The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian
>> Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Genre: Fiction
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 272
Challenges: Support Your Local Library Challenge #14
A few years ago I read Michael Zadoorian’s first novel (Second Hand) because I needed a Z author for an A to Z reading challenge. It was funny, sad, quirky, and unique and a book I enjoyed. So recently when I heard he had a new novel out, I was able to get on the library waiting list early.
Ella and John Robina are a couple of octogenarians who have run away from their kids and their doctors for one last vacation together. They pack up their small RV (The Leisure Seeker) and leave their home in suburban Detroit headed for the Pacific Ocean and Disneyland via Route 66. The trip is complicated by the fact that Ella has cancer and John has Alzheimer’s. He can still drive and she can manage the navigating so they still make a good team even though part of the time he can’t remember her name. Ella narrates the story with a sharp sense of humor.
The love between these two is clear as is the mutual frustration and even anger caused by the roadblocks of their illnesses. The story follows them and the road to what feels like an inevitable conclusion and along the way are moments that are sad, funny, ironic, heartwarming and even tragic.
Zadoorian has once again written a book I enjoyed but have a hard time pinning down. It hits many emotions and is a bit odd and quirky along the way. I’ll be looking forward to his next book.
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 272
Challenges: Support Your Local Library Challenge #14
A few years ago I read Michael Zadoorian’s first novel (Second Hand) because I needed a Z author for an A to Z reading challenge. It was funny, sad, quirky, and unique and a book I enjoyed. So recently when I heard he had a new novel out, I was able to get on the library waiting list early.
Ella and John Robina are a couple of octogenarians who have run away from their kids and their doctors for one last vacation together. They pack up their small RV (The Leisure Seeker) and leave their home in suburban Detroit headed for the Pacific Ocean and Disneyland via Route 66. The trip is complicated by the fact that Ella has cancer and John has Alzheimer’s. He can still drive and she can manage the navigating so they still make a good team even though part of the time he can’t remember her name. Ella narrates the story with a sharp sense of humor.
Along the way they spend many evenings watching their own history by aiming their slide projector at a sheet pinned up on the side of the RV. The journey is not without it’s perils, but along the way the reader along with Ella and John remember their long marriage as well as some of the history of the famous Route 66.You yourself might ask: Is this the best idea? Two down-on-their-luck geezers, one with more heath problems than a third world country, the other so senile that he doesn’t know what day it is – taking a cross-country road trip:
Don’t be stupid. Of course it’s not a good idea.
The love between these two is clear as is the mutual frustration and even anger caused by the roadblocks of their illnesses. The story follows them and the road to what feels like an inevitable conclusion and along the way are moments that are sad, funny, ironic, heartwarming and even tragic.
Zadoorian has once again written a book I enjoyed but have a hard time pinning down. It hits many emotions and is a bit odd and quirky along the way. I’ll be looking forward to his next book.
No stars – I couldn’t even finish it
1 star – I didn’t like it but I managed to finish it.
2 stars – It was OK. Not good, but seriously just OK.
3 stars - I liked it. I didn’t think it was great, but I thought it was good entertainment.
4 stars – I really liked it. I really think you might like it too.
5 stars – It was amazing. I’d recommend this to just about anyone.
5 comments:
Great Review! I am adding this one to my TBR. Thanks1
I can see DH and I doing exactly this one day.
I think I have to read this book.
My dad dreams of doing something similar once my mother retires. :-) This sounds like an author I need to check out. Thanks for the great review.
Amy: I really have enjoyed both of his books. They're hard to categorize, though.
Vickie: Oh I could see you doing this too.
Literary Feline: Zadoorians books are definitely the kind that touch a mixture of emotions - funny and sad all at the same time.
Isn't it funny how those A-Z challenges can lead to really fun books?! :)
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