This is a beautiful book, written by a master writer. Perhaps the other reader who gave it a two-star rating prefers showy, trendy things that glitter and fade quickly - on the contrary, Mr. Bertman's novel is the kind that lasts, as it speaks in an honest, unpretentious way about the experience of one human being in this vast and varied world. At the same time, it is so fun to follow the path of the thoughtful young man as he traverses the world. Mr. Bertman is a gifted writer, and I hope he publishes another book again soon!