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Into the Heart of Borneo Paperback – September 12, 1987

by Redmond O'Hanlon (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 85 ratings
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The story of a 1983 journey to the center of Borneo, which no expedition had attempted since 1926. O'Hanlon, accompanied by friend and poet James Fenton and three native guides brings wit and humor to a dangerous journey.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    208 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Vintage
  4. Publication date
    September 12, 1987
  5. Dimensions
    5.14 x 0.54 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0394755405
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0394755403
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Ye Gods, old man--don't do it!" you're bound to shriek on page 1 of this hilarious travelogue, on which the author lists the hazards that may befall him--vipers, cholera, crocs, ticks, tuberculosis, malaria, rabies, and 1,700 types of parasitic worms among them. After all, portly, over-the-hill London Times literary reviewer Redmond O'Hanlon hasn't done anything more aerobic than flip the pages of a book for decades; he wasn't even a Boy Scout. It's hardly reassuring that his colleague, poet James Fenton--who had the big idea to trek in Borneo--was a Boy Scout. He hated it, and besides, aged, balding Fenton, whom O'Hanlon describes as rather worm-like, sounds like he's a likely lunch for a swooping black eagle.

But on they trod--with the much-needed help of three Iban natives and an unseen, though oft-quoted river god--through jungle, across rivers whose height may rise seven feet overnight, and via native villages (where they often have late-night parties), with one goal in mind: seeing the fabled Borneo rhino. Fenton is nearly swept away in a whirlpool, they subsist on jungle-worm gruel, and ripping off sucking leeches is a near-daily occurrence, but cultural and natural insights and adventures abound in this rip-roaringly funny and deftly written travelogue that will have you chortling out loud. --Melissa Rossi

From the Inside Flap

The story of a 1983 journey to the center of Borneo, which no expedition had attempted since 1926. O'Hanlon, accompanied by friend and poet James Fenton and three native guides brings wit and humor to a dangerous journey.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage; 1st Vintage Departures Ed September 1987 edition (September 12, 1987)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0394755405
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0394755403
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.14 x 0.54 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 85 ratings

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Redmond O'Hanlon

Redmond O'Hanlon

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
85 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kristina Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Would I or would I not travel with these two?
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2006
Verified Purchase
Yes and no. Yes, because these two old British stuffies set off on this journey just the way most "inexperienced" travelers would -- by the seat of their pants. No, because I think I would like a better idea of cuisine before I went.

This charming narrative of two British amatuer travelers inspires humor and awe. Of course they get into all sorts of problems and handle them with dry wit. But they also give stunning and lyrical descriptions of the people and the places they visited.

This was a living travel adventure without a tour-guide in sight.

Best of all, our intrepid souls showed respect and genuine affection for the native peoples they met. I didn't see any bigotry in this book -- except that which they found in themselves and discarded with ease.

Readers should be warned that many of the descriptions of the cultures they visited are very vivid and weak stomachs may not enjoy the unflintching pictures the story evokes.
3 people found this helpful
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redfshbluefsh
5.0 out of 5 stars No spoilers
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2018
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O'Hanlon is a nature writer, an avid birder, and a very droll fellow. This is his first book and I put off reading it for a long time because i'm not really interested in Indonesia. I first read his Amazon book and while the first few chapters were rough going the rest was fantastic and I reread it often. His adventures in the North Atlantic also merit a look. I'm a real fan. Last summer I gave it my brother-in-law to read on the plane back to England; I was amazed he had not heard of him. It would be like not knowing who Stephen J Gould was in America since they both were regular contributors to well known environmental rags. Anyway since he was both an avid birder and worked in Indonesia for three years he also quickly became a fan.
I'm sure you will too.
One person found this helpful
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Wayne A. Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars Humorous Travelogue into Jungle of Borneo
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2006
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This twenty-five year old tale of two Brits being transported by their faithful guides into the deepest jungle of Borneo is amusing and interesting.

Redmond O'Hanlon and the smoking (as in smoking) James Fenton (improbably) the Queen's Poet Laureate embark on a journey to discover the highest mountain of Borneo and hopefully the white Rhino, possibly an island dweller and certainly unseen in decades.

O'Hanlon takes a whimsical approach to this travelogue. The stars are his faithful tribal guides and the locals he meets as he journeys up river and away from modern life. Particularly enjoyable are the village stops where he and his crew are (usually) met with feasts, libations, dance and the occasional memory from the local chieftain's female relatives. The clash of cultures provides many funny moments without slipping into condescation.

Although there is a lot of discussion of birds and waxing about the various properties of rushes, finches, yellow-bellied-sap-suckers and the like, the book is informative and interesting with the occasional chuckle thrown in. Altogether an enjoyable arm chair trip.
7 people found this helpful
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David L Stern
5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh out loud funny, but also a deeply insightful account—guided by relevant ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2014
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Ever consider traveling into the jungle? Read this first. Laugh out loud funny, but also a deeply insightful account—guided by relevant passages from their historical jungle-explorer predecessors— of the fast vanishing natural beauty of the tropical rainforests.
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Dennis
2.0 out of 5 stars I can't recommend this
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2019
Verified Purchase
I'm afraid I found this book to be a slog on par with the author's own slog through the jungle of Borneo. The writing is turgid and, really, nothing much happens besides the extreme discomforts of insects, overwhelming heat, and the boredom of eating fish and rice every day. Most of the book comprises expansive descriptions of various plants and birds, along with their Latin designations and excerpts from ornithologists and botanists from the 1800s. This is a waste of words and space. Given a written description of something that contains twenty (or more) adjectives, no reader can form a useful image of the referent, and so just starts to skim over such descriptions. Yes, there are occasional instances of British ironic humor that work, but hardly enough to motivate page-turning. I overcame a very strong urge to give up on this book several times, but persevered only because of my odd compulsion to finish reading what I start.
One person found this helpful
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Dee Masters
5.0 out of 5 stars I am not going to Borneo!
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2013
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This is a classic travel adventure story. It is not for everyone. I just got into reading travel stories. I like stories with humor, and this has it. I certainly learned a lot about borneo in an asy and amusing way.
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Janet
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read before venturing to Borneo
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2010
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It was a few years ago that I had the incredible opportunity to visit Sarawak and Sabah. I read several books but none gave me the information and real feel of the area as did this book. I highly recommend that you read and reread this rather incredible work, especially if you are heading out into the less traveled areas of this amazing land.
2 people found this helpful
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Benjamin W. Buhl
2.0 out of 5 stars What were some of these other reviewers reading?
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2009
Verified Purchase
With the exception of the first two or three chapters and about 20% thereafter, this travelogue/jungle study is a real snooze.

The best of the book begins on page two where a Major Malcolm explains the potential dangers that lie ahead for the men. It ends on page six. Perhaps you are best reading only those pages in the library and then putting this back on the shelf.

One thing you will learn for sure if you make it halfway is that Bertram E. Smythies wrote "Birds of Borneo." The author refers to both about every five pages. If you are someone who likes knowing the Latin name for all species encountered on a trip through a jungle, you're in for a treat. If you are an ornithological aficionado or expert of any kind, this is no doubt a must read.

But unless you are the kind of person who enjoys plowing their way through a tired, often confusing account written a man plodding through the jungle, I suggest you forget this one. Supposedly Redmond O'Hanlon has written better. Personally I'd try my luck with any number of other travelogue writers before trying another of his.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Vic
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
A very entertaining account of a trip into Borneo, with lots of cultural interest, but with a very sad sting in the tail.
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Client d'Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars ok
Reviewed in France on April 10, 2019
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ok
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Vinobuono
4.0 out of 5 stars very interesting and captivating read
Reviewed in Australia on December 28, 2022
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I bought it as a gift for my boyfriend who is not an avid reader. Yet he enjoyed it and finished it.
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars In the Heart of Borneo.
Reviewed in India on March 29, 2017
Verified Purchase
A good read but it failed to generate the thrill of adventure with unexpected twist and turns such a book is expected to provide. Facing the Congo' by Jeffrey Tayler also from Amazon was more satisfying in that respect.
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars In the Heart of Borneo.
Reviewed in India on March 29, 2017
A good read but it failed to generate the thrill of adventure with unexpected twist and turns such a book is expected to provide. Facing the Congo' by Jeffrey Tayler also from Amazon was more satisfying in that respect.
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2 people found this helpful
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Memenga, Heyo
5.0 out of 5 stars Buch
Reviewed in Germany on March 12, 2015
Verified Purchase
Entspricht in vollem Umfang meiner Erwartung. werde diese Möglichkeit gute, interessante Bücher anzuschauen und zu kaufen allen meinen Freunden, Nachbarn und Verwandten empfehlen
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