Customer Reviews

Signspotting III: Lost and Loster in Translation (Signspotting: Lost & Loster in Translation)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this book for my 12 year old daughter for Christmas, who has enjoyed the earlier editions of this series. So I was very disappointed, in reading through it, that there are several references to sexual things, both slang and direct, which I don't feel are at all appropriate. The earlier books, to my recollection, are much more G-rated. It really ruined my enjoyment of it personally, and I regretfully put the book away as I do not want it in my daughter's library.

I believe the author has enough signs sent to him to choose from, that he can make his next book with humor everyone can enjoy.

Dr. Zipper, Toiletman and the Hoebowl are all featured in this book of signs photographed from all over the world. Not the most sophisticated reading in the world but as a long-distance traveler myself I can tell you it represents some of the funnier things you see while on the road.

Most of the time, unintentional humor is the funniest kind of humor and this collection of various signs from around the world is a case in point. The humor in many of the signs is due to an awkward or wrong translation into English, but there are quite a few original English language signs that have inadvertently stumbled into humor. A large proportion of signs fall either into the bedroom or bathroom category of humor, so if you are offended by either one of those two kinds of humor this book will not be for you. One of my favorite signs in this collection comes from my native Croatia and it seems to combine both the bedroom and bathroom humor: it is a pictorial sign that seems to urge women not to urinate topless. You can't make stuff like that up.

All of the pictures in this collection are well done. They come with an accompanying snarky comment and an info on the location of the said sign and the name of the photographer who took the picture.

Overall, this is a very funny collection of signs and if you are into this kind of humor you will find yourself laughing on almost every page.

Of the three, this is the least best. I don't want to say worst, because it isn't bad, it just isn't quite as funny as the other two. And yes, this is the one to maybe keep away from the younger kids. The age limit is up to the individual. Personally, I wouldn't have "too" much of a problem with a 12 or 13 year old look at it. They aren't going to "get" all of the innuendo. Some might, but not all. I know some adults that wouldn't get it. But keep in mind this is a little more "non-family" friendly. The other two are like rated G to PG, this is more rated PG to PG-13ish. Be warned. If it's a gift for say an under 18 individual, look through it to make sure you think it's appropriate for them. Bu overall, like I say, this wasn't quite as funny as the first two. This is more giggle factor than laugh out loud factor.

If you have seen these books, you'll know what they are and love this one too. I look forward to more. If you haven't, these are photos of actual signs taken in mainly foreign countries that don't make sense in English, have bizarre names for establishments, etc. Some had us laughing out loud.

Very cute and witty. You have to see the humor in the situations of what the signs mean and where they are located.

I just kept thinking "What were they thinking?" Maybe we should ask "What were they smoking?" :-) Makes you realize just how important proof-reading is!

Every page is full of guffaws.
Laugh out loud!
Don't think like some series that by the time they get to number 3, they have run out of the really good ones. It is the opposite. The signs are funnier than ever from the first and second books. A real keeper.