The Crossing by Michael Doane

I was instantly connected to this character’s journey and envious of his wanderlust spirit. I couldn’t put this book down. The author created such powerful relationships with the characters in this story that you were instantly emotionally invested.

I love the premise for the book and the literary feel to it (without being too literary). I love the characters as well. Reading it has almost been a cathartic experience: we all want to or dream about dropping everything and taking the road to find ourselves, and we all know we won’t do it, so this book gives us a chance to experience it through someone else’s eyes.

Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. The characters are so well and vividly written, it is so easy to connect with them and want to take part in their adventures. Books about traveling the country have been written many times before, but this one is fresh and raw and full of feeling.

I am really enjoying The Crossing. I am reminded of a Peter Gabriel song that says ‘it’s only in uncertainty we are naked and alive.’ The bike causes both the loss of love and the finding of new love including self love. It’s existential and essential.

There are people I met on the road years ago that reminded me of the characters in this novel, the author captures some of the timelessness of cross country travel. It also helped me see that coming of age for a young man is just as difficult now as it was 40 years ago.