Review of Man Mission

[Saseni Nimanda]

[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 an evocative piece of fiction written from Eytan's perspective as he embarks on adventures around the world with his friends. The novel begins with Eytan making a new friend named Sam in college and planning annual trips to exotic locations together. Fast forward a few years, and Sam and Eytan, now working as junior lawyers, impulsively decide to go hiking in New Zealand, marking the first episode of their "Man Mission" adventures. As the story unfolds, Eytan's childhood friends, Daniel and Alec, also join the group, and each year they embark on a week-long wild adventure in a different exotic location.

We follow Eytan and his gang as they go kayaking in Australia, sailing in Thailand, biking in Japan, and engaging in various other crazy adventures that come with hilarious side effects like fallen toenails and bouillabaisse-induced diarrhea. Throughout this long-standing tradition spanning over one and a half decades, we witness personal growth and transformation among the four friends. They become husbands and fathers, experience career success and sudden loss, navigate midlife crises, and find the courage to shed societal expectations and embrace vulnerability, staying true to themselves. The book also explores how relationships evolve over time.

This was an incredibly entertaining read that had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions. The vivid descriptions of the places they traveled to were outstanding, immersing me in their experiences. The only slight drawback was that each chapter jumped back and forth in time, which could be a bit jarring to read. Nevertheless, it was refreshing to see men express vulnerability and emotions in a book filled with otherwise macho escapades. Eytan's thoughts occasionally wandered, and he came across as a selfish jerk at times, but I appreciated the way the story concluded.

Overall, I rate Man Mission 5 out of 5. The book was impeccably edited, and Eytan Uliel's talent as an author is undeniable. This book was thought-provoking and remained thoroughly captivating from start to finish. I eagerly anticipate reading more books by this remarkable author. However, because profanity is used liberally throughout the novel, I would only recommend it to a mature audience.

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Man Mission
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