Review by khaulah -- Man Mission by Eytan Uliel

[khaulah]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Man Mission" by Eytan Uliel.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Told from the perspective of a single character who remains nameless throughout the book, Man Mission is about the narrator and his three best friends: Sam, Daniel, and Alec. Each year they travel to an exotic location to indulge in their love of food and physical activities like hiking, biking, and kayaking. The narrator and Sam are the first ones to go on a trip to New Zealand, where they hike the Harper’s Pass Trail, followed by a trip to Japan, where they bike ride all the way from Tokyo to Niigata. Daniel and Alec join in later, starting a full-fledged annual tradition called “Man Mission.” Each man mission helps them to lighten the burden of their souls and to face the monotony of life with renewed vigor.

The book is divided into three parts, which are again subdivided into 15 man missions. Each man mission includes the narrator alternating the description of the travelogue portion with the wider narrative of the personal lives of the characters, their relationships, and their work lives.

Humour is sprinkled generously all through the book. Eytan Uliel’s ability to squeeze in humour even in the most unlikely situations is admirable. The incredible camaraderie between the male characters, their constant banter, and witty one-liners make it an enjoyable read. Their bonding is not perfect and has its share of ups and downs, making it real and believable.

The main character’s emotional issues, ingrained fear, and doubts can resonate with many of us. Through his travel adventures, he becomes a better person, and he manages to achieve some sense of inner peace. Man Mission is a beautiful take on growing up, becoming a man, and taking responsibility for one’s actions. On the surface, it looks as though the book is about the annual adventures that the characters embark on, but on a deeper level it is about a modern man struggling with his identity, facing job insecurities, and financial pressure. It’s not just about the trips, but the journey of the soul. It’s about just being and seizing the moment.

As you go through the book, you slowly begin to understand that men have it just as tough, and how the stigma surrounding mental health treatment prevents them from reaching out for help. It highlights the dysfunctional way in which men are brought up, forcing them in subtle ways to close up emotionally. The book may help in reducing the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.

All in all, Man Mission is a compelling account that effectively balances the humorous accounts of the travel adventures with the inner journey of the characters. There are many instances of the use of swear words and sexual innuendos, making it highly unsuitable for younger readers. I assign this book 4 out of 4 stars. The book is perfectly edited; I didn’t find any grammatical errors.

I would recommend this book to someone who wants to experience travelling to diverse locations in the world without being there physically, someone who is looking for an idea for their travelling adventure or someone who merely loves reading fun travel books.

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Man Mission
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[Bigwig1973]

I really liked the humor in this book and I think you are so right in pointing out that certain aspects of the story are applicable to so many people. Nice review on such a fun and interesting book to read!

[khaulah]

I really liked the humor in this book and I think you are so right in pointing out that certain aspects of the story are applicable to so many people. Nice review on such a fun and interesting book to read!

Thank you!

[Ajinja Odire]

I loved how you have the overview of the book in your review. Congratulations for the good review.