I laughed out loud more than I am really willing to admit. This book is for anyone who has taken a trip to the third world or ever graduated from college with the dream of working for an NGO. His writing is easy to read and hard to put down. I loved it.

I really enjoyed this book. It was funny, informative, irreverant, and even a little sad, all at the same time. Being a person who has always wanted to travel to a distant tropical island, this book opened my eyes to some of the realities of living on a tiny island in the middle of nowhere. Overall, the book was well written and fun to read.

This is NOT a fluff book. This is not steamy women's romantic fiction. This book is a witty, hilarious travelogue and from the line "red-arsed Llamas" I found myself laughing aloud. From the author's various descriptions of the setting's waste management challenges to the constant agonizing playing of the song "Macarena," to a diet composed entirely of fish and expired canned goods from Australia, you'll appreciate all you have by the time you finish this entertaining read.

J. Maarten Troost is the best author! I love his work. He writes how I think. Witty, intellectually sarcastic and insightful!

Fun read, a little repetitious but he made the point, unfortunately points out that tropical bliss has its significant drawbacks; love the writing style - tongue-in-cheek, irreverent.

Will definitely search out other books by this author.

Having finished graduate studies in International Relations, Troost (he's Dutch) finds himself unclear on the next career step, so he accompanies his girlfriend who takes a job as an aid worker in Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas), where he tries to write a novel and has funny experiences.

Troost is funny, sarcastic, and self-deprecating. I enjoyed much of the book. If I were reading the stories periodically (e.g., on a blog or in an occasional email), I would have found it even more funny, but in rapid sequence the style got tiresome (especially in the middle of the book). At times the humor felt unpleasantly smug (although I give him credit for being as deprecating to himself as to others).

He also sheds some light on a part of the world that I know very little about: life on a tiny atoll in the middle of the Pacific? It's a whole different world, one very different from other poor countries. When he includes history, he succeeds in making it entertaining. Ultimately, though, most of the book felt like a trifle: I enjoyed it on net but considered stopping halfway and am not rushing out to read his two more recent books (about life in Vanuatu and travels in China). Sort of like he says himself: "I like my entertainment not too serious, not too stupid, sort of like this book" (p84).

I listened to the unabridged audiobook narrated by Simon Vance (British accent) and published by Blackstone Audio (7 CDs). The narration was good.

[Note on content: This book is not about anyone's sex life, has very little sexual content, very little violence, but a significant amount of strong language.]

It's rare to find a book that is so amusing you're giggling every chapter or so. This is one of those books. The title is ridiculous, as the book has nothing at all to do with the sex lives of cannibals. This is the adventures of Troost and his girlfriend who go to live on the atoll Tarawa in the Pacific. He tells of his adventures--fishing for shark, boogie boarding on 25ft waves, trying to find fresh water to drink and preserving each drop, looking for something other than fish to eat. He tells of his thoughts--comparing this life (which is desolate to the nth degree) to that of Europe (his native land) and the U.S. Not only funny, but insightful. I hated for their journey--this book-- to end.

Funny story that really isn't about the sex lives of cannibals, although a bit of the sex lives of the Kiribati who live on Tarawa does play into this goofy first-hand account of a man and his, ahem, "wife" (girlfriend) who spent two years there. While the author is annoyingly and self-consciously cute and flippant as a post-graduate slacker in Washington, DC, he becomes more likable and funny as an out-of-place unemployed author, ahem, "slacker" in Tarawa, where it easy to laugh and feel sympathetic as he describes his experience of trying to swim back to the reef which locals are using as a very public outhouse. Or his other disillusioning experiences in Tarawa.

Pair this with Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before to complete your world-tour of South Pacific disillusionment.

Troost also wrote a sequel that didn't quite live up to Sex Lives for me: Getting Stoned with Savages: A Trip Through the Islands of Fiji and Vanuatu.

And if you are interested in more historical background on Tarawa, Homer Hickam (yes, the October Sky guy) has written a World War II historical novel based on the action there that is a nice companion as well: The Far Reaches (Josh Thurlow Series #1)

The title led me to believe this book would concern the exploits of a drunken fraternity boy. I almost put the book aside without reading it, but you can't tell a book by . . . well, you know.

Luckily, I read the first few pages. I got hooked. It turns out the narrator is an intelligent, literate, self-deprecating observer of his own culture shock as he and his wife immerse themselves into a world quite different from our own. "Sex Lives" is a great read--well written and informative.

By the way, the only cannibals on Tarawa are the dogs. When the local residents aren't hunting them for food, they are hunting each other. Life is hard on Tarawa. It is also surprising and funny.

I just finished "Sex Lives of Cannibals" with that relaxing sense of satisfaction. It started off slowly, but picked up quickly. Troost's personal approach to the native island lifestyle and environment are both informative and engaging. I also enjoyed the humor he wove into every one of his experiences, from serious to silly. I felt it gave a decently balanced viewpoint on the struggles surrounding island life.

My only wish is that he would of been a little more scenically detailed and included more historical material. Yet, as he says, most of their history is oral so, I suppose one could only glean so much...

All in all, it was a great read. Being a fan of witty travel logs, like bill bryson, Troost has become my new favorite!

I really enjoyed J. Maarten Troost's style of writing. It was amusing and really refreshing. Its a cleverly titled book, even though the content does not really cover either cannibalism or sex. It did get me some suspicious glances on flights throughout the southern United States. On the downside I was never really gripped by the content. At least not until the epilogue (returning to "civilisation") which I would have liked to hear more about. I will certainly be trying out the sequel, if indeed that is what it is.

I thought I would be able to enjoy this book since I have been living on a small atoll in the South Pacific. I have visited some of the islands he mentions and I found most of his stories over the top and a few of his stories I would bet are completely fabricated. The title of the book has nothing to do with what the book is about. Troost's writing style is very negative. He comes across as very anti-American. After bashing America several times He ends up moving there after his supposed 2 years experience. Don't waste your time or money.

Just finished this and no, it wasn't a naughty book. It tells the story of a man who lived two years on Tarawa, a teeny-weeny island in the middle of nowhere. J. Maarten Troost has excellent voice and it was a pleasure to be stuck on an island with him. The title? A marketing ploy, I'm sure.

Here is one of favorite passages:

"Stealing, I was told, was a major offense in the I-Kiribati culture. I could see why. There is absolutely no good reason for stealing in Kiribati. That is because of the bubuti system. In the bubuti system, someone can walk up to you and say I bubuti you for your flipflops, and without a peep of complaint you are obliged to hand over your flipflops. The following day, you can go up to the guy who is now wearing your flipflops, and say I bubuti you for your fishing net, and suddenly you have a new fishing net. In such a way, Kiribati remains profoundly egalitarian."

Who needs government social aid in such a culture? Troost goes on to describe how the local people avoid well-paying jobs (leaving those to the I-Matangs -- the outsiders, who can refuse bubuti) as there is no point taking a good job as the bubuti demands would leave one worse off than before.

I learned a lot, and it was a pleasant read -- a good summer travelogue.

....the tough times, it will be an adventure that will be remembered for a life time. Good read! Eva-Christ Check out this link for another adventurous, sexy, read.

The story starts slow, then gets interesting, then falters, then hits it's pace. Not bad, not great.

I am well known among my friends as someone who is bored with any book that is not, often painfully so, educational about the world around me. I don't read to fall asleep, I read and then cannot sleep. This is one of the first books in ages that not only kept my attention without stabbing pains of guilt and dispair but literally had me laughing out loud. It was a nice break from my books of Rwanda, Burma, the U.S. Economy etc etc...

I thought the book was boring and didn't even finish it. Something was lacking there to draw the reader along through the story.

I read this book on two separate levels: a travelogue by someone for whom life in this part of the world was a complete culture shock, and as a sad reminder of the legacy of colonialism in the Pacific. I enjoyed much of the writing: Mr Troost combines good observational skills with an ability to see humour in much of what he observed. Importantly, Mr Troost can laugh at himself and this is what saves this book from being a self-indulgent memoir.

There are some wonderful anecdotes of life in Kiribati, from the perspective of an American visitor, and some poignant reminders of life and culture prior to colonial exploitation.

The book is worth reading - especially by those who entertain romantic notions about life in the Pacific. For those who seek to understand the people or the politics of the region, other sources will be needed.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Maarten Troost's The Sex Lives of Cannibals is many things: educational, poignant, unbelievable at times, and always hilarious. Troost tells his tale of moving to a very remote island in the Pacific when his girlfriend accepts an aid job on Kiribati; to say they didn't precisely know what they were getting into is a bit of an understatement. Maarten goes along, planning on writing the world's greatest novel and instead finding out how the twentieth century has dumped on this beautiful atoll, leaving its citizens trying to make lives out of very little and making the incredible the norm. Along the way he experiences pigs on runways, sharks, sailing between islands amid 25 foot swells, native dancing, an abundance of dogs, World War 2 relics, fish to eat everyday, body surfing, and the Macarena.



Troost has a wonderful way with words, and he pulls you in immediately. His style makes you feel as though you're sitting in the room with him as he recounts stories sometimes so fantastic you find yourself not believing them. He intersperses the book with chapters of actual facts about Kiribati, an area of the world that apparently I'm not alone in knowing almost nothing about. I found myself laughing out loud so often at his descriptions that I know I was bothering my husband as he tried to sleep.



This is a relatively short, fun book that is way more than just a memoir or a piece of non-fiction. While it is indeed hilarious, it's also packed with situations that are just unbelievable for the twentieth and twenty first centuries. In the last few chapters, Troost and his girlfriend move back to the States and have trouble readjusting to the fast-paced life, and I'm afraid I'm going to have trouble readjusting to my narrower view of the world since Troost has introduced me to the gorgeous culture of an isolated Pacific island. Give yourself a treat and indulge in this one. Highly recommended!

Maarten Troost's The Sex Lives of Cannibals is many things: educational, poignant, unbelievable at times, and always hilarious. Troost tells his tale of moving to a very remote island in the Pacific when his girlfriend accepts an aid job on Kiribati; to say they didn't precisely know what they were getting into is a bit of an understatement. Maarten goes along, planning on writing the world's greatest novel and instead finding out how the twentieth century has dumped on this beautiful atoll, leaving its citizens trying to make lives out of very little and making the incredible the norm. Along the way he experiences pigs on runways, sharks, sailing between islands amid 25 foot swells, native dancing, an abundance of dogs, World War 2 relics, fish to eat everyday, body surfing, and the Macarena.

Troost has a wonderful way with words, and he pulls you in immediately. His style makes you feel as though you're sitting in the room with him as he recounts stories sometimes so fantastic you find yourself not believing them. He intersperses the book with chapters of actual facts about Kiribati, an area of the world that apparently I'm not alone in knowing almost nothing about. I found myself laughing out loud so often at his descriptions that I know I was bothering my husband as he tried to sleep.

This is a relatively short, fun book that is way more than just a memoir or a piece of non-fiction. While it is indeed hilarious, it's also packed with situations that are just unbelievable for the twentieth and twenty first centuries. In the last few chapters, Troost and his girlfriend move back to the States and have trouble readjusting to the fast-paced life, and I'm afraid I'm going to have trouble readjusting to my narrower view of the world since Troost has introduced me to the gorgeous culture of an isolated Pacific island. Give yourself a treat and indulge in this one. Highly recommended!

I grew up on Tarawa in the 1970's when it was still a British Colony and my parents were working out there. This book brought back so many wonderful and horrible memories and is so very true to life. My family still operate a 'bubuti' system amongst ourselves!

I am incredibly saddened that such a beautiful place has become so squalid and rundown. As a child the island was so safe we were allowed to run wild. Crime was so low that theft of a bottle of my father's whisky was the main item on the news for 2 days - and there was no Macarena...

Troost captures the warmth, kindness and humour of the I-Kiribati perfectly. His descriptions of the deprivations - water, electricity and the incredible heat (and no air conditioning) and lack of food are perfect. My mother remembers taking my [...]sister to an UK supermarket on a visit home and her announcing loudly "Look mummy, the ship has come in" at the sight of full shelves!

Best book I've read in ages - hilariously funny and a real eyeopener to anyone who believes that Blue Lagoon is the reality of life on a pacific island.

If you have ever fantasized about being marooned on an island in the South Pacific read this book; you will be instantly cured.
Written by Maarten Troost, The Sex Lives of Cannibals is a travelogue/memoir/adventure novel. The adventure being how to survive when your most pressing daily need of fresh water is rarely met.
Troost's book tells the story of having to spend two years on Tarawa, an isolated atoll in the equatorial South Pacific. He is there to accompany his girlfriend/fiance who takes a job with the Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific. Her mission is to educate and attempt to meet various needs of an isolated tropical culture. His job is to survive the daily onslaught of insects, rats, wild dogs, reef sharks and intestinal parasites.
The book is well written and although not a page turner it is enjoyable for it's prose and interesting historical and anthroplogic essays.
Troost makes both the trivial and the solemn funny and interesting with his wit and turn of phrase.
Take it to the beach with a Corona or a Pina Colada for even greater effect!

Exaggerated. Overly dramatic. Derived. The author is a pretty awesome guy, just ask him. Right when you start to think that the story is getting interesting the author slides back into a pit of self-absorption. Few notable pieces of entertainment surrounded by a sea of drivel...erroneous facts. Don't write a book using information gleaned from wikipedia. If you are the type of person who 1) keep hamsters as pets, or 2) remains celibate despite no moral conflicts, then this book is for you.

so much travel writing is heavy and dull. this book was funny and amusing and a delight because it wasnt the typical worship of third world peoples.
I also can tell you that his experience with temp agencies was right on the mark. He hands out the grim facts yet manages to make it entertaining .
I hope he writes more travel books. I would place it in the same catagory as " my family and other animals"

I am two thirds of the way through the book and have to say the number of "laugh out loud" moments were pretty few (2 or 3). I think its an enjoyable read, just didn't do as much for me as some of the other reviewers. Just be aware that the funniest parts all had to do with feces in some way or another. So far there is nothing about the sex lives of cannibals in the book (not really any sex at all), so if that is what you are looking for, its not in the first 2/3 of the book anyway.

If you are looking for funny travel stories, I recommend "I should have stayed home" instead.

I am two thirds of the way through the book and have to say the number of "laugh out loud" moments were pretty few (2 or 3). I think its an enjoyable read, just didn't do as much for me as some of the other reviewers. Just be aware that the funniest parts all had to do with feces in some way or another. So far there is nothing about the sex lives of cannibals in the book (not really any sex at all), so if that is what you are looking for, its not in the first 2/3 of the book anyway.

If you are looking for funny travel stories, I recommend "I should have stayed home" instead.

My daughter who is serving in the Peace Corps on an equatorial island told me to read this book. She said all the Peace Corps volunteers there read it because it describes their lives. It's not quite the same as this island is quite arid and flat but the culture sounds very familiar from what I've heard. The writing is pretty funny. I found myself sort of smiling all the way through it. It's enjoyable and light.

I admit I was sucked in by the title of this book. I mistakenly purchased it, believing it was a piece of fiction. I quickly realized my error when I noticed the word "travelogue" on the spine. That word filled me with terror as I envisioned a boring read about a place I had no real interest in. I couldn't have been more wrong. This is an excellent book for anyone who has the slightest hint of a sense of humor. J. Maarten Troost is a fantastically funny author, whose willingness to self-deprecate is displayed at every turn. He is human and the majority of the experiences he shares in his novel about the South Pacific ring true. Whether he is describing battling the stormy sea in a small, rickety boat or meeting the locals and partaking of their traditions, he is honest. We learn as much about the author and his pseudo-wife, as we do about the islands he visits and the people he befriends. Each chapter is brilliantly introduced with clever summaries that will have you laughing out loud. Enjoy this book. It deserves nothing less.

The author's engaging style and cleaver use of understatement make this a hilarious read. Although the adventures make you laugh, they also make you think.

After Bill Bryson and to soem extent Douglas Adams, Trosst has to be among the best comic travel writers. His experience is the Pacific are genuinely interesting and his narration is smooth and catchy. Truly a fantastic read. Highly recommended if you too are one with a desire for solitude and the majesty of the islands.

I picked up this book as an impulse; the title was intriguing.

It's a very funny read; I laughed out loud numerous times which I rarely do when reading. With the humor there were some social/political issues that did get one thinking. I appreciated the fact that Troost never preached or got on some political band wagon. Regardless, there were issues explored that caused me to ponder man's existence on this planet.

It is a quick read; it's hard to put down.

Troost's writing style is somewhat academic; even he makes comments on his long sentences. However, once the reader gets used to his style, it's engaging.

I can not recommend this book any more highly.

What a delightful book! It's funny, very informative without pushing an agenda or preaching, and basically gives you a slice of a life on a remote south pacific island. Since msot of us will never have this experience, it's great to have the highlights so wonderfully set forth in this little volume. Great vacation reading to pass the time on a plane or in a waiting room. It won't take long, it's easy reading, but expect to laughout loud now and then and get some looks from fellow passengers. Highly recommended, especially if you like to travel or read travelougues.

A good friend from college was in Tonga for 3 years in the Peace Corps, and visiting him in the South Pacific was scary, incredible, confusing, enlightening, and hillarious. That's exactly how this book portrays the author's reaction to his time in Kiribati when his girlfriend accepted an assignment there with an NGO. If you want to learn about the history of the South Pacific, or the culture of South Pacific Islands, this is not the book. It doesn't aim to teach hard facts. If you want a book that is entertaining and also a little educational, this is it.

Light fun read about a tropical hell hole plagued by faeces and NGO's. Just the book to read on a boring flight or in the airport lounge while you're travelling to another boring business meeting. If genuinely interested in the South Pacific then there's none better than "The Fatal Impact: The Invasion of the South Pacific, 1767-1840" (Hardcover)
by Alan Moorehead

I laughed out loud! Draws attention to enviromental and political issues but doesn't preach.

I enjoy this authors writing style as it is full of humor and commen sense that everyone can agree with. His other book, Getting Stoned with Savages, was also good and if you read you have to read the other!

This book is an account of the 2 years Troost and his wife spent on Tarawa, a desolate atoll that is part of Kiribati and quickly becoming a polluted slum.

Most authors would take the easy way out and make this a dull and preachy narrative about the evils of modernization and the destructive influence of "civilization" on age-old societies like the one on Tarawa.

Instead, Troost's book is full of lively prose, and while he does explore the above themes, they're done in a way that is light-hearted and enjoyable.

Read this book to learn more about Kiribati, but also read it to see an excellent writer weave his tale.

One would think that "The Sex Lives of Cannibals" was a psychological reference book about the libidinous habits of Hannibal Lector and friends. Actually, it refers to the historical beginnings of the peoples on a remote Pacific island called Tarawa. The ancesters of those native to the atoll apparently lost their men to invading cannibals who went on to procreate with their women through force, creating a non-descript race of islanders. Not exactly what immediately comes to mind upon reading the title of J. Maarten Troost's first novel, a true story about his two year adventure on a small piece of land in the middle of the an endless bowl of water.

It all begins with Troost's lethargic approach toward his job. He's fed up with it. When his girlfriend Silvia is given the opportunity to work in a program designed to benefit the health and environment of the Gilbert Islands, Troost joins the unemployed and goes with her. Thus begins their whirlwind island lifestyle amid searing heat, lackluster living conditions, consistent health problems and just overall doing without. Many of their trials are humiliating, frustrating, inhuman and sad.

Tarawa has no waste disposal system so people relieve themselves in the ocean. Refuse piles up along its narrow roads and beaches, ignored. The author's cement, vermin-infested dwelling place is considered prime living compared to the thatched homes of the natives. Other countries bully them, depleting their only revenue of tuna by greedily fishing in Tarawa's coveted waters. They have no working fire trucks, have to use sticks instead of toilet paper and four hours of electricity isn't only a rare gift, but a pleasant surprise. Dogs are disease-ridden predators that prowl in huge packs, eating their own in sheer desperation. The daily menu is fish, fish and more fish. Boil your water and you might just go a day without parasites polluting your insides. These are the things poor city-dwellers Maarten and Silvia dealt with on a daily basis from the moment they stepped off the rickety plane that had to abort its first landing because pigs were on the runway.

The best way to experience the hardships of others is to walk around in their shoes. Troost did this with reluctant gusto and there's a feeling of dread in every chapter that most of us can't identify with. The descriptions are harrowing, from Tarawa's ridiculous do-nothing government to the I-Kiribati's (pronounced Kee-ree-bas) unusual preoccupation with the song "Macarena." The people seem amicable enough, just dealing with the cards fate dealt them in that laid-back island way. Most of them don't know what it's like to have a vcr or to use a toilet or have air conditioning. They don't steal, preferring to rely on the "bubuti" system of just saying, "I bubuti you for your shirt," or "I bubuti you for bus fare." It sounds like an agreeable way of life at first, but it's also a good way to go broke. Luckily(?) most of the people don't have much anyway.

That's just one example of Troost's depiction of his own culture shock after settling in Tarawa. He goes on to show us much, much more. And he does it in a funny, clever prose that sometimes veers off into rambling or preaching. He benefits from his time away from the states, even when he complains of being harassed by drunken villagers. The only real drawback of the piece is the lack of personality or character in his wife-to-be, Silvia. Wasn't she the reason they were there in the first place? Troost mostly writes about the heinous living conditions and his interactions with the I-Kiribati. Silvia is often ignored and gives very little to the experience. But that can be overlooked - those people have experienced enough as it is.

I picked up this little gem about 2 years ago at a local book shop. I started reading it at the cafe next door, and I did not stop untill I had finished it. Mr. Troost has a great sense of humor, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Another travel book that had me rolling on the floor, similar to this, is Tony Hawks' "Round Ireland With A Fridge".

An absolute hoot, hilarious enough to be worth it just for the good time, but also has some very thoughtful points to make. Like spending a weekend with your funniest, most fascinating friend (if you're lucky enough to have a friend this funny and fascinating).

Marina Kushner
Author
The Truth About Caffeine: How Companies That Promote It Deceive Us and What We Can Do about It

Let me start off as saying this book contains a lot of common sense philosophies of weight loss and overall good health. Drink lots of water, eat real foods, as opposed to processed junk foods. Always go for fresh vegetables instead of canned, etc. I agree with that wholeheartedly. The book's idea is very pure and simple, and it brings up some very valid points of other causes for weight gain or other common maladities that might besides overeating or lack of exercise, such as thyroid problems, hormonal imbalances, lack of sleep, undiagnosed allergies, etc. So for those reasons, I would recommend the book.

Even if you don't take all of the advice to heart, I think its an educational book and I am altering some of my habits based on the advice in the book. Some negatives of the book are, I found he could be a little redundant in his writing (I skimmed over parts that were getting repetitive) and the more I read, the more it became apparent that to follow his program to the letter would require a big committment - the books says everything from teflon in cookware to pesticides in foods can cause toxic reactions that can cause weight gain.

While I don't disagree with that, it got to be a little depressing reading that so many things in our enviroment could be poisoning us and causing various health problems, including weight gain. That said, just because it can be a little depressing, does not mean it shouldn't be something of which we are blissfuly ignorant. But I find that this would be a program that requires a big commitment and it would require some sacrifice. I think if you are overweight, the one thing that you should check out in this book are some tests Dr. Hyman recommends you request your doctor to perform to make sure there are not some hidden health problems which could be causing weight gain.

Marina Kushner
Author
The Truth About Caffeine: How Companies That Promote It Deceive Us and What We Can Do about It

As one can see by all the 5 star reviews...this book has captured the imagination of a vast number of people. We left Vegas at 4.30pm. The next thing I knew we were landing in Seattle at 6.30pm and I was almost done reading. Now that's a good book! In the same way the court jester would tell the king the truth ( if he/she was good), Troost cuts through the clutter and let's us know what it is like. Some have said he regarded himself superior to the locals...well, I did not read it that way. His humor and insight are fair. I far prefer a book with some "umph" than reading some boring account of an Island. It's the sign of a talented author.
Enjoy...this man will go far.

How about two years in an exotic thin slice of land in the middle of the ocean with your girlfriend in a radically different culture? The writer has an engaging style that makes the book a very easy read. He writes with humour and vivid imagery. I've lived in an island for years with hurricanes and all that but I saw almost nothing in common with what I experienced and what he saw and did. He's really at the end of the earth.

I read this book non-stop and usually I'm too busy for that but I made time to read it. It's nice if you like travel memoirs about people and places that are very diffent than what we're used to.

If you like this type of book I suggest you also check out Holy Cow by Sara McDonald (an Australian in India for 4 years), Dreamkeepers by Harvey Arden (an American going to Australia to see and speak to the Australian Aboriginees),
Savages by Joe Kane (an American goes to the Amazon jungle to visit the Huarani Tribe) and Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Herrer (two Germans in Tibet).

As I read "The Sex Lives of Cannibals," the Smokey Robinson song "I Gotta Dance to Keep From Crying" began to play in my mind.

I quickly figured out why. The author had to find humor in his 2-year overseas assignment to avoid despair, because Paradise Kiribati, despite perfect palm-fringed sunsets, is plagued by poop- and trash-filled lagoons, contaminated fish, canine cannibalism, environmental ruin and "La Macarena" 24/7.

1 star off for the lack of a map (what was the publisher thinking?), a misleading title, fuzziness about certain critical details of daily life (did the author and his girlfriend have air-conditioning to survive 100+ degrees at all times?) and vague anti-Americanism about our Pacific nuclear testing (France's nuclear testing is arguably much closer to islands with an intact Polynesian culture).

Still, an excellent read about a place fallen right off the map, and good observations about fleeing information-driven Washington, D.C., for a place where the biggest news is good surf on the reef, or the arrival of wilted broccoli from an Australian ship in port.

As someone who lived and worked in Kiribati for over two years, I have to say that I was a bit of a skeptic. How could someone fully portray a country having limited knowledge of only its capital?!? The outer islands of Kiribati are so vastly different from its capital, that one almost does not get an "authentic" version of what island life is truly like until leaving Tarawa. With that said, I have to give my wholehearted appreciation for the wit and humor found in this book. It was an excellent, and realistic portrayal of what life was like as an I-Matang living in Kiribati. I could almost hear myself thinking the same thoughts as Troost waded around in the beautiful lagoon (!), and felt as though I was back again riding in the "bus" seated next to the bucket of fish! I believe this book can be appreciated by any of us that have embraced and lived the spartan lifestyle, while resepecting and gleaning as much knowledge as possible from the experience! And for the record, I am so glad he fills the public in on how to pronounce the name of the country (Keer-i-boss).

I read this book while I was living abroad on the islands of Micronesia. A friend (another ex-pat) had received the book in a care package and lent it to me. While it might seem like Troost's description of life on a faraway island is sad and depressing, I don't think so. In fact, in many ways, I was happier when I didn't have proper running water, didn't have access to internet/TV/radio, or the stress of "modern day" living. I think that's what is highlighted in The Sex Lives of Cannibals. It highlights the humor in all the ridiculous and random situations he found himself in, and that they made him a better person for it. No doubt Troost has the best stories to tell at parties!

Troost is one of the best writers I have had the pleasure of reading. He uses intelligent and charming wit to convey points in creative ways. This book is a collection of experiences while living on a small atoll in the equatorial pacific. I have personally dreamed of just packing up and moving away like he and Sylvia did and it is fascinating to read the realities of it in a humerous way. The chapters read as stand alone stories with some underlying themes: the equator is hot, thrusting a community isolated from the rest of the world into 21st century capitalism probably isn't a good idea, and the Kirbati are some pretty hearty folk. And it is all tied together very well in the end in a way that just makes you feel warm inside.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for some perspective and humor, especially slightly cynical daydreamers.

J. Maarten Troost is a wonderful writer! I found this book refreshing and outstanding. Troost exudes wit, intelligence, and has a fresh and bold voice. I found myself laughing out loud more times than I can count. I have recommended this book to everyone that would listen, and I cannot wait to read more of his work. All in all I truly enjoyed spending time with him in Kiribati.

J. Maarten Troost is a wonderful writer! I found this book refreshing and outstanding. Troost exudes wit, intelligence, and has a fresh and bold voice. I found myself laughing out loud more times than I can count. I have recommended it to everyone that would listen, and I cannot wait to read more of his work. All in all I truly enjoyed spending time with him in Kiribati.

I purchased this book based on the descriptions that it was laugh out loud funny. This was not the case for me. While I found this book to be very informative in a non-boring way and a great travel log of a 2 year journey (and that's why I rated it so high), I rarely found parts funny. To me they were more sad and depressing. So, if you were looking for a hilarious, light read like I was beware. If you're looking for a true life account of living in a third world country with a little humor than this book is for you.