Chalk

Part diary, part travelogue and part outrageous comedy, Chalk is a darkly hilarious account of two Australian schoolteachers' tour of Europe. Written in the main protagonist's own words, complete with antipodean colloquialisms. Schenk's descriptions of the various locations he and his companion visit are vivid, colorful and descriptive without ever being pompous. He describes the various predicaments in which they find themselves with a dry understatement and even manages to raise a belly laugh with his description of an overzealous East German border guard. But this is also a very touching story as well. The scene in which Schenk and Bell are confronted with the horrors of Dachau manages to bring a lump to the throat and the message is conveyed in the author's subtle understatement. One thing though. If ever you meet these two gentlemen for real, do not let them within a mile of your restroom. Read the book and you'll find out exactly why...