Official Review: Travels With Hafa by Nathan Pettijohn

HannahsReads · Post by **HannahsReads** » 21 Oct 2020, 11:02

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Travels With Hafa" by Nathan Pettijohn.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Travels With Hafa is a travel memoir by author Nathan Pettijohn. The travelogue describes a three-week trip across the western part of the United States. Written mostly in a chronological format that provides a day-by-day rendition of the journey, the memoir also expands on the author’s thoughts about dog training, life off-grid, and failed relationships.

My favorite part of this travel memoir was the author’s dog. The author obviously loves his dog and took great pains to ensure that the trip was comfortable for Hafa. Some of the most interesting descriptions about locations involve how much Hafa enjoyed those dog-friendly spots. I also liked the casual manner in which the author imparted useful dog-training tips throughout the narrative. Overall I found this book to be cleanly written and extremely well-edited.

The best travel writers I have read can edit their narratives into a story that relates some larger message or theme. I did not feel that this book achieved that level of writing. It is a daily log of activities that doesn’t impart a profound message, a new understanding of nature, or a personal growth story. It does include observations about parks and campgrounds; however, those interesting elements are offset by monotonous and unnecessary minutiae. There is a lot of repetition of phrases similar to “I took a shower, fed Hafa, and had a beer.” Legendary writer Elmore Leonard famously said that good writers should “leave out the parts that no one reads.” This travel book would be more compelling if the author took that advice to heart. I also thought that the book ended abruptly. I was left feeling that the author—aside from his obvious affection for his dog—has a depressing outlook on life, and returned to that disheartening loneliness after his trip. Perhaps this is a realistic cycle that many readers will relate to; however, my preference would have been to see something positive come from this journey.

The author himself describes his memoir as somewhat derivative of John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley; I would recommend Travels With Hafa to readers who enjoy Steinbeck. I would also recommend this book to anyone who wants to travel with a dog. Aside from a couple of uses of profanity in this book, there is no other material that would be offensive to sensitive readers.

I give this book a rating of 3 out of 4 stars; it is excellently edited but has a monotonous style. I found myself hoping for more vivid descriptions of the locations along the road trip to break up the prosaic rendition of the author’s days.

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Travels With Hafa
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Drianie · Post by **Drianie** » 29 Oct 2020, 02:53

I am someone who likes to gain something from reading a book, and it's a pity that this one falls short of achieving many of the aspects that make up a great reading experience. I love the idea behind this book, and hopefully, the author takes your advice to heart to make his writing even better in the future. Thanks for your honest review!

RHD · Post by **RHD** » 29 Oct 2020, 02:58

I would not mind a travel book. However, the fact that there's no major theme or message is worrying. Thanks for such a detailed review

Tablito · Post by **Tablito** » 29 Oct 2020, 03:08

Travelling with a dog can be tedious as was the case with Nathan; he had to ensure his dog was comfortable.

Vivian Umunakwe · Post by **Vivian Umunakwe** » 29 Oct 2020, 14:28

Travelling is a life long dream, one that is yet to be fulfilled by me. However, I'm not sure a dog has ever been part of that dream. Nonetheless, the author has tried to showcase how tedious that can be and I am not sure that path is for me.

HannahsReads · Post by **HannahsReads** » 02 Nov 2020, 15:05

Drianie wrote: ↑29 Oct 2020, 02:53 I am someone who likes to gain something from reading a book, and it's a pity that this one falls short of achieving many of the aspects that make up a great reading experience. I love the idea behind this book, and hopefully, the author takes your advice to heart to make his writing even better in the future. Thanks for your honest review!

You're welcome! Thanks for reading my review. There is definitely a lot of unrealized potential in this book like you said.

HannahsReads · Post by **HannahsReads** » 02 Nov 2020, 15:06

RHD wrote: ↑29 Oct 2020, 02:58 I would not mind a travel book. However, the fact that there's no major theme or message is worrying. Thanks for such a detailed review

Thank you for reading my review! I am sure some readers will enjoy this book just because of all he great dog-friendly elements. But overall I was disappointed.

HannahsReads · Post by **HannahsReads** » 02 Nov 2020, 15:10

Tablito wrote: ↑29 Oct 2020, 03:08 Travelling with a dog can be tedious as was the case with Nathan; he had to ensure his dog was comfortable.

Thanks for reading my review! You make a great point; I am sure traveling with a dog is challenging.

HannahsReads · Post by **HannahsReads** » 02 Nov 2020, 15:11

The_Vivian wrote: ↑29 Oct 2020, 14:28 Travelling is a life long dream, one that is yet to be fulfilled by me. However, I'm not sure a dog has ever been part of that dream. Nonetheless, the author has tried to showcase how tedious that can be and I am not sure that path is for me.

Thanks for reading my review! I love dogs myself, but I also have never tried to travel with one. I am sure it would be quite an experience like you said!