A Daunting Jaunt: The Long Ride Upcountry (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9789966133731)

Having been pushed away from the ever inhospitable environment of poverty, the adventurous protagonist takes on a journey with his unreliable cousin, Jacques, and their creepy friend, Étienne. After all, it is a mere road trip. However, he later discovers what he had missed all along, and also, the skeletons hidden in the lives of those residing in his newfound home. Far off from the inconveniences he was used to, he embraces his newfound facade, which he tries to live in while it still lasts.This story puts the portrait of family and country in constant motion. It is a daunting and memorable jaunt across the Kenyan heartland, up to its farthest ends. It also adds spice to its already rich narration, with traditions and livelihoods, which are bound to woo the reader.But should the protagonist give up his already new found facade, a life of comfort and little hassle, and go back to his old life of joblessness, suffering, and impoverishment?This book is a remarkable work of art, which is staged in the contemporary era. This is when Kenyans, and the world as well, have caught up with the changing times. Technology is at the forefront, and people have learned newer ideals. Education is all over, and there is not enough we can say about this remarkable change. Considering it is a huge step from the pre-independence era, some things remain unresponsive to change.The story is fictional in its own right, but it draws inspiration from real-life events. The geographical setting is established in Kenya, right from Nairobi to the frontier territories of its western region. The author tries hard to capture everything meticulously, however, he makes no apology in replacing the local regional names, with French-based ones. The character, Reveur (protagonist), narrates his life struggles in a unique and yet daunting way. His main antagonist is Jacques, a family member, whom he sees as a living proof of his under-achievement.In essence, the story is a journey which the protagonist takes to his ancestral home. After a while not going over there, probably because of his father, he finally leaps. This is after an invitation from his nemesis. In the course of the trip, his naïve mind is blown away. This is partly due to the important things he missed while away, and also his past skeletons, which all seem to haunt him.In summary, the story takes reference from the Kenyan experience. It leverages on the unique customs and practices that a people believe in and their general effect ... In the end, the protagonist makes peace with himself and realizes that his true nemesis is himself. After all, people are who they are, we only have to keep up with them.

Author: Gerie Reveur
ISBN-10: 9966133739
ISBN-13: 9789966133731
Publisher: Kenya National Library Service
Language: English
Published: 07/29/2019
Pages: 126
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.43lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.30d