BOOK REVIEWS
The Japanese Speaking
Curtain Maker
Spencer James Conway
2019
ISBN 978-0-9956290-3-5
R
The Japanese Speaking Curtain Maker? What the hell does
this title have to do with riding a motorcycle around Africa and
becoming the first person to do so?
Strange title, you could argue that Spencer Conway is a
strange bloke. In his unique way Spencer tells a tale of becom-
ing the first person to circumnavigate Africa by motorcycle.
With wit and good humour Spencer rides the outer rim of the
African continent exploring, the many and varied peoples, cul-
tures and environments while also discovering a lot more about
himself and other travellers than many would care to admit.
The Japanese Speaking Curtain Maker at times will have
you laughing out loud, cheering in support and perhaps even
shedding a tear or two. Spencer is a masterful storyteller who
knows how to keep a reader engaged from start to finish de-
spite the at times appalling bad jokes and puns (no, we didn’t
really say that Spencer).
Chance meetings with local leads to some lovely moments
and demonstrate that no matter what you hear about a country
or region you yourself must decide; exploration is the best way
to discover. Spencer does so and we the reader are much richer
for the experience.
Shot at by bandits in Kenya, partying with Nigerian celebrity
and even a beer stash hidden in the forest, Spencer takes us on
a fast-paced adventure yet slows down enough to experience
the real Africa and its people.
The Japanese Speaking Curtain Maker is a book in two parts.
The first, the ride down through the east to the south west. The
second, the north west. It’s the second that feels a little rushed,
perhaps as subconsciously Spencer
feels that this area has drained him
enough to want out yet as Spencer
returns to the UK, he realises that
‘normal’ isn’t for him.
In The Japanese Speaking Curtain
Maker Spencer has crafted what is
perhaps the outstanding travel biog-
raphy of 2019, it’s well worth a read
… and we wonder, did they ever find
a Japanese Speaking Curtain maker?
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TRAVERSE 104
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