Review of Man Mission
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Rajnee Varma
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Review of Man Mission
[Following is a volunteer review of "Man Mission" by Eytan Uliel.]
Written in the first person, Man Mission by Eytan Uliel is a story that takes the reader to explore places and enjoy fifteen adventure trips with the protagonist and his friends. They start with hiking in New Zealand, and each year they choose a different destination and a different outdoor activity, including biking, kayaking, cycling, trekking, and even ice climbing. Lastly, they visit Iceland and see the Northern Lights before returning home. Meanwhile, the narrator also tells the story of the four friends and their personal lives—their transformation from carefree bachelors to successful middle-aged married men. The story includes their love life, marriage, and children, as well as their responsibilities and their responses to the challenges they face.
The author, himself a global traveler, has described the expeditions very beautifully and in detail. The elegance of the novel lies in the writing style. The author has combined in parallel two different narratives, namely the adventures of the characters and their personal lives, each of which could make a novel in itself. While describing the adventure of each trip, the narrator also reminisces and laments over the events that took place the previous year. On the surface, the novel appears to be a story of the adventure trips, but in reality, it portrays a man’s perspective of life and the responsibilities of being a provider to his family while his own physical and emotional needs are pushed into the background. It makes the reader realize why and how marriages break up and the emotional turmoil and guilt that follow, affecting the physical as well as the emotional well-being of a man. The story shows how an externally tough man feels vulnerable, but his male ego deters him from confessing and confiding. Furthermore, it beautifully describes a man’s struggle to establish and maintain a macho image, despite the physical or emotional suffering he may have to endure. It also emphasizes the need for an understanding spouse, a supportive family, and reliable friends.
However, except for a short paragraph of the narrator’s mother’s dialogue, the novel completely neglects the outlook of women, especially about marriage. While the men enjoy a break every year from their work and family, the women have no respite and are stuck with the responsibilities of their family and children. The book also contains severe expletives and some very intimate discussions, although not unusual among friends in a men-only group.
I found it difficult to decide which was more interesting: the personal life of the protagonist or the accounts of traveling. The book makes an excellent read and offers good entertainment. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
I would recommend it to mature adults, men and women alike, who like to read about outdoor sports and adventure. Men would identify with the characters, and women would have a clear understanding of what goes on inside a man’s mind. However, I would not recommend it to young readers below the age of eighteen due to its mature content.
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Man Mission
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Written in the first person, Man Mission by Eytan Uliel is a story that takes the reader to explore places and enjoy fifteen adventure trips with the protagonist and his friends. They start with hiking in New Zealand, and each year they choose a different destination and a different outdoor activity, including biking, kayaking, cycling, trekking, and even ice climbing. Lastly, they visit Iceland and see the Northern Lights before returning home. Meanwhile, the narrator also tells the story of the four friends and their personal lives—their transformation from carefree bachelors to successful middle-aged married men. The story includes their love life, marriage, and children, as well as their responsibilities and their responses to the challenges they face.
The author, himself a global traveler, has described the expeditions very beautifully and in detail. The elegance of the novel lies in the writing style. The author has combined in parallel two different narratives, namely the adventures of the characters and their personal lives, each of which could make a novel in itself. While describing the adventure of each trip, the narrator also reminisces and laments over the events that took place the previous year. On the surface, the novel appears to be a story of the adventure trips, but in reality, it portrays a man’s perspective of life and the responsibilities of being a provider to his family while his own physical and emotional needs are pushed into the background. It makes the reader realize why and how marriages break up and the emotional turmoil and guilt that follow, affecting the physical as well as the emotional well-being of a man. The story shows how an externally tough man feels vulnerable, but his male ego deters him from confessing and confiding. Furthermore, it beautifully describes a man’s struggle to establish and maintain a macho image, despite the physical or emotional suffering he may have to endure. It also emphasizes the need for an understanding spouse, a supportive family, and reliable friends.
However, except for a short paragraph of the narrator’s mother’s dialogue, the novel completely neglects the outlook of women, especially about marriage. While the men enjoy a break every year from their work and family, the women have no respite and are stuck with the responsibilities of their family and children. The book also contains severe expletives and some very intimate discussions, although not unusual among friends in a men-only group.
I found it difficult to decide which was more interesting: the personal life of the protagonist or the accounts of traveling. The book makes an excellent read and offers good entertainment. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
I would recommend it to mature adults, men and women alike, who like to read about outdoor sports and adventure. Men would identify with the characters, and women would have a clear understanding of what goes on inside a man’s mind. However, I would not recommend it to young readers below the age of eighteen due to its mature content.
******
Man Mission
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Inside Passage: by Burt Weissbourd
