Customer Reviews

The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa

5 star:		(87)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a longtime Rush fan, musician, writer, traveler and fledgling cyclist, I was interested in reading Neal Peart's first published novel. The transition from lyricist to prose writer can be difficult, but Peart does an excellent job. Before reading the book, I already had respect for the man, a rock and roll drummer, for going on a cycling tour in eastern Africa. I would respect anyone for undertaking such a trip, and after reading the book, I respect him even more.

Peart's language is conversational throughout most of the book, as if he's relating the events over a drink at a pub. Many of his insights probed much deeper when he explored the culture of the people of Africa in general and Cameroon in particular, offering comparisons to a previous journey he had made to west Africa.

We see the landscape through the writer's eyes as he cycles up hills and navigates dirt roads, rocks, gun-toting guards at checkpoints and the sometimes rewarding vantage points. Each village or stopping point is described and I felt as if I was part of the journey.

In addition to the daily travels, we get Mr. Peart's reactions and thoughts to people that he encountered on his travels. He does not try to gloss over personalities with stereotypes, but tries to present things as they are. Yes, the country and continent has been exploited, but there is a strong victim mentality and Peart points out that Africans themselves participated in the slave trade. All the problems of Africa did not originate from outside the country.

Yet there are also great moments of kindness experienced. The woman who says "you are welcome," the smiles from young children, or the family sharing its simple food with their guests. I found the visits to the various missions particularly interesting, and the affect upon the writer of the nuns singing vespers is moving.

Mr. Peart also writes about his relationships with the other four members of his group. David is their guide from Seattle, struggling to keep a good face while helping the slowest member of the group. Elsa, a sixty-year old woman with facile new age sensibilities and a sour disposition, is the cancer of the group, constantly falling behind and complaining about everything. Leonard is the stalwart Viet Nam veteran who remains an anchor throughout the book. Annie is a twenty-something needy type who has a "good heart" but is not very thoughtful or considerate.

There were several clashes amongst these personalities, and I appreciated Mr. Peart's knowledge of his own shortcomings and self-analysis. I would have liked to have seen a little more reaction of the other's toward him, but that is sometimes hard to capture or catalog unless one has a confidante within a group. The author did not have this, and the book ends with some loose ends among the different riders, or maybe they were just ready to get away from each other.

Perhaps the most powerful thing about the book is the strong emotional arc experienced by the author, probably unexpected when he set out on his journey. He begins with idealism intact, but after bouts of dysentary, an encounter with a drunken soldier armed with a gun, and an offical that tries to make off with his (and David's) passport, he truly undergoes some changes. There is a shift in attitude, but also a new appreciation of things taken for granted in developed countries. By the penultimate chapter, I felt just as tired and sweaty, bruised and bloody, bitten and beaten and just plain exhausted as the writer. The final chapter, his arrival in Paris to see his wife and get back to civilization, strikes quite a contract with his previous experience.

If I had to make a criticism, it would be that some parts were kind of soap box preachy, although I tended to agree with many of his views.

I'm looking forward to reading his next book, "Ghost Rider."

I've never read a travelogue before, and doubt I will again. Nevertheless, I had to buy Neil Peart's book, since it was Neil Peart, after all.

What makes this a good read is not the "story" itself; the events are mundane despite being transplanted to Africa. The characters involved are interesting, but not fascinating. Rather, it is Peart's style and his unique perspective that bring the same value to this work that his lyrics bring to Rush's music.

I attest that you could take Neil Peart and sit him down in a Barber shop for six hours, tell him to write it up, and you would have a fascinating new book to sell.

There are a couple of standout moments, however. I agree with other reviewers that his description of meeting his wife in Paris is moving, and he conveys the emotional weight of the moment (even a priori if you don't know much about his recent tragedies). The whole scene reminds me of John Barth's TKTTTITT (which I won't spoil for you - go read The Tidewater Tales!). The genius in Peart is that he conveys, with a fairly minor story of taking a bike ride in Africa, the deep-seated impact of experience-as-reward, the point-of-the-journey-is-the-journey, and simultaneously validates Victor Hugo's statement "the answer of he who knows everything is the same as the answer of he who knows nothing: because."

The second moment of impact that I will cite is his near-transcendance at the African convent. It saddens me to no end to reflect on this moment and on Peart's ultimate rejection.

Overall, a satisfying book from an eloquent and prolific mind. A book with much more depth than you might at first realize.

I am almost done with this book, but I'm very anxious to offer my opinion on it. The "Masked Rider" flows much like a long bike ride. Peart's finely crafted narrative has the quality of a personal diary. His honest depiction of the people of Africa and the members of his own small "team" of cyclists is admirable and, at times, humorous. Peart shares his thoughts on religion, philosophy, art, and humanity while pushing his bike up the nastiest of hot, dusty roads across Cameroon and other parts of western Africa. I can't say the book instills a strong desire to attempt such an arduous tour, but it does succeed in offering many memorable descriptions of African landscapes and people. Peart questions himself on a variety of moral issues, and these "inner conversations" make for some very absorbing reading. I'm sure I will revisit this book from time to time when I feel the need to travel down the road less traveled.

This book is the best "travel book" I have ever read. It is true reading joy to live vicariously through Mr. Peart's adventures while bicycling through Africa. He is a brilliant observer of human behavior, personal interactions and cultural differences. Combine this skill with his obvious mastery of prose and you end up with the unforgettable experience of reading, "The Masked Rider." Regardless of whether you are a Rush fan you will undoubtedly enjoy this book if you like great writing and the sense of "being there" as the story unfolds. Critics of Rush often point out that Mr. Peart can sometimes be "difficult" or is lacking "people skills." I have read several passages from Mr. Peart, on various Web pages, that summarize his take on such opinions: he never wanted to become famous, all he wanted was to play the drums the best he could and perfect his craft and style in percussion. He is a free-thinker, intelligent, articulate, creative and exceptionally talented as a drummer/percussionist and a writer. He doesn't try to be everybody's best friend nor does he bend to expected modes of behavior in certain situations. He is his own man. Read this book and you will gain keen insight into a remarkable person. And bicycle through Cameroon along the way!

Excellent. If you like travel-log type books, be sure to pick this up. However, let us not pretend that Neil Peart just "happens" to be the author - he is why 90% of us will read it. But I warn my fellow Peart fans: This is not a book about being a rock star in Africa, nor will you get any juicy inside information on Neil's private life (at least not much). Nowhere in the book does he mention Geddy or Alex (directly). I beleive he mentions "being on tour" maybe once. This book is much more powerful than a gathering of rock-n-roll factoids. If you want to read about Rush, pick up your tour books. If you want to know about Neil's private life... here's all the book has to offer -- He likes chocalate, he likes cars, he likes smoking but doesn't smoke, he likes rice with junk on it, he'll drink warm orange soda if he has to, he enjoys the sight of smiling kids, he likes booze. If you want cheezy Peart trivia, skip this book. If you want to glimpse into Neil's head, buy it.

I picked it up... and was resentful evreytime I had to put it down to work or sleep or eat. I couldn't read it fast enough. Right from the beginning I was caught up in the story of Neil's journey through Cameroon in West Africa. His writing makes the journey come alive. I felt as if I were there with him experiencing personally all the ups and downs, the joys and difficulties of his month-long trek by bicycle.

What was more impressive, was the depth of insight I received about my favorite drummer in my favorite band. I can see more clearly where so many of his themes come from. I was deeply touched by his feelings for his wife and daughter whom he recently lost under such sad circumstances.

It has always been hard as a fan to feel "close" to any members of the band. I certainly respect their rights to privacy and I dont' feel they owe me anything. I am grateful for the joy that their work brings me. At the same time, to read this book made me feel closer to Neil Peart, the guy. Yeah, he's the drummer for Rush. But he's a guy that likes to have a few drinks, who loves his family, who likes to travel and meet people. He has come more alive to me through his writing.

I was very impressed by the journey, the detail, and the passion that Neil puts into his work. Reading this book now gives me new and greater insight to the vast collection of lyrics. I will read them and listen to the songs with a new eye and ear. I happily recommend this book to all Rush fans as a wonderful reading experience and a way to feel closer to the heart of the greatest drummer of the greatest band ever, Neil Peart of Rush!.

Like many other readers of this book, I too am a devoted fan of Rush, and of Neil Peart, whose tremendous skill on drums is matched by no one I've heard of. As the band's lyricist, he has written some of the most incredible, creative, beautiful, and powerful prose I have read. One might apply the term genius. I do not apply that term to Neil Peart, especially after reading this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to all Rush fans. I was amazed at the accomplishment of cycling through Cameroon and most impressed with his head-first approach. His description of the West African landscape is both beautiful and grotesque, painfully honest at times, and is an excellent travelogue. It is obvious from reading this book that he approaches other aspects of his life with the same intensity, focus, and excellence that he applies to his work with Rush. Ultimately, however, this is a book about Neil Peart, and not about bicycling, West Africa, politics, or philosophy. And it most definitely is not about interpersonal skills. Readers who are quick to apply "genius" to Neil Peart would do well to remember that there are multiple intelligences, among them interpersonal intellegence, and he is sadly lacking in people skills. At first, I thought the others in his tour were very lucky to be travelling with this great man, but after a few miles, I felt sorry for them! It is ironic that he recognizes (and appreciates!) the kind words and support offered by some of the strangers met along the way, but he cannot even conjure simple respect for most of the other tour members. I found that irony distracting. The reader is (understandably) getting a slanted view of Neil Peart's trip through Cameroon, and for that reason I would have a dificult time recommending it to someone who doesn't know who he is.

Being a rush fan and having pondered over every line of each song he writes, I was so tuned to the way neil thinks that reading his book was almost like reading a piece of my own writing. And as a book in itself : the choice of words are beautiful and a very plesant read for those who don't know the way Neil thinks. You can feel that neil has enjoyed the liberty to express his thoughts in more words than he can usually allow himself, and words that don't essentially have to rhyme or fit into to a song. Coming at a time when he has changed over from his hectic drumming style to a more comfortable and easy style, this book in a way brings out to the reader the change in his perception. Instead of the prototypical neil's choice of few fitting words this book is a beautiful contuinity of thoughts. I know there are many a bunch of restless youngsters who were motivated by Neil's words to think rational, work harder and stay focussed. To all of those this book is the best possible gift. Get naked and party !

I stumbled onto this book and had no idea about Peart's books or other job/personla history. Immediately I noticed that he has a great writing stlye, very much like the way any cyclinst ponders life as they slug away on the cranks weherever their travels find them.
I was a bit surprised at the focus of the personalities of the group, I expected more on Africa itself, but I can't say it was a totally unpleasant turn.
Great book, definately didn't convince me to pack up my roadbike and spend a month in africa though, but reading the book was a good trip.
The presentation and layout was really impressive, the book was a pleasure to go through, hard to put down really. Peart's style is pretty great, I'll check out another one some time I bet.
So if you dig on cycling trips, and stories check it out, or if you're a super nuts Rush fan, you might dig it.

Yes, I bought 'The Masked Rider' primarily because I'm a huge Rush fan, and truthfully, no, I wouldn't have bought it had I not heard of Rush nor known what a great lyricist and writer Neil is. For me, though, my love of Rush as well as biking made my interest in this book two-fold, and thus it proved to be one of the best journal-style works I've ever read. Neil's frankness, honesty, and yes, even humour, exposed a new facet of him that I had yet to see. The books flows quite well, as it's his recorded journal of his voyage thru west and central Africa. I was fascinated by some of the mental images he was able to paint of the African landscape, and his interest in the land its people peaked my own. If you get this book and like it, and you have yet to buy a Rush CD, don't hesitate to do so. His writing style shines in both his prose and lyrics, and I have no doubt you'll get hooked on it just like I have. Oh yeah, and his drumming is the best you'll ever hear, hands down, in case you haven't heard!