Where the Road Bends

This is not a normal genre for me which will probably impact my review. I enjoyed the book and the setting in Australia but didn’t connect well with any of the characters. But no matter what we read or who we are, we all come to a point in our lives when we wonder how we got to where we are in life.

The novel starts on college graduation day when four friends decide that they will meet in Australia in 15 years to find out about each other’s lives. When they meet 15 years later, none of them are happy with their lives or what they’ve accomplished of those college dreams.

Lincoln is a stock broker and has just been promoted to a top level of management. He has never been able to find the woman of his dreams because that woman has turned him down in college but she is one of the four friends on this trip, so maybe he can still make it happen.

Eliza has a high level fashion job and has just been offered a job as CEO but isn’t sure that she wants it. She is no longer content with her job or her life.

Bree is the happiest of the group and loves her husband and children but can’t get over a huge disappointment from her younger days.

Andy is the least content with his life. He is hiding his life from his friends and plans to start a new life in Australia and start over.

These four friends haven’t talked to each other as a group in 15 years and they end up being taken to a camp in the middle of nowhere in Australia. They have all changed in the last 15 years and aren’t happy with their lives or the lives of their friends. What happens in the camp, gives them the possibility of changing their lives but they’ve already traveled far down the road of life and course-correcting to become the people they were meant to be won’t be easy.

If you enjoy religious fiction with a strong message, give this one a try.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

How did I get here? Isn’t that a question we all ponder at some point?

I enjoyed this book – a story of four college friends reconnecting in the Australian outback. While I enjoyed hearing about the four different main characters, I didn’t really feel a connection with any particular one. I would have loved if Rawlings would have gone deeper with these characters and their issues/struggles, and would have given us more information at the end of the book on the changes each made in their lives.

The author did make me ponder which character I relate to, and the direction I want my life to go.

This was my first David Rawlings book, and I do plan on reading more. I also listened to a bit of the audiobook, which I enjoyed.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions in this review are my own.

Mr. Rawlings sure knows how to dig deep into the souls of his characters, weaving powerful and poignant and heart wrenching stories around them, weaving the tattered threads of each character’s story into a single compelling tapestry.
Four friends stuck in their journey in life. A reunion that, when planned, was to have been a joyous celebration of their successes and happiness in life. The reality that all were hiding their own truths and none were prepared to reveal their failures, both real and perceived.
Just as God uses dreams and visions and “strangers unaware,” so, too, does Mr. Rawlings take his characters—and his readers—behind the veil, to witness the deeply personal and spiritual moments of truth and revelation.
What once had been a tight friendship between the four, Eliza and Bree and Lincoln and Andy, was changed, morphed into an unrecognizable discomfort. As they journeyed to the depths of the Outback of Australia—an adventure and much-appreciated bonus for this reader—the four friends each stepped into a journey into the depths of their own soul.
The imagery, both of the Outback and of the inward visitations, was vivid and riveting, keeping this reader turning pages well into the wee hours.

ROBIN’S FEATHERS
FOUR FEATHERS

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Saturday, #TRD, Book Review Triple Header #1, Where the Road Bends, David Rawlings

Where the Road Bends is a character driven allegory in which we meet four former college friends who made a promise at graduation to meet in the Australian Outback 15 years later. When you’re young and fresh out of college, you have lots of dreams and plans. One thing most of us plan is not losing touch with our closest friends. But, inevitably, we go our separate ways and get on with our lives. Thanks to social media, we may keep in touch or at least like each others’ status updates. However, that closeness we once felt is gone. And that’s exactly what’s happened with Lincoln, Eliza, Bree and Andy.

Eliza and Bree are the only two who’ve somewhat kept in touch. Yet, even they don’t really know what’s going on in each other’s lives. They’re like we are: they share what they want us to see. Do any of us really show our true selves on social media? Rarely.

As I read, Where the Road Bends, I could relate with the fears the characters had…fears of the truth coming out. That social media shine fades in “real” life. Andy doesn’t even have a social media presence. Yet it’s Andy who is the most fearful about his friends learning his secret.

From the book’s synopsis, I figured that the storm that scatters the friends and the guides that lead them would be focus of Where the Road Bends, and it is. I could understand the spiritual significance of these journeys. However, if I weren’t a Christian, I wouldn’t have understood that one of the journeys is especially significant nor would I have gleaned spiritual insight. If the guides had been reflections of Christ, I think this would have made a great impact. Since this book’s genre is Christian fiction, I wish the journeys would have been more of a Christian spiritual journey rather than a spiritual journey of self discovery. I still would have enjoyed the book for the well written story, but I’m not sure that it would lead me to Christ.

Where the Road Bends is an intriguing and enjoyable novel that shows us we all have the ability to change. If you look at your life and find you’re not where you want to be or you’re not happy, take the bend in the road that leads to where you want to be.

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Thomas Nelson/TNZ Fiction, as well as Prism Book Tours for providing an advanced review copy. A positive review was not required and all words are my own.

The cover is one of the striking things about this novel, other than the blurb. The stars above and the red dirt road of the Australian outback feature four people on a journey. Immediately questions come to mind – what are they looking for, what will they find, will they like what they find?

This is one of those “spiritual journey” novels that begins with graduation from college, culminating in a “15 years later trip” to Australia for four friends – Lincoln, Andy, Eliza, and Bree. Due to life experiences they are obviously not the same people they were when they arrive. Are they even who they want to be, or are meant to be?

But “how” did they arrive there – that is the key question in this novel and the entire premise. In addition – where are they going? What do they want next?

To be honest, this was a brilliant idea. I truly loved where the author went with this story. Yet, the execution has several weaknesses – some that truly affect how well the novel works, or could work. The stunning and brilliant writing saves this novel. The amount of imagination and passion the writer has are indeed strengths and you can read it in every page.

For the reunion, Lincoln has planned a camping trip to the Australian Outback. Basically being dropped in the middle of nowhere – or so it seems right then.

For Eliza, the trip is “significant”. Bree is hiding a secret, and Andy is just trying to hide.

The characters were indeed flawed, unique, and realistic. I couldn’t relate to the characters but I honestly understood some of them. I was drawn to the story to see how it was all going to play out. As someone who skipped her 10 year high school reunion (for more than one reason), it was an interesting plot to see how these people would have fared 15+ years down the road of life’s experiences. How close would they be considering how they were in the beginning.

That is quickly established.

Eliza mentions a term – “walkabout” – which is a journey of self-discovery. From the way the characters are at the beginning of this reunion, they could definitely benefit from it. However, their “tour” guides, particularly Eddie, mention they don’t exploit culture and don’t use the term anymore because it has been misunderstood and used to explain something that it wasn’t and painted to describe a picture of people who weren’t like that. He refers to the trek as a “journey with a purpose”.

According to one finding, ‘go walkabout – (of an Australian Aboriginal) wander into the bush away from white society in order to live in the traditional manner”. Which is why the two men, Eddie and Sloaney, say “it’s not appropriate to exploit cultural heritage for tourists” almost at the end.

In a later campfire session, Eddie is playing a yidaki which Eliza thinks calls a didgeridoo. Again, Eddie is quick to point out the original name. This was definitely an interesting look into an unknown part of the Australian culture. It was definitely fascinating to read and learn about.

Of course what happens at that campsite changes the four friends and causes them to reevaluate the current course they’re on. That doesn’t happen until about halfway through the novel though.

They start off camping and learning about the area – everything seems to be going great, but each one with their own baggage they don’t want to unpack. But, the longer they are together, there is something that threatens them – mainly their own issues in their lives and how they feel about each other.

It starts with a campfire argument and the four people yelling at each other. One interesting note is that Andy blames Lincoln for how his life turns out. This is a result of a “gambling” tip in college that then sets about Andy’s downward path in life, as well as where he his at this point in life. The tip was actually successful, however as most gamblers know – even one small success can be dangerous and lead to a darker path.

The argument culminates with a rare storm that forces them into taking cover which scatters them in different directions. They each wake up in a different area and try to find their way back to the campsite, or civilization – only after they’ve completed their “journey”.

The lessons/guides are simple:

1st – Lincoln. He is LOCKED in a train station with no train that comes by. He can’t find his way out until a woman asks to be let in.

2nd – Andy. It is his problem that is the most bizarre and readers at the end will be left wondering “what happened”, perhaps even in a scary way. This was perhaps the most disturbing part of the novel itself.

3rd – Eliza. She meets a guide, Grace, who quickly surmises what Eliza knew – she is missing something in her life; but what exactly? Was it a failed chance with Lincoln?

4th – Bree. Her biggest “demon” is self-doubt due to a failed attempt at a major event just after college, while happy, she still wrestles with the “am I good enough?” question.

This is a great story that really takes the reader on more than a journey in self-discovery. Told in third (3rd) person; the POV switches from Lincoln, Eliza, Bree, to Andy.

I honestly couldn’t put it down; I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen to them.

Through their individual “guide” journeys; most of the group learn purpose, healing, redemption, and what is wrong in their lives. They also learn that their story isn’t what they do, so much as how they got where they are. Something we all need to take in and reflect on. What was interesting is how they had to “go away” to find themselves. They had to be lost in order to be found.

They learn to re-think their story or their path on life. The journey acts as a course-correction to direct them into being who they are supposed to be, not who they ended up being.

For example, despite her success, Eliza was definitely unhappy. While she did seemingly “have everything”, it was really nothing to her. Same as her ex-finance from college, Lincoln. This mesmerizing tale gives one a harsh lesson in the value of success. This is one of those novels that gets the reader to thinking – actually reflecting on their lives.

Other issues, particularly surrounding Andy, were the questions of personal accountability, responsibility, and owning up to one’s mistakes.

It also begs the question of second chances – if given one, would we take them? What would be the consequences? How far do we fall before we don’t even deserve one?

Each journey was a variation of the same story.

While I am not sure I would call them plot holes, the ending left me wanting SO much more. I wanted to know what happened to these characters. Chapter one does start with the police involvement or rather investigation as one of the characters never seemingly “resurfaces”.

Where did the fourth (4th) person end up?
Were the remaining three going to be charged in the disappearance?
How where they going to change their lives going forward?
What was going to happen?
Was this how it was going to end for them?

There were a LOT of questions in that area – those are some of the major ones. And, that was the big let-down in this otherwise superb book. I’m hoping that because I read an ARC, there was more at the end that didn’t make it in. If not, it is a disappointment as this story deserves a more satisfying ending or rather an end with decent closure. I did re-read the ending to check to see if I missed anything.

As this is “magical realism”, there is no “realistic” basis for what happens in this novel. So, the reader needs to keep that in mind. This is a “hard to describe” kind of read; and best to “give it a try” one.

While I was left disappointed, confused, and even perplexed by the ending, I was also left with reflecting on the questions being asked of the characters.

I think this is geared more for fans of the author, and those of the genre; maybe even those who are “searching” for something in their lives. The discussion questions are great, and a theme for this book – how did you get to the point you are in your life; what shaped your journey; what events shaped it. Does clinging to the past really hold us back?

What about exploring a road not taken?

That was an interesting one as it was the topic of a J*A*G episode (“What If”) when the characters were pondering that same thing over fortune cookies – explore the road not taken, take it. Harm, Mac, Harriet, Bud, and Sturgis each had a view of the road not taken – each time it led them, in a way, towards where they were supposed to be, only by a different road. That was another thing that also stood out for me.

But, the reader also learns through this book that leaving old habits and thoughts behind is sometimes best so we can move forward.

This is definitely a LOWER 4 star read – more like a 3.8/3.9. As some websites don’t do partial stars, I did round it up.

Christy Award winning Australian author, David Rawlings, is a new-to-me author despite hearing about some of his releases last year – “The Baggage Handler” and “The Camera Never Lies”. While disappointed about the ending, the author does accomplish the main goal set out in the story.

While distributed through TNZ Fiction/Thomas Nelson, which is a Christian and faith themed publisher, I found no real Christian references at all. However, it was a clean read with no sex scenes or foul language.