Review of Man Mission
Posted: 21 Jan 2023, 08:44
[Following is a volunteer review of "Man Mission" by Eytan Uliel.]
Man Mission by Eytan Uliel is a fictional self-care novel that follows the lives of the main character and his three best friends: Sam, Alec, and Daniel. Every year, the group takes an all-out vacation to a different country or area where they participate in extreme activities, like kayaking and cycling, in order to get away from their stressful lives and fully enjoy and embrace life. It started prematurely when the unnamed main character and Sam, in their early twenties and fresh out of college, hiked through the outskirts of New Zealand. As the years passed, the rest of the friend group joined this annual getaway, finding fun wherever they could. They go cycling through the mountains of Japan, kayaking through the rapids of New Zealand, canoeing between the islands of Fiji, and much more. However, as time passes, marriage vows are exchanged, kids are born, and careers are established. Their life at home catches up with them. They’re forced to make difficult calls and face certain realities in their marriages. As the stresses of life become starkly apparent, their annual retreat becomes less of a vacation and more of a therapeutic venture. The men laugh, joke, and reflect on what it means to be men.
On the positive side, this piece was a very easy and enjoyable read. The group travels to a wide array of countries, and they were very well researched and described. Although it’s a small feature, the attention to detail is commendable. There was a great balance between the personal lives of the characters and their adventures, which I appreciate. The book takes time to fully delve deep into the separate relationships of the characters outside their wacky adventures, whilst still delivering fun-filled moments. As a result, the stresses and problems in the character’s life were equally reflected on. This made the book less of a giant, unbearable adventure novel and more of a relatable slice-of-life book. The book was very funny and entertaining, which kept me eager to continue reading the novel. On the other hand, it had deep moments, like the main character asking himself if he truly loved his wife, that kept me hooked and invested. I appreciated the diversity of the characters in the novel and the ingenuity of the author to use this varied cast to showcase some of the different types of men found in society. The main character is a slightly cowardly, clumsy person who is a clear outlier in the group and sometimes questions and reflects on his masculinity. Daniel is the man with the plan. He’s a smart, logical man who’s a jack of most trades. Alec is the wildest member of the squad. He is a bachelor and a victim to his primal urges. Lastly, Sam is the alpha male—the reckless, macho element that leads the group. Furthermore, I loved that their backgrounds all reflected the expectations men are given as they grow older. This made the characters feel more three-dimensional and relatable. Other than masculinity, the basic universal strains of life were all very well touched on. Deciding between money and career, love, childbirth, and responsibilities as an adult—these experiences were very well interwoven into the story and expressed in a realistic way.
On the negative side, there were a few minor details. The crew went on numerous trips, and eventually the book devolved into a sequence of home life, adventure, and repeat. However, the author did a good job adding flashbacks and bits of context in order to avoid repetition and prevent the storyline from becoming monotonous. Another detail is the fact that the main character's name is never mentioned in the book. It’s not a large issue and may have been done on purpose; it did disconnect me from the character a little.
Overall, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It is a brilliantly written novel that expands on adult life and, while inherently easy to read, contains a deep message about life and adulthood. The book was very well edited, and its somewhat repetitive plotline is a personal negative that doesn’t take away from the brilliance of this book.
I recommend this book to a mature audience. Young teens and early adults will benefit from the life lessons and experiences taught in this book. Moreover, it’s suitable for anyone looking for a light and easy read.
******
Man Mission
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Man Mission by Eytan Uliel is a fictional self-care novel that follows the lives of the main character and his three best friends: Sam, Alec, and Daniel. Every year, the group takes an all-out vacation to a different country or area where they participate in extreme activities, like kayaking and cycling, in order to get away from their stressful lives and fully enjoy and embrace life. It started prematurely when the unnamed main character and Sam, in their early twenties and fresh out of college, hiked through the outskirts of New Zealand. As the years passed, the rest of the friend group joined this annual getaway, finding fun wherever they could. They go cycling through the mountains of Japan, kayaking through the rapids of New Zealand, canoeing between the islands of Fiji, and much more. However, as time passes, marriage vows are exchanged, kids are born, and careers are established. Their life at home catches up with them. They’re forced to make difficult calls and face certain realities in their marriages. As the stresses of life become starkly apparent, their annual retreat becomes less of a vacation and more of a therapeutic venture. The men laugh, joke, and reflect on what it means to be men.
On the positive side, this piece was a very easy and enjoyable read. The group travels to a wide array of countries, and they were very well researched and described. Although it’s a small feature, the attention to detail is commendable. There was a great balance between the personal lives of the characters and their adventures, which I appreciate. The book takes time to fully delve deep into the separate relationships of the characters outside their wacky adventures, whilst still delivering fun-filled moments. As a result, the stresses and problems in the character’s life were equally reflected on. This made the book less of a giant, unbearable adventure novel and more of a relatable slice-of-life book. The book was very funny and entertaining, which kept me eager to continue reading the novel. On the other hand, it had deep moments, like the main character asking himself if he truly loved his wife, that kept me hooked and invested. I appreciated the diversity of the characters in the novel and the ingenuity of the author to use this varied cast to showcase some of the different types of men found in society. The main character is a slightly cowardly, clumsy person who is a clear outlier in the group and sometimes questions and reflects on his masculinity. Daniel is the man with the plan. He’s a smart, logical man who’s a jack of most trades. Alec is the wildest member of the squad. He is a bachelor and a victim to his primal urges. Lastly, Sam is the alpha male—the reckless, macho element that leads the group. Furthermore, I loved that their backgrounds all reflected the expectations men are given as they grow older. This made the characters feel more three-dimensional and relatable. Other than masculinity, the basic universal strains of life were all very well touched on. Deciding between money and career, love, childbirth, and responsibilities as an adult—these experiences were very well interwoven into the story and expressed in a realistic way.
On the negative side, there were a few minor details. The crew went on numerous trips, and eventually the book devolved into a sequence of home life, adventure, and repeat. However, the author did a good job adding flashbacks and bits of context in order to avoid repetition and prevent the storyline from becoming monotonous. Another detail is the fact that the main character's name is never mentioned in the book. It’s not a large issue and may have been done on purpose; it did disconnect me from the character a little.
Overall, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It is a brilliantly written novel that expands on adult life and, while inherently easy to read, contains a deep message about life and adulthood. The book was very well edited, and its somewhat repetitive plotline is a personal negative that doesn’t take away from the brilliance of this book.
I recommend this book to a mature audience. Young teens and early adults will benefit from the life lessons and experiences taught in this book. Moreover, it’s suitable for anyone looking for a light and easy read.
******
Man Mission
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes