A Tall Man in a Low Land: Some Time Among the Belgians [Paperback]

Harry Pearson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999

Can any nation whose most famous monument is a statue of a small boy urinating really be that dull? Harry Pearson lived In Belgium for several months, burying himself in the local culture. He drank many of the 800 different beers the Belgians produce, and ate local delicacies such as kip kap, or jellied pig cheeks. This book commemorates strange events such as The Festival of Shrimps at Oostduinkerke, and laments the passing of the Underpant Museum in Brussels.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Pearson is as tall as he is funny and, believe me, he is very tall THE FACE funnier than Bill Bryson Pete Davies, THE INDEPENDENT [Belgium] seems a great deal more interesting at the end of the book than it did at the beginning... Pearson is really funny. Do not read this book in a public place. Jonathan Sale

About the Author

Harry Pearson was born on the day Petula Clark had her first number one hit single. His cousin is married to the chairman of the Rare Breeds Society. He is very tall.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0349112061
• ISBN-13: 978-0349112060
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 5 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #448,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > Travel > Europe > Belgium
  • #97 in Books > Travel > Europe > Netherlands

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Taking Belgium Seriously Through Humour, July 23, 2001

By 

Erin O'Brien (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Tall Man in a Low Land: Some Time Among the Belgians (Paperback)

Briton Harry Pearson's long travels to virtually every nook and cranny of Belgium provide a nuanced and enjoyable portrait of a little known culture. Longstanding ethnic and linguistic differences between Wallonia and Flanders are carefully explained, as are major episodes of the country's history, from colonialism in Africa under King Leopold II to the new status of Brussels as the bureacratic heart of the European union. Though Pearon's travel itinerary often meandered, he covers much ground with dry wit and a close eye for seemingly eccentric behaviour. Long regarded as the poor cousin of France and the Netherlands, Belgium and its people are the punchline of many European jokes. Yet for all his chronicles of dubious Belgian aesthetic tastes and futile do-it-yourself construction projects, Pearson's bemused affection for the nation yields a pleasurable and informative read.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What I didn't know about Belgium..., May 1, 2002

By 

villekulla - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Tall Man in a Low Land: Some Time Among the Belgians (Paperback)

...could fill a library. And this would be a good place to start. Slightly surreal, slightly baroque, very funny. If you enjoy this odd travelogue as much as I did, you might also like Tim Moore's "Frost on My Moustache."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Travelogues, April 25, 2009

By 

Mary C. (Florence, MA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Tall Man in a Low Land: Some Time Among the Belgians (Paperback)

What a great book! As someone who's a Belgian-afile at heart this met my expectations and more. Interesting and funny, I read it cover to cover in one sitting. Afterwards I felt like I had enjoyed a wonderful,special dinner; full and satisfying. I found the book in good condition when it arrived as was promised. Only a few used copies were available when I ordered. Not sure if it's going out of print...