Review of Man Mission
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Sable Pratt
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Review of Man Mission
[Following is a volunteer review of "Man Mission" by Eytan Uliel.]
As Stephen King says in On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, "Books are a uniquely portable magic." This statement rings true for Man Mission as Etyan Uliel enraptures us with vivid descriptions of the daring travels he and his three friends engage in over the course of fifteen years. The Man Mission Charter consists of rules that underscore their masculinities as they engage in tough, macho adventures; but will they be manly enough to face the fear, anxiety, and sense of unfulfillment that threatens to bring their real lives to a tumbling halt?
The author and his friend Sam take an impromptu hiking trip to a deserted trail in New Zealand, hence launching a series of planned 'Man Missions' with their other two friends Daniel and Alec. Paced with both humorous and dangerous twists that challenge their meaning of what makes a man, the author narrates his and his friends' excursions to exotic destinations like Japan, Australia, Fiji, Thailand, South Africa, Korea, and Iceland. The author interweaves these adventurous pursuits with their day-to-day personal endeavors like starting families, establishing careers, and living up to the responsibilities expected of men by the society.
In a narration that artfully blends action-packed scenes and emotionally charged confessions, the author portrays a genuine perspective on what it means to be a man. His perception of a 'real man' as one who stands up to his responsibilities and ensures his family's happiness has confined him to a job he's not passionate about and to a marriage that is slowly falling apart. His sense of unfulfillment is tempered by participating in the annual 'Man Mission' with his best mates; the time during which he completes a feat to rejuvenate his sense of achievement and the energy he needs to carry on with his less enthusiastic, normal life. But a man can only endure for so long. How will the author balance social expectations with his growing desire to make more out of his life? How will this redefine his understanding of what makes a man?
I loved how the author begins every chapter with a hook that gives a glimpse of what will happen later in the chapter. This technique builds suspense and keeps the reader anxious to discover how an adventure would unfold. I also enjoyed the easy flow as I read from the adrenaline-fueled 'Man Missions' to the tense, restrictive personal experiences and back. How the author and his friends interact with their families contrasts greatly from how they interact among each other, and such character differentiation adds to the depth and authenticity of the characters.
The author's description of the exotic destinations they visit is so vivid and engaging. The sublime scenery in South Africa, the quaint, historic center in Reykjavik, the beautiful Spanish wilderness, and the open Australian landscape are just but a taste of the overall beauty the author captures with his words. Aside from the scenery, Mr. Uliel introduced me to Japanese cuisine, Fijian kava juice, and the Taiwanese snacks. He and his friends also engage in the foreign local culture of the small towns they wind up in, like cheering on as they watch a bullfight with other bar patrons in Spain.
The 'Man Missions' described in this book are not just annual breaks from the hectic, confining Iives of four friends. They are also therapeutic journeys for men who have taken too many blows from life but don't know how to express their pain. The bike rides from the mountaintop to the coast give them a chance to be free and spontaneous, even if they can't afford such freedom back home. The people they meet along the way motivate them to be better, to love more, and to live fully. I admired the author's courage to acknowledge his mistakes and flaws, and I cheered him on as he slowly picked up the pieces and moved on with his life.
I didn't find any faults with this book. The author beautifully portrays the fragile nature of marriage, and he advocates for couples to openly communicate with each other and to constantly work hard on their relationship. This book is professionally edited, as I only came across one minor error in the entire text. The dialogue is engaging and revealing of the characters' attitudes, moods, and conflicts. Therefore, I rate Man Mission four out of four stars.
I recommend this book to mature readers who would enjoy a funny, sensational novel accounting exotic adventures and the ups and downs of marriage life. Due to the use of explicit language, I advise it against children or readers who are uncomfortable with such language. But if you'd like to cycle through scenic locations with four deeply flawed men, grab a helmet!
******
Man Mission
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
As Stephen King says in On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, "Books are a uniquely portable magic." This statement rings true for Man Mission as Etyan Uliel enraptures us with vivid descriptions of the daring travels he and his three friends engage in over the course of fifteen years. The Man Mission Charter consists of rules that underscore their masculinities as they engage in tough, macho adventures; but will they be manly enough to face the fear, anxiety, and sense of unfulfillment that threatens to bring their real lives to a tumbling halt?
The author and his friend Sam take an impromptu hiking trip to a deserted trail in New Zealand, hence launching a series of planned 'Man Missions' with their other two friends Daniel and Alec. Paced with both humorous and dangerous twists that challenge their meaning of what makes a man, the author narrates his and his friends' excursions to exotic destinations like Japan, Australia, Fiji, Thailand, South Africa, Korea, and Iceland. The author interweaves these adventurous pursuits with their day-to-day personal endeavors like starting families, establishing careers, and living up to the responsibilities expected of men by the society.
In a narration that artfully blends action-packed scenes and emotionally charged confessions, the author portrays a genuine perspective on what it means to be a man. His perception of a 'real man' as one who stands up to his responsibilities and ensures his family's happiness has confined him to a job he's not passionate about and to a marriage that is slowly falling apart. His sense of unfulfillment is tempered by participating in the annual 'Man Mission' with his best mates; the time during which he completes a feat to rejuvenate his sense of achievement and the energy he needs to carry on with his less enthusiastic, normal life. But a man can only endure for so long. How will the author balance social expectations with his growing desire to make more out of his life? How will this redefine his understanding of what makes a man?
I loved how the author begins every chapter with a hook that gives a glimpse of what will happen later in the chapter. This technique builds suspense and keeps the reader anxious to discover how an adventure would unfold. I also enjoyed the easy flow as I read from the adrenaline-fueled 'Man Missions' to the tense, restrictive personal experiences and back. How the author and his friends interact with their families contrasts greatly from how they interact among each other, and such character differentiation adds to the depth and authenticity of the characters.
The author's description of the exotic destinations they visit is so vivid and engaging. The sublime scenery in South Africa, the quaint, historic center in Reykjavik, the beautiful Spanish wilderness, and the open Australian landscape are just but a taste of the overall beauty the author captures with his words. Aside from the scenery, Mr. Uliel introduced me to Japanese cuisine, Fijian kava juice, and the Taiwanese snacks. He and his friends also engage in the foreign local culture of the small towns they wind up in, like cheering on as they watch a bullfight with other bar patrons in Spain.
The 'Man Missions' described in this book are not just annual breaks from the hectic, confining Iives of four friends. They are also therapeutic journeys for men who have taken too many blows from life but don't know how to express their pain. The bike rides from the mountaintop to the coast give them a chance to be free and spontaneous, even if they can't afford such freedom back home. The people they meet along the way motivate them to be better, to love more, and to live fully. I admired the author's courage to acknowledge his mistakes and flaws, and I cheered him on as he slowly picked up the pieces and moved on with his life.
I didn't find any faults with this book. The author beautifully portrays the fragile nature of marriage, and he advocates for couples to openly communicate with each other and to constantly work hard on their relationship. This book is professionally edited, as I only came across one minor error in the entire text. The dialogue is engaging and revealing of the characters' attitudes, moods, and conflicts. Therefore, I rate Man Mission four out of four stars.
I recommend this book to mature readers who would enjoy a funny, sensational novel accounting exotic adventures and the ups and downs of marriage life. Due to the use of explicit language, I advise it against children or readers who are uncomfortable with such language. But if you'd like to cycle through scenic locations with four deeply flawed men, grab a helmet!
******
Man Mission
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Randy the Irresistible by S M Goodier
