2 out of 4 stars
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Two elderly gentlemen, Bill and Allen, decide to go on a road trip across America. Bill and Allen are old friends who have lost their wives through divorce and bereavement respectively. They set off together in a camper van, with no particular destination in mind. Visiting many famous locations on their travels, such as the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore and Niagara Falls, the two friends create adventures out of simple occurrences. In a glacier park in Montana, for example, their camper van is charged by a buffalo. In San Francisco, they meet Johnny Depp having a morning coffee. As they travel around the country, they share memories of their youth and ponder the meaning of life. When they return home, they are changed by their experiences on the road.
Friends by Gary Hope presents a gentle meander across America, through the eyes of two friends. This book reminds me of my own road trip across the country many years ago; the author does a good job of conveying the liberating impact of travelling, and the sheer bliss of having no commitments. I know this because, as I was reading the book, I wanted to join Bill and Allen on their trip.
The strength of this book lies in the description of shared experiences between two companions. I like, for example, how Bill and Allen find pleasure in competing to throw pebbles in rivers as they proceed around the country. It is true that this kind of simple experience can be as memorable as any landmark visited. I also empathise with their disappointment when souvenir shops seem to be given more prominence than monuments. In a similar vein, I like how the souvenirs that they do treasure relate more to their personal experiences rather than to the places they visited - for example, a mounted salmon that was received as a memento of a fishing trip. On their last night on the road, Bill and Allen reminisce about their favourite experiences of the trip; this is a moment I recognise from my own travels.
The affection between the two friends is gladdening. The author makes a virtue of the banality of their conversations. For example, Bill and Allen discuss why Route 17 only stretches for 13 kilometres. The wryness of the dialogue made me smile, if not laugh.
This is one of the few times that I have truly struggled to choose a rating. I warmed to the characters and I enjoyed reading about their travels. Unfortunately, I am afraid that the writing is a little too simplistic and the dialogue a tad too mundane. As a result, I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. This book will appeal to those who enjoy simple stories about companionship. People who love to travel, as well as those who enjoy travel stories, will also find the book diverting.
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Friends
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