I tried to finish it, I really did, but I just couldn't. To me it seemed the author put a great deal of effort into writing a book to say how much she disliked being in China and how unpleasant the experience was. If she didn't like it there, why should I like reading about it?

This is not to say that all travel books should be nothing but positive - negative with a sense of humour works really well (Bill Bryson has moments like this). Negative with the author having learned something is also good. But to me, this was like reading a series of well written (but very negative) reviews at Tripadvisor.com. ( )

Polly Evans an Englishwoman decides on a two month journey touching on different areas of China. I applaud her effort and her courage to jump into an unfamiliar culture and world. The girl does have whit .... but was it me? Was her sense of humor somewhat grating making me cringe at times?

To me, the tone of the book looked down ... almost mocked the Chinese culture. I do have Chinese blood running through me, so the Chinese culture is not exactly alien to me. But for those of who know me well, I'm an adopted Mexican because of my workplace and feel a bond with the French. And I'm born in the United States. I am a master assimilator.

Since I was running around China 18 months ago, I did enjoy reminiscing with her which made the book much more palatable to me. I'm considering reading her book on adventures to Alaska or New Zealand and see if they have the same effect.

I can take away that people actually paid for her to write about her trip. Hey, I can take trips and write too. In fact, for those people who actually read my reviews, I'll let you be some of the first to know of my next travel adventure.

In September, I'm going to the Philippines! And then China. I want to most see this village in China where my grandfathers were born. (my grandmothers too?)

Shall I write a book about this adventure?
( )

Some Funny Anecdotes

Evans' book "Fried Eggs with Chopsticks" is a very quick read. Nothing of particular interest happens. There is no typical plot development, climax, or resolution. It's just a book of observations that Evans makes while traveling through China in less-than-luxurious conditions.

The comedy comes from the gap between what Evans wants and what she gets. For example, every chapter Evans wants a gourmet meal, but ends up getting something like soggy vegetables. She expects a comfortable bus ride between two cities, but ends up watching somebody throw up out the window.

There are some interesting historical notes scattered throughout the book. It was interesting to read about attempts to embalm dead communist leaders, like Mao Zedong, and it was interesting to read, albeit briefly, about the history of Shanghai. I think Evans could have improved the book greatly by adding more historical anecdotes and less complaining.

The complaining gets a little over the top at times. Nothing seems to fit her psychologically. Even though that creates the comedy, it drags on quite a bit and becomes tiresome toward the end of the book. Many travel books have an "aha" moment where the author makes a self-discovery and a unique observation. This had nothing of the sort. It set out to be a comedy of errors. ( )

Evans the arrogant traveler takes on China: I really liked "It's Not About the Tapas" so when I saw this I was expecting something fresh and fun. Well, Evans actually planned her trip for Spain, (granted with a lot of wine--but at least she had a map and Spanish dictionary!) But for Fried Eggs, she seemed to think she could just plop herself in rural China and everyone would come running to meet her every need--even if she couldn't be bothered to learn the language or take along a pocket Mandarin Dictionary. She didn't even know the word for RICE!!!

I needed a good long scrub after reading her incessant descriptions of spit, snot, phlem, vomit, nose picking and public bowel and bladder elimination sprinked in every chapter. I never needed to read a description of vomit as it's spattered on a bus window, or know what someone's butt looked like as they poo. Some things should be left to the imagination (or not!)If you think I'm graphic, then this isn't the book for you, she goes into GREAT detail. Honestly, there was just lots of stuff I didn't need to know, but not nearly enough of what I wanted to find out.

I felt she did some historical research--as seen in her constant swings into random history lessons--but she didn't plan for the realities of current life in China. I can't imagine going solo in rural China without even knowing the words for "rice, noodles, vegetables, chicken, beef, and pork" in Mandarin. I winced at her describing how she wandered about restaurants pointing at people's dinners to let the waitress know what she wanted. How rude! Granted I found the copiously flowing phlem to be disgusting, but her behavior was equally rude and ignorant. I felt she really enjoyed feeling superior to the rural Chinese and their way of life. She certainly didn't give me any reason to visit China based on her experiences. Truthfully, If I was stupid enough to travel to China as unprepared as she did, I wouldn't write a book celebrating my ignorance. I would have been embarassed.

I had to force myself to finish as I lost interest (and my appetite) about half of the way through. I had considered traveling to China, but after reading this I was initially scared off--but then I realized Polly Evans had not done her homework or prepared herself for the trip and I shouldn't let that keep me home. Perhaps it would have been better for everyone if she had hired a travel companion that spoke Mandarin, or at least hooked up with a tour company that could line up the ferries and other transportation for her. I also would have liked a chapter on what she might have done differently since she seemed to have such a miserable time.

Travel notes from a Brit traveling around China. Nice to read an account by someone that knows China's history yet embraces her present with respect. ( )