Customer Reviews

The End of Hitchhiking

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4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a novel first and foremost about a road trip, during which 5 college friends explore the country. Now that they're on summer break, they begin to wonder about what will lie ahead after graduation, and if they'll have to earn it themselves, or if like their education, their futures will be molded and paid for ultimately by their parents.

Jim serves as a quirky, likeable narrator who pushes his fellow roadtrippers to consider their futures carefully. Along the way, Jim learns more about his friends than he ever could have in the bubble of college, as each character tells a story about his/her past along the way. Jim is mainly preoccupied, though, with his own past, thinking about previous generations who lived in a time when everything seemed so much simpler...when maps and plans were irrelevant, and anyone could jump on a train and not worry where it was going.

Overall the characters are all very distinct and bring their own unique voice to the story. The writing is fresh, quick, and witty, and I would recommend The End of Hitchhiking to anyone feeling trapped between life as a college kid and an adult, or anyone just looking for a novel with relatable characters addressing questions (such as religion, politics, and this generation's obsession with technology) that affect us all.

Unfortunately, I could not get into this book at all, & ultimately I gave up. I wasn't interested in the story, didn't care about the characters, & decided to move on to another book that I might enjoy more.

Full disclosure: I am friends with the author.

At its core, The End of Hitchhiking is a journey. One that spans the states, the characters, and the mind. We get the chance to join the characters on their travels, learn as they learn, and grow as they grow.

The writing is tight and whimsical. However, if you are looking for a fast paced adventure, or a fantasy love story between humans and vampires, this won't be for you. This story is slow burning, but satisfying. It is well grounded and encourages you to think, and while I don't want to spoil anything, it builds up to an epic and rewarding conclusion.

If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, I encourage you to read it.

Cheers!