Review of Man Mission

[Faye Von Stein]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Man Mission" by Eytan Uliel.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Man Mission by Eytan Uliel is a beautifully written story about the friendship of four Australian college classmates and their annual experiential adventures. The first trip was developed by two of the friends who embarked on an ambitious hike in New Zealand – a long, intense, and disastrous hike on which they encountered many thrilling obstacles. Soon after, their trips with their mandate of pushing themselves beyond their physical limits and traveling under their own power, became an annual tradition. All trips focus on an epic adventure and involve hiking, cycling, and/or kayaking in some remote or exotic setting. This is in countries such as Iceland, Japan, South Africa, Vietnam, and eleven more exciting destinations.

In contrast to their annual travels, the story follows the four men’s regular lives as they venture into careers, marriage, and family life. We see them make significant life decisions and reflect on their individual experiences. Throughout the story, we are exposed to the narrator’s vulnerability and the choices that define him.

My favourite part of reading this book was the funny and addictive account of four ordinary men who manage to escape their daily lives every year. The yearly trip and their love of adventure help them bond, share their struggles, rehabilitate, and become better people in general. The characters are vivid and relatable, and the dialogue is witty and filled with macho banter, but also with raw honesty.

This lyrical read by Eytan Uliel perfectly captures what it feels like to explore – not just to take the most stunning photograph or tick off the top tourist sights, but also to engage with different people and cultures and to experience the wild, the untamed, and extreme discomfort.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. On the one hand, the book is fast-paced, quirky, and entertaining, but on the other, the book makes a very interesting point about not losing yourself in urban society but finding your roots through challenging situations and adventure. Only one minor error was noted in the book, so it was well-edited. Because of the profanity and sexual references, I would not recommend this book to a younger audience. However, it is indeed a must-read if you are an outdoor enthusiast, love to travel, or need to find your path in life.

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Man Mission
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