Review of Man Mission
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Jennifer Lissethe
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Review of Man Mission
[Following is a volunteer review of "Man Mission" by Eytan Uliel.]
Man Mission, written by Eytan Uliel, follows the adventures of four friends (Eytan, Alec, Sam, and Daniel) who embark on an annual "Man Mission" trip. During this travel, they perform activities that test their limits (kayaking, hiking, or cycling, among others) that culminate with an exotic feast. In this way, throughout 15 chapters, we will go with them to different parts of the world and face surreal situations. For example, we will witness them riding with drug dealers in New Zealand to flee from the authorities in Japan. These settings are narrated in a simple and beautiful way that highlights each location and immerses us in their adventures.
However, we will not only witness the experiences and misadventures of this gang of friends but also their growth. In the first person, the main character will tell aspects of his daily life before his adventure in small segments throughout the chapter, which will complement the story. So, we will see his frustrations, fears, and desires when facing everyday issues such as finding a job, supporting a family, and dealing with responsibilities from a male perspective.
The latter was, to my surprise, my favorite part. When we talk about this aspect of masculinity, we tend to relate it to this series of outdoor activities, jokes, and even a more relaxed attitude toward life's issues proper of men. And it is true to a certain extent. Here, we find rules in which the whinier one must carry a pink bracelet and a friendship that makes certain comments that might seem insensitive to us but are not so between them. But at the same time, we will also witness the consequences of being the breadwinner, the transition from youth to following an already written and unguided path, and even emotional repression. And although we only know the protagonist's perspective on these issues, his companions are still part of the main cast as they go through similar situations, each in their own way.
Thus, I also want to highlight the great value of the characters portrayed in the book. They made it come alive. And their journeys, more than an adventure that displayed their manhood, became a yearly escape in which they would learn more and more about themselves and others. In this way, their first and last adventure marks the beginning and end of a journey in which each character has changed, demonstrating a perfect character arc.
If I had to say something negative, it would be that the narrator is made unclear during the whole work. And also, at times, there are scenes in it that could be considered sexist or not to everyone's liking (like praising a bullfight or discussing eating dog meat). Yet, these are more subjective issues that do not affect my rating but which I leave to the consideration of other readers.
For my part, my final rating for this book is 5 out of 5 stars. It is a very well-edited material with enjoyable adventures and a resource that challenges manhood without getting too dense about it. I recommend it mostly to readers who enjoy reading about adventures and travels and those who enjoy following emotional journeys.
******
Man Mission
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Man Mission, written by Eytan Uliel, follows the adventures of four friends (Eytan, Alec, Sam, and Daniel) who embark on an annual "Man Mission" trip. During this travel, they perform activities that test their limits (kayaking, hiking, or cycling, among others) that culminate with an exotic feast. In this way, throughout 15 chapters, we will go with them to different parts of the world and face surreal situations. For example, we will witness them riding with drug dealers in New Zealand to flee from the authorities in Japan. These settings are narrated in a simple and beautiful way that highlights each location and immerses us in their adventures.
However, we will not only witness the experiences and misadventures of this gang of friends but also their growth. In the first person, the main character will tell aspects of his daily life before his adventure in small segments throughout the chapter, which will complement the story. So, we will see his frustrations, fears, and desires when facing everyday issues such as finding a job, supporting a family, and dealing with responsibilities from a male perspective.
The latter was, to my surprise, my favorite part. When we talk about this aspect of masculinity, we tend to relate it to this series of outdoor activities, jokes, and even a more relaxed attitude toward life's issues proper of men. And it is true to a certain extent. Here, we find rules in which the whinier one must carry a pink bracelet and a friendship that makes certain comments that might seem insensitive to us but are not so between them. But at the same time, we will also witness the consequences of being the breadwinner, the transition from youth to following an already written and unguided path, and even emotional repression. And although we only know the protagonist's perspective on these issues, his companions are still part of the main cast as they go through similar situations, each in their own way.
Thus, I also want to highlight the great value of the characters portrayed in the book. They made it come alive. And their journeys, more than an adventure that displayed their manhood, became a yearly escape in which they would learn more and more about themselves and others. In this way, their first and last adventure marks the beginning and end of a journey in which each character has changed, demonstrating a perfect character arc.
If I had to say something negative, it would be that the narrator is made unclear during the whole work. And also, at times, there are scenes in it that could be considered sexist or not to everyone's liking (like praising a bullfight or discussing eating dog meat). Yet, these are more subjective issues that do not affect my rating but which I leave to the consideration of other readers.
For my part, my final rating for this book is 5 out of 5 stars. It is a very well-edited material with enjoyable adventures and a resource that challenges manhood without getting too dense about it. I recommend it mostly to readers who enjoy reading about adventures and travels and those who enjoy following emotional journeys.
******
Man Mission
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: The Maple Seed Helicopter by Marco Collina
