The Journal by R. D. Stevens

★★★★★

Remarkable story superbly combining philosophical insight and gritty reality

Ethan was always close to his clever, thoughtful sister Charlotte. While growing up, she was the person he most loved, idolised, and emulated, and it was she who influenced him more than anyone else, shaping the person he wanted to be. So when Charlotte drops out of university and disappears in South East Asia without a word, Ethan travels to Cambodia to find her. With the help of a fellow traveller, he follows her trail to Laos and Thailand, experiencing all the joys and travails of backpacking while questioning the world around him as Charlotte taught him to do.

Moving childhood memories and insightful philosophical musings deftly intertwine with the main plot of Ethan’s quest to find Charlotte, taking the reader on a memorable journey of both geography and mind. The reality of backpacking is vividly evoked as Ethan is immersed in a world of cheap hostels, spicy food, bus journeys, boat trips, motorbike rides, stunning landscapes, escapades in the wild, and a colourful cast of characters. The search for Charlotte unfurls at a leisurely pace but never fails to excite and engross, leaving the reader on tenterhooks for the resolution. Will Ethan find her? If not, will we ever discover what happened to her? And if he does find her, how will she – and he – react? The existential contemplations interspersed throughout are fascinating and absorbing; complex yet accessible, never talking down to or patronising the reader.

A captivating and erudite read, The Journal is a singular mystery adventure which engages on an intellectual and emotional level. Highly recommended.

Jo-Anne Blanco (as Arwen Evenstar) for Breakaway Reviewers

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

©Jo-Anne Blanco 2018