Customer Reviews:
 An Affectionate & Witty View of Human Nature September 18, 1999
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
A wonderfully droll and lively account of a deeply personal adventure to realize a singularly unique obsession. I loved it. Anyone who has ever experienced the collective madness and loopy high spirits that overtakes people who are about to contend with an overwhelming natural event in their lives (ie: approaching blizzard), especially one that isn't likely to kill them or be destroy their lives (ie: hurricane or earthquake), can appreciate this book and the wonderful characters brought so warmly to light.. Is there a people anywhere that isn't obsessed with weather? I think not. Is there any other weather system of so fundemaentally benign an aspect as the monsoon? I think not. Is there one that affects so many people on such a huge scale? I think not. Isn't there room for a great book here? I think so, and this is it. My compliments to Mr. Frater.
Outstanding for it's simplicity and style; top of the picks December 18, 1998
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Frater's style takes just the reader with him and shares the experience, ideas and emotions on a personal level. The concept of chasing water is unique enough but his style of writing is like a personal letter. I could smell the rain before it fell, I felt drenched, could smell the spices, feel crammed in buses, felt scared in the 'plane, was elated at the climax. Alexander Frater conveys images in such an open, frank manner that I believe him. He's like a traveller reporting in letters of experiences, sights and smells. I felt I knew him and wanted to know more of how he thought. This is a writer of such simplicity without any artifice that I want to be more a part of his world through his writings. Definitely a "must read" of travel books!
Superb,evocative,intelligent November 6, 1997
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Alex brings out the very essence of the spirit of the monsoons and it's place in India's existence (political, economic and social). His descriptive abilities are very, very good. He is economical in the use of the language, but I assure you that you will be able to smell the spices in the bazars he visits, a very entertaining and easy read. I have learned a lot about my country. This book has inspired me, and one day, I will retrace Frater's journey and chase the monsoons across the land they call India.
intelligent, evocative, subtle, not mainly about the author October 29, 1997
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A very affectionate book, low-key but very vivid. It is of course, like all travel books, ultimately about the author, and in this case about the loss of his father, but he doesn't harp on it too much. He seems to have taken a great delight in all aspects of India, which travellers exhausted by touts and hustlers can only marvel at. A loving book, and a must-read for anyone going to india, monsoon or not.
 A great idea, a mediocre book September 12, 1997
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Mr. Frater's work does not get to the richness or vivid color of India. Any book having anything to do with India should be rich and complex, stunning, dazzling, challenging and confusing. I found this work dragged
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