Review of Man Mission
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OB Brian
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Review of Man Mission
[Following is a volunteer review of "Man Mission" by Eytan Uliel.]
This tale reminds me of the following verse from the song, Young, Wild and Free:
'So what we go out,
That's how it's supposed to be,
Living young and wild and free'.
The main characters of Man Mission by Eytan Uliel do not go around smoking for fun like in the song. They know it is harmful to their bodies, and they have both family and career responsibilities to shoulder, which requires healthy bodies. Still, each year, they dedicate one week to living the above words. And they do it exceptionally well!
Daniel, Alec, and the narrator have been friends since grammar school. In law school, Sam joins the trio. Sam, like the narrator, is 'bookish', loves food, and desires to travel the world. They hit it off from the start. Three years later, the boring daily hassles of life have forced the narrator to forget about his fantasy of travelling─until, one Saturday afternoon, Sam calls and suggests that they get on a plane and just go. So, the two embark on an ill-prepared hike of Harper's Pass, New Zealand, the first of an annual culture that would persist for fifteen years. Later, Daniel and Alec join the fold, and the four friends kayak, cycle, trek, and sail in exotic places, and most importantly, eat foods from different cultures from around the world.
Evidently, the author is well-travelled. However, that alone cannot give birth to such a detailed and captivating narration. He vividly describes cycling across the Japanese Alps, the safari in Kruger National Park, South Africa, and kayaking the Murray River in Victoria, Australia. He spares no effort in detailing the scenery, describing the attire and mood of people, and the general atmosphere of a place. Therefore, a reader can picture a flowery yet rocky Andalusia and the seemingly endless green fields dotted with old farmhouses in South Korea. This picturesque description is what I loved most about this book.
Another aspect that I found appealing about this read is how the author displays emotions in the story. Fright of almost dying, anxiety for an unknown future, and delight for a mission accomplished, are all palpable. Thus, readers can journey with the characters through thick and thin. And the humour? My goodness! It hooked me to the narration, leaving me doubling over with laughter at every turn. Besides, Mr Uliel does not neglect the protagonists' 'real world'. We see them grow in their careers and build families. We feel their joy and anguish as they navigate the ebbs and flows of the corporate world and of being heads of their homes. Consequently, readers can identify with the characters and understand their choices.
Nevertheless, I came across several errors in the read. Most of these mistakes were trivial, such as missing commas, and did not interfere with my reading. Still, I recommend another round of editing to rid the book of them.
That said, I award Man Mission four out of four stars. As mentioned above, the flaws in the book are negligible and do not warrant a penalty. An audience that enjoys travelling (or, like me, dreams of it) will love this novel. If outdoor activities tickle your fancy, this novel has plenty of those. As a bonus, your time with this work will be an endless cycle of hysterical laughter. I know because I lived it.
******
Man Mission
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
This tale reminds me of the following verse from the song, Young, Wild and Free:
'So what we go out,
That's how it's supposed to be,
Living young and wild and free'.
The main characters of Man Mission by Eytan Uliel do not go around smoking for fun like in the song. They know it is harmful to their bodies, and they have both family and career responsibilities to shoulder, which requires healthy bodies. Still, each year, they dedicate one week to living the above words. And they do it exceptionally well!
Daniel, Alec, and the narrator have been friends since grammar school. In law school, Sam joins the trio. Sam, like the narrator, is 'bookish', loves food, and desires to travel the world. They hit it off from the start. Three years later, the boring daily hassles of life have forced the narrator to forget about his fantasy of travelling─until, one Saturday afternoon, Sam calls and suggests that they get on a plane and just go. So, the two embark on an ill-prepared hike of Harper's Pass, New Zealand, the first of an annual culture that would persist for fifteen years. Later, Daniel and Alec join the fold, and the four friends kayak, cycle, trek, and sail in exotic places, and most importantly, eat foods from different cultures from around the world.
Evidently, the author is well-travelled. However, that alone cannot give birth to such a detailed and captivating narration. He vividly describes cycling across the Japanese Alps, the safari in Kruger National Park, South Africa, and kayaking the Murray River in Victoria, Australia. He spares no effort in detailing the scenery, describing the attire and mood of people, and the general atmosphere of a place. Therefore, a reader can picture a flowery yet rocky Andalusia and the seemingly endless green fields dotted with old farmhouses in South Korea. This picturesque description is what I loved most about this book.
Another aspect that I found appealing about this read is how the author displays emotions in the story. Fright of almost dying, anxiety for an unknown future, and delight for a mission accomplished, are all palpable. Thus, readers can journey with the characters through thick and thin. And the humour? My goodness! It hooked me to the narration, leaving me doubling over with laughter at every turn. Besides, Mr Uliel does not neglect the protagonists' 'real world'. We see them grow in their careers and build families. We feel their joy and anguish as they navigate the ebbs and flows of the corporate world and of being heads of their homes. Consequently, readers can identify with the characters and understand their choices.
Nevertheless, I came across several errors in the read. Most of these mistakes were trivial, such as missing commas, and did not interfere with my reading. Still, I recommend another round of editing to rid the book of them.
That said, I award Man Mission four out of four stars. As mentioned above, the flaws in the book are negligible and do not warrant a penalty. An audience that enjoys travelling (or, like me, dreams of it) will love this novel. If outdoor activities tickle your fancy, this novel has plenty of those. As a bonus, your time with this work will be an endless cycle of hysterical laughter. I know because I lived it.
******
Man Mission
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
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Cheryl Erickson
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- Latest Review: The Caroler by Liza Martini
This is an exceptional review because I want to get the book and start reading it right now! I enjoy reading books about lifelong friendships. I also can't wait to tag along to all of the amazing destinations that they travel to. Most of all, I love a good sense of humor! Thank you for the exceptional recommendation, I look forward to it!
Latest Review: The Caroler by Liza Martini
