Reviews

This book is a must-read for anyone who has dreamed of leaving it all behind and hitting the open road for adventure. And misadventures. More Manchester Than Mongolia is full of laughs, adventure, mishaps and dreams. It shows that the road less traveled is not always easy, but well worth the trip.

More Manchester Than Mongolia by Jacqueline Lambert is an adventure memoir that follows the author, her husband Mark, and their four furry companions on a journey through the British countryside. After postponing their Mongolian road trip, they decided to take a test ride in their own backyard, which turned out to be a wise decision. The narrow, winding lanes that were difficult to see on maps, overhanging tree branches, and the occasional encounter with farm animals were just the beginning of their challenges. Jacqueline and Mark quickly discovered that their 30-year-old army truck, affectionately nicknamed The Beast, required significant maintenance. They faced obstacles such as electrical issues, plumbing problems, and tire changes. Despite these difficulties, they immersed themselves in British culture, exploring historical sites, local legends, and regional cuisines. Along the way, they met a variety of quirky characters and learned about the importance of freedom, as well as the true meaning of home and family. More Manchester Than Mongolia is an enjoyable read that beautifully captures the unique landscape and spirit of rural Britain. Jacqueline Lambert’s narrative is both humorous and heartfelt, showing her bright and curious personality along with her positive outlook on life. She draws readers in with her vivid storytelling, making them feel as if they are experiencing every moment alongside her. One memorable encounter was with Ian, a fellow nomad sporting a Yorkshire accent, which provided plenty of comedic moments. The story also contains humbling experiences related to family responsibilities and medical scares, highlighting the fragility of life and reminding them of the reasons they chose to embrace adventure. Readers will gain vital insights about seizing opportunities to explore and the importance of not being confined by fear or routine, inspiring them to live fully and cherish every moment. This is an outstanding read and a must-have for anyone who enjoys adventure stories, family journeys, and humorous travel memoirs.

The expression “there’s nowt as queer as folk” is a popular northern saying that roughly translates in the King’s English as “there is nothing (NOWT) quite as strange (QUEER) as some people (FOLK)”. For me, it conjures up an image of that heartwarming trait us northerners have that “we speak as we find” and “we don’t stand on ceremony”. Now that you understand that, you’ll understand that Jackie writes using “say what you see”, “tell it like it is”, “it does what it says on the tin” plain-speaking northern language that is highly entertaining – in fact, I haven’t laughed so much at the written word since Pam Ayres released Some of Me Poetry in 1976! When she describes arty-farty products created and sold in a post-industrial, bohemian Hebden Bridge using terms like “ethical ear muffs crafted from locally foraged lichen, squirrel poo, and repurposed barbed wire”, then you know that Jackie has a wit and intelligence beyond most writers, and you’ll soon be wishing she could write every book that you chose to read from now on. For some weird reason, I’ve only just become acquainted with Jackie’s writing, having recently read the first in her Adventure Caravanning With Dogs series. I’m amazed I haven't discovered her sooner, or as we’d say up north when we’re dumbfounded, “well, I'll go t’t foot of our stairs”! The good news for me is, she has another six tales I haven’t read yet, so I’ve a lot to look forward to. If, like me, you like a good laugh, then look no further than Jacqueline Lambert, who has developed a style of writing comedic prose that is better than most comedy travel authors.

This book is a must-read for everyone dreaming of selling up and taking to the road. It’s both inspiring and realistic, showing that despite apparently insurmountable problems, it’s possible to overcome almost anything as long as you’re determined to follow the dream. It’s also a fascinating travel memoir focusing on some of Britain’s lesser known places and their unique features. Prompted by their efforts to solve the mechanical and technical problems arising from their ‘Beast of foreign build,’ they explore more of England than they bargained for, resulting in visits to a number of virtually unknown heritage sites. More byways than highways, their travels encourage Jackie Lambert to delve into the history of some of the UK’s unusual, sometimes off-beat, but very special monuments

More Manchester than Mongolia: Not so much a road trip round Britain, more a How DID we do that? Why did we go up there? Well - we know not to do THAT again! trip around Britain. Every chapter another adventure or near disaster, told in Jackie's endearing and humorous fashion. I like the mix of travel, history, and humor. It's something I've enjoyed in Jackie's previous books, and it's well-balanced so it doesn't feel like you're reading a history book. Being a Yorkshire lass, my absolute favorite part of the book was set there. I cried with laughter, all the way through the chapter. Brilliant writing. Whether Jackie, Mark and the Fab Four Cavapoos get to Mongolia or not, I hope she keeps writing about their adventures. I love them.