"Tom Chesshyre gives a behind the scenes look at the islands [which] are among the most sought-after holiday destinations." - Mail on Sunday BOOK OF THE WEEK "As the first Maldivian DIY traveller tale, Chesshyre's cheerful book will motivate many freewheeling followers." - The Times "A travel book that is a rare privilege these days. a new perspective on a little traveled side of a country we think we are familiar with, but which turns out to be richer and far more interesting than we might even have imagined. A great read." - Ed Gillespie, Guardian journalist "Chesshyre, one of the most dependably interesting modern travel writers, explores the offbeat atolls of this sinking archipelago, wandering beyond the five-star resorts to uncover an authentic idyll just as nourishing." - Wanderlust "In Gatecrashing Paradise Tom sets out to explore the other Maldives, not the one where all the tourists go. Until quite recently tourists were very restricted when it came to Maldives travel.

That's changed and as a result small guest houses and hotels have sprung up and you can make your way – like Tom – around the island by local ferry services and domestic flights. You don't need an economics degree to know most of the money from the five star resorts would have gone straight back to their overseas owners. Tom [travels] all around the scattered atolls of the low lying nation where he encounters climate change concerns (nothing is naturally much more than two or three metres above sea level), worker exploitation, tsunami fears and some decidedly murky politics, often as opaque as the lagoon waters are transparent." - Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet "Tom Chesshyre bravely and entertainingly exposes the dimensions of the Maldives that the tourist board is strangely shy of illuminating." — Simon Calder, travel writer "Revealing aspects of a surprising little tropical nation wholly unknown to holidaymakers, Gatecrashing Paradise compares honorably with Arthur Grimble's A Pattern of Islands ." - Alexander Frater, chief travel correspondent, The Observer , author of The Balloon Factory and Beyond the Blue Horizon " Gatecrashing Paradise is an entertaining travelogue that visits the corners most tourists never see." - Marie Claire " Gatecrashing Paradise clearly depicts a guesthouse scene largely undiscovered, which offers the chance to experience the warm communities and rich culture of island life." - Minivan News: Independent News for the Maldives "I loved it.

Tom Chesshyre discovers that beyond the glossy brochures lies an almost undiscovered country that is brimming with life." - Mrs. O Around the World Praise for Tom Chesshyre "This witty, perceptive book provides a fascinating read for lovers of thoughtful, imaginative and well-written travel literature."— Mail on Sunday "A charming travel companion, entertaining and engaging"— Times Literary Supplement "Highly readable Bill-Bryson-esque travel writing."— Telegraph "Never lacking in humor."— Mirror.