Review of Man Mission
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Review of Man Mission
Someone once said "we don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." While I might not entirely agree with that philosophy, it's something that resonates with the theme of Man Mission. The Man Mission is a week-long adventure invented by two friends which eventually spreads to accommodate their two other friends. Within that one week,they do crazy, rigorous activities like cycling on rough terrain, kayaking, hiking and the likes. It quickly becomes an annual event that offers the men an escape from the monotony of their regular lives, a time for them to unwind and just have fun. Man Mission journals the lives of four friends as they enjoy the rich culture of places like Vietnam, Taiwan, Fiji, and the Hawaiian Islands. They also journeyed to exotic locations, like the lost city of the Incans in Macchu Picchu, Kruger National Park in South Africa, where they enjoyed the company of a majestic pride of lions, elephants, and even a leopardess. They went ice climbing in Iceland and enjoyed the magnificent beauty of the northern lights.
There's a popular saying that 20 friends can't play together for 20 years, but Man Mission by Eytan Uliel proudly boasts four friends that stick together through the various ups and downs of their individual lives; marriage, kids, work etc. At first, I was indifferent about the book, but as I read on, I began to see the appeal of taking a break from regular life just to have fun.
Eytan did an amazing job with the descriptions throughout the novel. It all felt very real and relatable. In addition, he added anecdotes of the guys' journey at the end of each chapter, and a quote and a Bible verse at the beginning of each chapter. Many of the experiences that the characters had are things that a lot of people deal with, so having someone write about it kind of gives the assurance that we're not alone in those problems. I also love the fact that he broached a widely accepted belief that men are not meant to express emotions that make them look weak. It was beautiful to see that even though the characters joked and laughed at each other, they were always there for each other, whether it was a dose of tough love that was required, or advice, or a shoulder to cry on, they were there for each other.
Eytan, in Man Mission,shows that each person's journey is different, but at the same time, he gives us the confidence that no matter how deep you've fallen into the rabbit hole of life, it's possible to find yourself on the path to healing. Embedded in the pages of this book is a story of redemption, of picking yourself up, getting back into the race of life and moving on even when it seems the ground is constantly shifting. It's a story of hope, and I learnt so much about expressing myself rather than keeping things in, because I saw the damage it could cause. While Man Mission chronicles the life and adventures of these friends, Eytan is not oblivious to the problems in their lives. He recognized all of that as a part of their journey. He also emphasized that just because someone starts your journey with you doesn't necessarily mean they get to be with you till the end.
For all the reasons mentioned above, I rate this book four out of four stars. I found no errors in the book although some people, including me might find the language unsuitable. Apart from that, I have no negative comments about this book. If you're a fan of adventures or you're looking to get back up after a setback, then I recommend this book to you.
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Man Mission
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