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The Ascent Of Rum Doodle

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

First published in 1956, The Ascent of Rum Doodle quickly became established as a mountaineering classic. As an outrageously funny spoof about the ascent of a 40,000-and-a-half-foot peak, many thought it inspired by the 1953 conquest of Everest. But Bowman had drawn on the flavour and tone of earlier adventures, of Bill Tilman and his 1937 account of the Nandi Devi expedition. The book's central and unforgettable character, Binder, is one of the finest creations in comic literature.

©1989 W. E. Bowman (P)2024 Penguin Audio

 Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Satire Sports Classics Fiction Witty Comedy Adventure

Critic reviews

Wonderful. Rum Doodle does for mountaineering what Three Men in a Boat did for Thames-going or Catch-22 did for the Second World War. It is simply an account of the leader of an expedition up Rum Doodle, a 40,000 and a half foot peak in the Himalayas, in the same way that Scoop is simply a tale about newsgathering in Africa. The tone is nearer to Pooter than anyone else I can think of, but the flavour is all W.E. Bowman's own.
I just love this book. Everything about it is nearly perfect... hugely enjoyable and brilliantly sustained.
Exceedingly funny... as if the hero of Diary of a Nobody had, in a mood of abandon, turned to mountaineering.
it is an epic. It is Homeric. It is inspiring. It is very, very funny... Read it and be moved.
All stars
Most relevant
Travel writing for the armchair humorist with a fantastic cast of endearingly caricatured characters and steady stream of running jokes that perfectly apes the earnest, serious travel writing of its time. Shades of PG Wodehouse, Dad's Army, J.K. Jerome and more.



It's amazing that this book is not more widely known but its obscurity makes it very pleasant surprise. I just wish someone would read / record the sequel - Cruise of the Talking Fish.

Deserves it's legendary status

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Having read the book many years ago, I knew this to be a very funny story. Furthermore, the brilliant narration by Terry Wale enhances the comedy, so listening to this is guaranteed to have you chuckling out loud.

Brilliantly funny story

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Would you listen to The Ascent of Rum Doodle again? Why?

Probably, it was a really easy listen enjoyable romp featuring the unique 'Britishness' of the early 20th century and is not afraid to laugh at itself. If I was in need of a very silly, funny and under it all, heartwarming tale that is not taxing to the mind, doesn't make you think too much this would be my first choice. I can see myself listening to this again while I work and scaring the horses laughing.

Would you recommend The Ascent of Rum Doodle to your friends? Why or why not?

It would really depend on the friend. To be clear, this is not up everybody's street. But if a friend shared my enjoyment of this type of comedy rooted in classic Britishness then absolutely I would recommend.

What three words best describe Terry Wale and Bill Bryson ’s voice?

Clear, fun and very british. I keep going on about this Britishness thing and even though I am British myself and live in England what I am referring to is the overblown stereotype of early 20th century, public school educated with RP English accents. The reading brought every bit of that out and gave a life to the story that would have been lost if I was reading the book myself.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I am not sure at all that this book would work as a film. But if it did I think it would be:Do YOU have a fiancee?

Any additional comments?

I heard about this book through Radio 4 book of the week. The story and comments it received on the show grabbed my interest. I started hoping for a silly romp full of classic British humour and I got just that. Think Carry on film without the adult humour and smuttiness.

Classic British humour of a bygone age

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The only mountaineering book you’ll ever need.

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Just Great.

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this was an hilarious account of mid century mountaineering the Europeans taking credit for native Himalayan Sherpas

brilliant parody

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