Staff Pick

What are Penguin insiders reading this month? Find out which book Janette Lush, Penguin's Production Director, recommends...

  Whatever you're looking for, chances are you'll find it in Molvania. All you need is this guide plus a few vaccinations* and you're ready to go. *For cholera, typhoid, diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis C, meningitis, malaria, tetanus, dengue fever and tickborne encephalitis. Those planning to travel into the countryside might also consider an anthrax shot.

  If what you are looking for is an absolutely hilarious read, you will find it in Molvania. It is a brilliantly conceived spoof on guidebooks in general but bears a close resemblance to the Lonely Planet and Let's Go travel guides so popular at the moment.

 The book starts with a short introduction to the history of Molvania. Molvania's brief flowering of Renaissance culture lasted for about three weeks sometime towards the end of 1503. Post World War II, Molvania came under Soviet rule, which ended in 1982 when the hated symbol of communist control, the Lutenblag Wall, collapsed, not because of democratic reform, but due to shoddy construction. In the town of Gyrorik you can find a prime example of Molvania's beautifully preserved past -one of the "oldest nuclear reactors still operating in the world." Molvania is a country caught between the old world and the new, where witch-burning is still not an indictable offence, yet there are nine government-funded TV networks. The country's national anthem is sung to the tune of "Oh What a Feeling" from Flashdance.

 Every detail in Molvania is played for laughs. The flaps list common symbols used in the guide. The one for a resort shows an umbrella; the public toilet symbol is a lit cigarette. Each chapter offers useful facts, such as "The electrical current is an unusual 37 volts, having been chosen using numerology charts." As in most guidebooks, there are instructions on "How to Get There," but Molvania also tells you "How to Get Away." Under the heading "Communications," we learn that mobile phone coverage is patchy and text messaging involves Morse code; however, they have "one of the most extensive walkie-talkie networks in the world."

 Each chapter features a different region (from the rocky, semi-barren hills to the rocky, semi-barren plains) and covers the traditional guidebook essentials such as "Orientation," "Shopping," "Where to Stay," "Where to Eat," and "Highlights." They also offer travellers tips, such as "When visiting someone at home, the polite thing to say on entering the house is Drubzko vlob attrizzo. When visiting someone's place of work, Klawzitz vlob attrizzo is used. Both expressions literally mean 'Don't shoot.'" Guests planning to use the toasters in hotels with self-serve breakfast facilities are advised to wear well insulated footwear.

 Boxes titled "We Were Wrong!" correct typos from previous editions. For Example, hotels previously described as "appealing" should correctly be described as "appalling." No detail or opportunity for satire is passed up, and on almost every page there is something that will make you laugh out loud.

 You should also visit the website to see Zladko "Zlad" Vladcik sing his big hit "Elektronik-Supersonik," which combines hot disco rhythms with cold-war rhetoric.

 Molvania quickly became a monster hit in Australia, and I hope it has the same success here. Other publishers will most likely copy the format of this very successful book. The authors are presently at work on the next book in the series, entitled Phaic Tan: South East Asia's Forgotten Jewel, which I hope Penguin will be able to bring to all of us Molvania groupies next year.

Read more about Molvania here.