The Hike - Drew Magary
This was a random purchase at the local used bookstore (Grassroots in Reno). The bright cover grabbed my attention along with the NPR pullquote likening it to "early, good Chuck Palahniuk..." (though, admittedly, I don't see that connection at all! 😎).
Within the first few chapters it gleefully mashes up elements of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Jack and the Beanstock, Hansel and Gretel, The Wizard of Oz, Kafka, and The Incredible Mr. Limpet, and Robert Frost, amongst other allusions...
The writing can be clunky in spots, but the overall absurdity and genuine WTF? moments keep things moving briskly.
It's like a grown-up version of Ready Player One aimed at the married man with kids approaching a mid-life crisis. Granted, I am neither married nor have kids, but it still resonates as it is ultimately about getting older and dealing with harbored regrets.
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