Review of Man Mission

[Mukuva]

[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 don't know why I did not have much expectation from this book, but I enjoyed it more than expected. As the title states, man mission is a yearly adventure trip meant only for a group of four best friends. The story gives off a memoir vibe at first, mainly because the writer sets himself as the protagonist. Written in first-person narration, the story takes us through the 15-year journey of Eytan Uliel and his three best friends, Sam, Alec, and Daniel. The story does not only take us through their travels and adventures through hiking, biking, or kayaking in various world regions but also takes us into their personal lives portraying men in today's society and the challenges they face. Each year, Uliel faces various challenges, and their trips become something they all need and at times offer lessons to learn.

There's nothing I loved more than what I would call the book's rawness. As the writer focuses on what men go through, from not being able to air their feelings to making sacrifices for their families and so on, the honesty of it all was my favorite part compared to their adventures and always ego battles and mishaps they faced. The story is fast-paced, the writing is simple, and the development of the plot was great. By the end of the story, Uliel has developed as a character despite all the doubts and fears he held within.

As much as I loved looking into their challenges, I felt like the writer rushed through some of the storylines, especially as he would take us back to the year's happenings through short "flashbacks," for lack of a better word. Other than that, it was an excellent read and definitely worth the time. There are instances of minor profanity and light sexual content for those who may not be for such content.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars as it's not only a light read but also something I found inspiring. The journeys the men take a higher height each year as they set out to challenge their limits. Other than that, they sometimes meet people who pass on a lesson or two. It's also refreshing and enlightening because it was my first time to read a novel focused on men's challenges.

I recommend this book to those who like travelogues or memoirs because though a work of fiction, it could pass for all. It's a fantastic read for those who love adventure novels, too, but I think all men could use this book too as it looks at what men face in today's society and may find some of the topics relatable.

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Man Mission
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