Review by Vallen Kale -- Searching For Paradise
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Vallen Kale
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Review by Vallen Kale -- Searching For Paradise
[Following is a volunteer review of "Searching For Paradise" by T.L.Hughes.]
4 out of 4 stars
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Searching for Paradise is a novel written by T.L. Hughes and is published by Outskirts Press, Inc. in 2016. It is a historical fiction set in the United States of America in 1984. The novel itself marks Hughes’ official debut as a novelist as well.
The story follows three young friends: Mike Hogan, Lucas Coppens and Declan Brady traveling across the American continent all the way from California to the East Coast. All three of them have given up their full-time jobs for the sake of their shared dream: film-making and music video productions at London. They take to the road in an old Ford Fairlane with a surfboard on the roof, forging their way for the future ahead. Yet, the road forward is paved with familiar faces, tears and laughs of the good old days. Mike, Lucas and Declan suddenly find themselves reliving the old chapters of their lives, and the pursuit of dream itself has also become the journey of self-discovery as well.
When I first saw the cover and the title of the book, I got the feeling that this book may not be that different from Jack Kerouac’s On the Road. After I had read through a few chapters, however, I was at a loss for words. Before I knew it, I was almost half way through the entire book. The point I am trying to make here is that there are no surprises waiting for you once you read the first chapter onward. But you will forget about yourself. You will forget about what you are doing. You will forget about everything. Instead, you will find yourself on the road, crossing America with three adventurers in their Ford Fairlane.
If there is one word to describe this book, I would definitely choose ‘vivid’. Searching for Paradise will offer you a vivid reading experience. You are not reading the words on the pages. Rather, you are seeing things through the eyes of the character (in this case, Mike Hogan). You feel what he is feeling right in that moment. You go wherever he goes. You experience what he is experiencing on the road.
The book is very immersive as much as it is dynamic. Its pages are filled with the most human elements ever, ones that each and every one of us can relate with on a spiritual level. For me, this book is a complete package of sensations. Happiness, sadness, doubts, regrets, love, and hope have all been thrown together into the mix and the result is stunning: a life of a lifetime.
From this book, I have tasted life in its purest form. There are certain aspects of the book that are so philosophical that I believe will make a lot of readers reconsider their viewpoints in life, especially when it comes to religions and the life after death. There are moments in the story that will spin your mind back to the past, reliving the good old days or the bad times you wished to forget. And finally, this book is a companion for your dreams. Through the eyes of Mike Hogan, the protagonist, readers will get to feel how it is like trying to achieve your dream goals. It will also assist you, in a way you never expect, in trying to recover the passion you have lost while pursuing your dreams.
As absurd as it may sounds, I have experienced this firsthand by reading it. To tap into that element, you have to pay a very close attention to the story. Once you do that, you will never regret it.
As I have mentioned previously, Searching for Paradise will offer you a vivid reading experience. The highlight of the book is, therefore, the narrative itself. The overall narration is not in the least resembling sentence writing. Rather, it is an unadulterated form of story-telling. The author, Hughes, is a true master in this craft even though this book is his debut work. The narrative has been decorated with insightful, creative phrases, colorful with witty remarks and jokes.
In some ways, the narration gives a poetic feel for whoever reads it. Readers who are familiar with Walt Whitman’s works or the writings of American Transcendentalism will understand and appreciate this aspect. Yet even if you are not familiar with either of them, you are still able to enjoy it. In his narrative description, aside from trying to instill clear images in the readers’ mind, Hughes has also democratized the emotional feel for all kinds of readers, not just for one particular group.
Another aspect that is worth mentioning is the content or the themes of the story. The book has been described as being a ‘coming of age’ story of which I totally agree with. However, coping with the feelings of having to grow up is not the only cornerstone for this book. Faith and religion are pervading in this story, exploring the irony of dogmas and life after death in ways that readers will find of utmost interesting.
In addition to that, Hughes has also presented to us the classic human struggle: reality vs. dream. It is probably the dominant theme in this book. However, Hughes has done more than just sympathizing with the readers and their struggles to make dreams come true. He has also lend us a hand as well. There are parts in this story that readers will find very inspiring and, I believe, light up a spark in their hearts to go on. And so this book has its perk of being more than an enjoyable book to read, but also a remedy for a tired soul.
The final highlight of the book is its emotional feel as a whole. While there may be a mixture of feelings through the pages, one sentiment stands out from the rest: coziness. It is a story of friendship. Whenever we are on the road with your family or friends, you get the vibe of togetherness. The warmth of companionship. Even though you and the ones you cared about are on the journey to the unknown, you still get the feeling that ‘everything will be all right’ because you are not alone. Hughes did a splendid work on conveying this feeling for the readers. It feels as if you are right there in the backseat of Ford Fairlane with Mike, Lucas and Declan.
While Searching for Paradise is a one-of-a-kind piece of work, it is not without its flaws. The first problem I have encountered while reading this book is, ironically, its narrative itself. At certain points in the book, the narrative description can be ‘overflowing’. In other words, the description is too much. It is not so different from having too many pieces of chocolate cake in one day.
The second problem may be subjective in nature. This book is a historical fiction with a story set in the United States during the 1980s. Thus, there are lots of American popular cultural references such as celebrities, music, sport competitions and many others from that period. My concern with this particular aspect is that not every reader will be familiar with them. As I read the book, I have the feeling that we might get a better taste of its experience if we are already have a prior knowledge about American popular culture in that period. Otherwise, it can a bit confusing and might ruin the emotional engagement the reader has with the book. Regardless, I believe it would be better if I leave room for other reviewers and readers to come up with their own standpoint on this aspect.
Before I wrap up this review, I would like to point out a minor error in the book. In chapter 25, page 142, at the second paragraph, the author has written one sentence twice: “In 1984, it was liberating to walk out of the Chicago music store of our own free will.”
As far as the book is concerned, I am mostly impressed with the story and the main characters. For me, I believe that every great achievement has its root from a humble origin. The same can be applied to people. Mike, Lucas and Declan are the epitome of that belief. They have inspired me with their journey and I believe that they will inspire a lot of readers who are going to pick up this book.
Hence, I would like to rate this book a 4 out of 4 stars. Searching for Paradise is that one book that every reader ought to have a copy on the shelf. Ambitious dreamers. Young people. Those who are longing for the good old days. Seekers of truth. This book is practically for every walk of life. Hughes has given us more than just a book to help us passes the time when we have nothing to do. He has given us a ticket. A ticket for a ride in an old Ford Fairlane with three crazy dreamers. It is an opportunity for a road trip of self-discovery. To the paradise you are looking for. And I doubt there are few books out there that offer as much as Searching for Paradise.
******
Searching For Paradise
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Vallen Kale's review? Post a comment saying so!
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Searching for Paradise is a novel written by T.L. Hughes and is published by Outskirts Press, Inc. in 2016. It is a historical fiction set in the United States of America in 1984. The novel itself marks Hughes’ official debut as a novelist as well.
The story follows three young friends: Mike Hogan, Lucas Coppens and Declan Brady traveling across the American continent all the way from California to the East Coast. All three of them have given up their full-time jobs for the sake of their shared dream: film-making and music video productions at London. They take to the road in an old Ford Fairlane with a surfboard on the roof, forging their way for the future ahead. Yet, the road forward is paved with familiar faces, tears and laughs of the good old days. Mike, Lucas and Declan suddenly find themselves reliving the old chapters of their lives, and the pursuit of dream itself has also become the journey of self-discovery as well.
When I first saw the cover and the title of the book, I got the feeling that this book may not be that different from Jack Kerouac’s On the Road. After I had read through a few chapters, however, I was at a loss for words. Before I knew it, I was almost half way through the entire book. The point I am trying to make here is that there are no surprises waiting for you once you read the first chapter onward. But you will forget about yourself. You will forget about what you are doing. You will forget about everything. Instead, you will find yourself on the road, crossing America with three adventurers in their Ford Fairlane.
If there is one word to describe this book, I would definitely choose ‘vivid’. Searching for Paradise will offer you a vivid reading experience. You are not reading the words on the pages. Rather, you are seeing things through the eyes of the character (in this case, Mike Hogan). You feel what he is feeling right in that moment. You go wherever he goes. You experience what he is experiencing on the road.
The book is very immersive as much as it is dynamic. Its pages are filled with the most human elements ever, ones that each and every one of us can relate with on a spiritual level. For me, this book is a complete package of sensations. Happiness, sadness, doubts, regrets, love, and hope have all been thrown together into the mix and the result is stunning: a life of a lifetime.
From this book, I have tasted life in its purest form. There are certain aspects of the book that are so philosophical that I believe will make a lot of readers reconsider their viewpoints in life, especially when it comes to religions and the life after death. There are moments in the story that will spin your mind back to the past, reliving the good old days or the bad times you wished to forget. And finally, this book is a companion for your dreams. Through the eyes of Mike Hogan, the protagonist, readers will get to feel how it is like trying to achieve your dream goals. It will also assist you, in a way you never expect, in trying to recover the passion you have lost while pursuing your dreams.
As absurd as it may sounds, I have experienced this firsthand by reading it. To tap into that element, you have to pay a very close attention to the story. Once you do that, you will never regret it.
As I have mentioned previously, Searching for Paradise will offer you a vivid reading experience. The highlight of the book is, therefore, the narrative itself. The overall narration is not in the least resembling sentence writing. Rather, it is an unadulterated form of story-telling. The author, Hughes, is a true master in this craft even though this book is his debut work. The narrative has been decorated with insightful, creative phrases, colorful with witty remarks and jokes.
In some ways, the narration gives a poetic feel for whoever reads it. Readers who are familiar with Walt Whitman’s works or the writings of American Transcendentalism will understand and appreciate this aspect. Yet even if you are not familiar with either of them, you are still able to enjoy it. In his narrative description, aside from trying to instill clear images in the readers’ mind, Hughes has also democratized the emotional feel for all kinds of readers, not just for one particular group.
Another aspect that is worth mentioning is the content or the themes of the story. The book has been described as being a ‘coming of age’ story of which I totally agree with. However, coping with the feelings of having to grow up is not the only cornerstone for this book. Faith and religion are pervading in this story, exploring the irony of dogmas and life after death in ways that readers will find of utmost interesting.
In addition to that, Hughes has also presented to us the classic human struggle: reality vs. dream. It is probably the dominant theme in this book. However, Hughes has done more than just sympathizing with the readers and their struggles to make dreams come true. He has also lend us a hand as well. There are parts in this story that readers will find very inspiring and, I believe, light up a spark in their hearts to go on. And so this book has its perk of being more than an enjoyable book to read, but also a remedy for a tired soul.
The final highlight of the book is its emotional feel as a whole. While there may be a mixture of feelings through the pages, one sentiment stands out from the rest: coziness. It is a story of friendship. Whenever we are on the road with your family or friends, you get the vibe of togetherness. The warmth of companionship. Even though you and the ones you cared about are on the journey to the unknown, you still get the feeling that ‘everything will be all right’ because you are not alone. Hughes did a splendid work on conveying this feeling for the readers. It feels as if you are right there in the backseat of Ford Fairlane with Mike, Lucas and Declan.
While Searching for Paradise is a one-of-a-kind piece of work, it is not without its flaws. The first problem I have encountered while reading this book is, ironically, its narrative itself. At certain points in the book, the narrative description can be ‘overflowing’. In other words, the description is too much. It is not so different from having too many pieces of chocolate cake in one day.
The second problem may be subjective in nature. This book is a historical fiction with a story set in the United States during the 1980s. Thus, there are lots of American popular cultural references such as celebrities, music, sport competitions and many others from that period. My concern with this particular aspect is that not every reader will be familiar with them. As I read the book, I have the feeling that we might get a better taste of its experience if we are already have a prior knowledge about American popular culture in that period. Otherwise, it can a bit confusing and might ruin the emotional engagement the reader has with the book. Regardless, I believe it would be better if I leave room for other reviewers and readers to come up with their own standpoint on this aspect.
Before I wrap up this review, I would like to point out a minor error in the book. In chapter 25, page 142, at the second paragraph, the author has written one sentence twice: “In 1984, it was liberating to walk out of the Chicago music store of our own free will.”
As far as the book is concerned, I am mostly impressed with the story and the main characters. For me, I believe that every great achievement has its root from a humble origin. The same can be applied to people. Mike, Lucas and Declan are the epitome of that belief. They have inspired me with their journey and I believe that they will inspire a lot of readers who are going to pick up this book.
Hence, I would like to rate this book a 4 out of 4 stars. Searching for Paradise is that one book that every reader ought to have a copy on the shelf. Ambitious dreamers. Young people. Those who are longing for the good old days. Seekers of truth. This book is practically for every walk of life. Hughes has given us more than just a book to help us passes the time when we have nothing to do. He has given us a ticket. A ticket for a ride in an old Ford Fairlane with three crazy dreamers. It is an opportunity for a road trip of self-discovery. To the paradise you are looking for. And I doubt there are few books out there that offer as much as Searching for Paradise.
******
Searching For Paradise
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Vallen Kale's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: "Keys to Tetouan" by Mois Benarroch
