Review of Man Mission

[Sudasha Donatien]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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I must begin this review by stating that Man Mission by Eytan Uliel is one of the most thought-provoking and evocative novels I have read in years. Going into this, I got the impression that this was going to be autobiographical; however, to my pleasant surprise, it was written more like a work of fiction. The novel stars Eytan as the main protagonist and the sole first-person narrator. It spans a tale told over fifteen years and depicts annual ‘man missions’- trips undertaken by the narrator and his four closest friends, Sam, Alec, and Daniel. Interspersed with several stages of their lives, we see them grow and develop from young adults to middle-aged men with families and careers, while simultaneously going on these testosterone-filled expeditions, each one getting more and more extreme with the passage of time. Though the trips initially begin as a way to express their ‘macho-ness,’ they are often filled with introspection and offer lifelines for each man, helping them to come to terms with themselves, and what it means to be a man in today’s society.

What I loved most about this book was the author’s ability to make me feel as if I was traveling with the four main characters; it was almost like being a fifth member of their group. The descriptions of each country gave life to the words; Uliel’s skill in illustrating the beauty of each place was masterful. From New Zealand to Fiji, from South Korea to Hawaii, I was transposed there through the way they were portrayed, despite the fact that they are all destinations I have never personally visited. I also enjoyed the portrayal of friendship and the feeling of camaraderie between the protagonist, Sam, Alec, and Daniel. The first few “missions” were undertaken by only Uliel’s character and Sam, with the rest eventually drawing in Daniel, and then, later on, Alec. Through each “mission” and through each year, I felt the bond between the friends grow and mature, helping each other through losses and devastations, with little to no judgment.

There were really no major negatives for me in this novel. The only slight issue I had is that I would have liked the length to be a bit longer so that certain parts of the story could have been more developed (for example, Uliel’s divorce and transition to singledom). That part of it felt a bit rushed and underdeveloped. Otherwise, as stated, I had no further disputes.

In the end, I give Man Mission a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. As indicated, I really found this book to be provocative (in a good way), as it inspired me to be more open to the labors of men. It was amazing to follow how the main character developed, and his journey helped me learn about what it means to be a man in today’s society. As a female, in what has often been deemed a male-dominated culture, I had really never given much thought to men’s issues. However, this book was quite eye-opening and has given me the knowledge to be a bit more sympathetic.

I can safely recommend this to young adults and adults, and anyone interested in growing their understanding of the demands that societal norms place on men. Combined with the many humorous moments, and the genuine friendship between the four friends, this novel will entertain you as well as teach you. I would not deem this suitable for younger persons, as there are many instances of major profanity, and some moments of sexual content. It was professionally edited, with very few errors. If I take away anything at all from Uliel’s book, it is that there is much stigma surrounding male emotions and vulnerabilities. It is important for men to feel able to safely express themselves when they feel sad, lonely, upset, or scared. As the protagonist stated, “The manliest of all adventures wasn’t to kayak across a wild ocean, or ride up a steep hill, or trek through an inhospitable jungle. It was to live a whole life, without forfeit or compromise. The most authentic Man Mission of them all was simply to keep moving forward; to make the journey, even when hard and painful.” The best thing about that statement? It can be applied to every person in the world.

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Man Mission
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[Edet Joy]

Man mission is a jocund and exciting read, couldn't have been any better. The author did a wonderful job

[Sudasha Donatien]

Man mission is a jocund and exciting read, couldn't have been any better. The author did a wonderful job

Yes, it is one of the best books I have read in a while. Thanks for taking the time to read my review!