The Drifters [Hardcover]

James A. Michener (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 12, 1971

In his triumphant best seller, James Michener unfolds a powerful and poignant drama of six young runaways adrift in a world they have created out of dreams, drugs, and dedication to pleasure. With the sure touch of a master, Michener pulls us into the dark center of their private world, whether it's in Spain, Marrakech, or Mozambique, and exposes the naked nerve ends with shocking candor and infinite compassion.
"A superior, picaresque novel...and a revealing mirror held up to contemporary society."
JOHN BARKHAM REVIEWS

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

In his triumphant best seller, James Michener unfolds a powerful and poignant drama of six young runaways adrift in a world they have created out of dreams, drugs, and dedication to pleasure. With the sure touch of a master, Michener pulls us into the dark center of their private world, whether it's in Spain, Marrakech, or Mozambique, and exposes the naked nerve ends with shocking candor and infinite compassion.
"A superior, picaresque novel...and a revealing mirror held up to contemporary society."
JOHN BARKHAM REVIEWS --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 751 pages
• Publisher: Random House; 1 edition (April 12, 1971)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394462009
• ISBN-13: 978-0394462004
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #883,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seek Your Dreams, March 18, 2002

By 

Joseph J. Walker "milgage" (Grosse Pointe Farms, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Drifters (Hardcover)

This book changed my life. In 1986 I actually followed the characters travels through Europe. The goal of the trip was to find the Alamo bar in Torremolinos, Spain. Even though no one had heard of such a bar and it was not listed in any business or telephone directory I did what the characters did-I wandered through the city.

At the end of a small alley was a hand scrawled sign that read "Alamo Bar". I followed the arrow and came to a tiny hole in the wall bar that had an upside down horseshoe over the door and a sign that said "Alamo Bar, open 8 til late". It seems that the people who ran the Alamo moved into a larger bar called the Stagecoach. According to the bartender, I was the second person who had found them because of the book. The other guy was from Poland and actually kissed the floor when he arrived. My copy of the book is still behind the bar waiting for the third visitor.

Five years later I met a woman who had just come back from Europe and I asked her where she visited. She replied "Have you ever heard of a book called "The Drifters"? A year and a half later she became my wife.

Read this book at the risk of changing your life too.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a classic, January 31, 2003

By 

Garrett Riley (Valencia, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Drifters (Mass Market Paperback)

The Drifters is thought provoking and entertaining. If you are older you will feel nogstaltic for your younger days.

The first half of the book sets up the stories on all the main characters who are all very interesting. We see what drove them to wind up in Spain in the resort town of Torremolinos. Once everyone is situated, we follow the group throughout their journeys to Pamplona, Southern Africa, Morroco, and Portugal.

James Michener, who wrote this when he was about 60 or so, shows that he has a great understanding of the youth culture. Even though this takes place over 30 years ago, it did not seem dated as Michener captured youth's universal characteristics.

My advice to anyone who is travelling around Europe, order this book right now and take it with you in your backpack!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One ticket to Torremolinos please!, March 17, 2006

By 

Lauren Aguilar "elementary school teacher" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Drifters (Mass Market Paperback)

I am 21 years old, obviously far removed from the generation of the characters in this book. Even though it reads as dated at times, the themes are still relevant. The whole time reading it, one should stop to compare the issues of that era, the late 60's early 70's, to issues of today. The war, the situation in Israel, race relations in America. To see what these young people predicted and how they thought things should be and to see now how things are now, is fascinating. To see how things have changed or stayed the same. Despite the far out coincidences which hold the plot together & keep it moving, the act of travel and finding yourself overpowers any convenient plot twists.

I was upset to finish the book. I wanted to keep reading about these characters for as long as possible! My only gripe is the ending, it seemed too rushed. Other than that, essentially, if you have one ounce of wanderlust in your heart, you will enjoy this book.