Litsy

The Broken Road: A Novel | Richard Paul Evans

so-so

Major caveat here: if I didn't have a vague idea of how this trilogy ended, I wouldn't be continuing to the next book. At the moment, I deem it worthwhile to continue, because I think having the full story told in this manner will add to the catharsis/emotional impact of the ending. But, from a 'single book' perspective, Evans has made a bold choice in making the entire work background for the narrative 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? that is hinted at continuing in the next book, in the prologue. You know how I feel about cliffhangers. There are multiple timelines, lead up to an important event, flashbacks, and backstory, but you're not only JUST getting the set up, you're getting ALL of the ways life has been shitty for this character. 6d

Robotswithpersonality 3/? When this was pitched to me, I thought my biggest issue would be the mistakes, the choices the main character has made and how they've affected other people, but as it turns out, those pale in comparison to all the horrible things that happened to this character growing up. What makes me so damn sad is how much of the experiences related mirror the life story of so many abused and disadvantaged people. 6d

Robotswithpersonality 4/? It just puts the idea of highlighting one character who found a second chance in a strange fairy tale, chosen one light that I think could be more mocking than escapist to those who've had to deal with real trauma and it's aftermath without that kind of luck. How close do the books as a whole come to the huckster self-help vibes of the sales seminar narrative, live your dreams, change your life, etc? 🤨 6d

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? I know this author is famous for Christmas books - do they also follow the 'I have wacked your thumb with a hammer (emotionally upsetting background) now here's a chocolate bar (happy/hopeful ending) now don't you feel grateful and joyful (the ache of endorphins and the thrill of sugar)' formula? 6d

Robotswithpersonality 6/? Skilled emotional manipulation is a cornerstone to a number of different kinds of narratives, but when the story really doesn't have more plot than just everything these people have gone through, it makes the message conveyed that much more crucial, and I worry that I will rate the latter books in this trilogy higher based on how they make me feel, (an accomplishment in itself) even if the story itself is...lacking. 6d

Robotswithpersonality 7/? By which I mean I'm looking for a message that isn't too tired and I'm not sure I've glimpsed it yet, and if you're going to spend nearly 300 pages making me sad, there really should be a damn good reason, beyond life lessons I figured out a decade ago. 6d

Robotswithpersonality 8/? I also admit to being on shaky ground with the amount of God/Bible references - it really does feel like those who are lapsed from a religion are in some ways closer to it or at least never fully separated - and the simple moralizing that always seems to follow in its wake. 6d

Robotswithpersonality 9/? Also feeling a little odd about proposed end goal of the trip - that's a lot of years to suddenly decide on a need to resolve that particular issue - I think a journey for personal growth/redemption/reflection/planning for a different future, without relying on absolution from a particular individual, might be a healthier mindset, but love makes you do the wacky. 🤷🏼‍♂️ 6d

Robotswithpersonality 10/? So given all that, why would I continue? Because a smart reader who recommended this to me started with the third book in the series and then went back, so I still have hopes for where the story goes. And since I read the first book first, why not read the second book, second? Thanks goodness the full trilogy is out, I'd lose my shit if I had to wait after this ending. 6d

Robotswithpersonality 11/11 P.S. I don't know if Evans shares the main character's Mexican heritage or OCD, but that rep is in here.
⚠️suicide, child abuse, racism, racist-based violence/hate crime, assault 6d

8 likes10 comments

Suet624

The Leisure Seeker: A Novel | Michael Zadoorian

pick

Many thanks to @bthegood for passing this book along to me. A simple and poignant story of an 80 year old dying of cancer hitting the road with her husband who has dementia. The wit and snark of Ella was perfect and her care alongside her occasional anger toward her husband felt spot on. Being older myself I could empathize with her review of her life. Happy to pass this book along to anyone, as it too is a traveler.

bthegood so glad you enjoyed it - 🙂 It has traveled from @BkClubCare to @bthegood to @Suet624 to whoever is next 🌞 (edited) 9mo

45 likes1 comment

bthegood

The Leisure Seeker: A Novel | Michael Zadoorian

1. Yes - not well but I can do it if I have to 😅
2. Tagged book - one of my favorite reads last year - thanks to @BkClubCare for passing it on to me 🙂

#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

Make a great day everyone ❄️

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 13mo

BkClubCare Aw, thanks!! 13mo

bthegood @TheSpineView 💕 13mo

bthegood @BkClubCare 💕 13mo

29 likes4 comments

CoffeeNBooks

The Leisure Seeker: A Novel | Michael Zadoorian

This bittersweet story is about a couple in their 80s who go on one last roadtrip. Ella has cancer, and is tired of all of the doctors appointments, treatments, and medications. Her husband John has Alzheimers. Despite everyone telling them not to, they pack up their Leisure Seeker camper and drive what remains of Route 66, all the way to the end. While they travel, Ella thinks about life and the vacations they took over the years with their kids.

CoffeeNBooks #12Booksof2023 @Andrew65 13mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm This one sounds like I‘ll need a large box of Kleenex nearby. 13mo

CoffeeNBooks @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm Yes, definitely! 13mo

Andrew65 This sounds like must reading. 13mo

53 likes3 stack adds4 comments

bthegood

The Leisure Seeker: A Novel | Michael Zadoorian

#Two4Tuesday
Thanks for the tag @TheSpineView -

The tagged book was my favorite September (and maybe for the year) -
Looking forward to #Scarathlon ( yay for #TeamWhoYaGonnaCall ) and all things Halloween!!

Make a great day everyone - 🎃

TheSpineView You're welcome and thanks for playing! 1y

29 likes1 comment

bthegood

The Leisure Seeker: A Novel | Michael Zadoorian

pick

Perfectly written story about John (early onset dementia) and Ella (cancer) who have been married over 60 years. Ella decides they need to take one last trip in their camper -cross country, on route 66, to Disneyland. It's a story that reflects on life's purpose, loss and love.
I am passing this on to the first Litsy that responds - as @BkClubCare passed it on to me (thank you - loved this book) -
#BookSpinBingo
Make a great day eveyrone 🍂

BkClubCare I believe this book will be one that I think of fondly for many years. What an ending! 🤗 1y

Suet624 Well, I‘m game! Sounds like a great book. 1y

bthegood @BkClubCare did not see that ending coming, but loved it - thank you again for sharing - now I'm going to pass it on - 🙂 1y

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bthegood @Suet624 great send me your address - my email is marymegerle@gmail.com I'll send it to you - I hope you enjoy it 🙂 1y

bthegood @Suet624 I did not receive an email - did you send me your address? I'd be happy to send you this book - marymegerle@gmail.com - have a good day - 1y

Suet624 @bthegood oh, yes, I sent it 2 days ago. I wonder if it‘s in your spam. I‘ll send it right now. If you don‘t get it, I‘ll just post it on Litsy. 1y

bthegood @Suet624 it is not coming through (not in spam or regular email) - post your email and I will direct message you and then you can reply with your address - thank you - (edited) 1y

Suet624 How strange! Suet624 at gmail 1y

bthegood @Suet624 just sent an email - 1y

41 likes9 comments

bthegood

The Leisure Seeker: A Novel | Michael Zadoorian

My TBR list for #Scarathlon - #TeamWhoYaGonnaCall
@FlynnDewey @MartinaLove @Lizpixie @Airykah13 @SomedayAlmost @Fortifiedbybooks @MsRadioSilence @ChaoticMissAdventures @AsYouWish

Make a great day everyone 👻

FlynnDewey "The Bones of the Story" is a fantastic title. 1y

bthegood @FlynnDewey yes, we'll see if it's a fantastic story - 😉 1y

36 likes2 comments

bthegood

The Leisure Seeker: A Novel | Michael Zadoorian

*source Google ( Facebook page of family fun ice cream parlor )

Make a great day everyone 🙂

MissyD 🤣 1y

dabbe 🤣🤣🤣 1y

30 likes2 comments

bthegood

The Leisure Seeker: A Novel | Michael Zadoorian

Working on this #BookSpinBingo - just realized we are 10 days into September!! Enjoying each book, loving tagged book (thank you again @BkClubCare for sending it to me)

Make a great day everyone🍂

BkClubCare Yay!! ❤️ 📚 📫 🌟 1y

34 likes1 comment

bthegood

The Leisure Seeker: A Novel | Michael Zadoorian

I read a lot of books that start with “The“ - may have to be more intentional on titles OR just carry the #AlphabeticalBingo ( @Clwojick ) into next year - ok - option 2 it is 😂!

Make a great day everyone 🍂

wanderinglynn Since “the”, “a”, and “an” are articles used to refer to a specific noun, I‘d ignore the article and look at the first noun after “the”. 😉 1y

bthegood @wanderinglynn 🙂 1y

28 likes2 comments

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