and lovely cover had me intrigued by the subject and excited to learn more about the journey and how it influenced the author's relationship with her husband. A few chapters into the narrative I found myself a bit annoyed with the continual descriptions of the author's personal character flaws; I already "got it" and did not need the constant reminders of the more challenging aspects of her personality and how they related to the journey ahead. Generally I can read a book of this size within a day or two of my busy schedule but it did not maintain mymore
Linda P. (Medford, WI)

Car Rally Delight
This was a quick read which took me on an adventure I was totally unfamiliar with. The thought of traveling 7,901 miles in
a 1940 La Salle from China to France recreating a rally race from 100 years ago is mind-boggling. I enjoyed the novelty of the rally itself, the constant mechanical issues, & the interaction of the racers. The luxury of being able to do something of this nature is way beyond me, but many thanks for letting me come along vicariously through your book.
Carol J. (Isle, MN)

The starts and stops of travel
I found Peking to Paris to be very unevenly written. As I thought about the writing of this review I did wonder if Dina Bennett writing in the book was a metaphor for her trip; lots of starts and stops, very uneven. It was almost as if she couldn't quite decide on the focus for the book; her relationship, the car, the rally...I would agree with other reviewers in that I anticipated more of a travelogue or a detailed account of the rally. Again, seemed like she couldn't quite decide on the focus.
Nona F. (Evanston, IL)

Charming writing but lightweight travel narrative
As someone who found herself driving the wrong direction against 3 lanes of traffic in Italy, and who almost tossed the rented GPS unit out the window in France after it tried to lead us onto another boring backroad, I can only admire Dina Bennett's decision to act as her husband's navigator on the 2007 commemorative Peking to Paris rally in a vintage 1940 LaSalle Coupe, particularly as she claims to have no sense of direction and gets carsick reading a map in a moving car. This is not the bohemian rebellion of Jack Kerouac on the road or John Steinbeck's philosophical musings with Charley; it's a somewhatmore
Marion T. (Palatine, IL)

Peking to Paris
Unfortunately I was a little disappointed in the writing of this book. I was looking forward to living through the author a trip I would never take to places that I would never see. However she spent more time about the repairs of the car then the places she was traveling through. In spite of the short time that was spent in these places and the long hours in the car, a little description of the places, people, or even stories of the people on the rally would have added to much. Also, where are the pictures? Not even one of the wonderful Roxanne? What were you thinking?

Editor's Note: The copies of Peking tomore
Power Reviewer
Joan (Miller Place, NY)

Bumpy ride ahead
From the description I really expected to love this book and thought it would deserve a five; sadly I can only give it a three. The author says a trip should not be "All about the driving and not about the journey." Unfortunately this book was the reverse, she wrote mostly about the car breaking down and not enough about the countries they drove through. The last leg of the journey felt very rushed. She concentrated more on the hardships than the joys. The first part of the book contains a lot of details about readying the car for the rally; it became boring and too technical. The best parts were themore
Power Reviewer
Doris K. (Angora, MN)

Peking to Paris
I found this book slow going. The author was honest about her feelings but it seemed as though she had mostly negative thoughts.
Too much time was spent on describing car repair and upkeep.
I had expected more details about the countries through which they traveled.
Her descriptions of fellow P2P participants were shallow. I did not enjoy reading this book.
Power Reviewer
Lani S. (Narberth, PA)

witty travelogue
In this amusing book, the author recounts her trip with her fearless husband in a 1940 Cadillac La Salle (alias Roxanne) for an antique automobile race from Beijing to Paris. Never having driven distances without car sickness, this intrepid traveler outlines the various stumbling blocks along the way, and exposes her emotional self with raw honesty. The novel brings to light this special universe and highlights the difficult interplays between other drivers and the environment. This witty novel is perfect for those who love a sense of adventure and exploring different habitats and customs.
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