Why people recommend it
Into the Heart of Borneo is an adventurous and darkly humorous travel book by Redmond O'Hanlon that chronicles a grueling and eccentric expedition through the remote jungles of Southeast Asia. On The Book Review podcast episode titled The Second Annual Listeners Questions Episode, John Williams recommended the book during a discussion about travel writing. Williams placed the work within a specific tradition of travel literature, acknowledging that its provocative and politically incorrect tone means it likely would not find a publisher in the modern literary climate. Despite these antiquated sensibilities, Williams expressed a genuine fondness for the author's works, specifically naming Into the Heart of Borneo alongside Trouble Again as titles he truly loved. He praised the books for being genuinely funny and entertaining, highlighting O'Hanlon's self-deprecating humor and sharp observations amidst harsh environmental conditions. Through this recommendation, the podcast celebrated a classic style of adventure writing that prioritizes chaotic human folly and vivid landscape descriptions over conventional politeness, appealing to readers who appreciate irreverent and fearless outdoor literature.
Who recommended it
- John Williams Recommended
John Williams — 1 mention
“also in the Paul through school of completely offensive and obnoxious and would never be published today and yet I think Redmond oh hanan's books are really funny in trouble again and Into the Heart of Borneo I really loved”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“the sort of Redman ohanlan Into the Heart of Borneo like here I am in the jungle love him too”