Getting There by Gerry Boylan

by Gerry Boylan

In 1973, after a shocking event turned his life upside down, Luke spent his youth hitchhiking along I-75 between Florida and Michigan, meeting an extraordinary cast of characters, surviving the dangers and tragedies of the road, and falling in love.Fast-forward thirty Luke now struggles to reconcile the boy he was with the middle-aged father he's become. And he wonders whether it's wise to trust the young hitchhiker he's picked up on his latest road trip.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published May 22, 2010

About the author

Between 1971 and 1975, Gerry Boylan hitchhiked over 100,000 miles in the United States and Canada. Much of Getting There, his first novel, is based on his own experiences. Boylan received his BS from Grand Valley State University in 1978 and is cofounder and managing director of Long Point Capital, a private equity firm. He and his wife, Kathy, are the parents of four children, Shannon, Moira, Joe, and Dan, and live in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Reviews

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘In an excruciating full circle of lessons, I learned that life was always about family.’

In the present, Luke Moore and his wife are driving their daughter to college for the first time. Along the way, they pick up a hitchhiker, and this reminds Luke of his youth some thirty years earlier. The story moves between past and present as Luke remembers both the events that turned his life upside down and his restless response as he struggled to find himself.

I was always searching for, and generally empty of, satisfaction.’

Hitchhiking between Florida and Michigan, Luke learned about himself, about the good and the bad in life more generally, and met some very interesting people each of who play some part in making him the man he becomes.

Driving his daughter to college, Luke reflects on the past and wonders how to prepare his daughter for the future. He is also just a little wary of the hitchhiker: something just isn’t quite right.

Mr Boylan is an accomplished story teller, and I enjoyed his depiction of Luke’s journeys both past and present. Luke meets some fascinating characters in his journey, and while he makes some questionable choices, he learns how to thrive in a world that has not always been kind to him and those he cares for. While both the journey and the destination matter in this novel, I found myself far more interested in the journey. There are a number of different messages in this novel for those who care to search for them but it is first and foremost an enjoyable read.

‘Sometimes it is the little decisions that make all of the difference.’

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not only an entertaining road trip but heartfelt story of family, friends, love and redemption. The relationships between friends and family tugged at my heart more than once. As the saga moves between 1973 and 2003 I found myself cheering on the cast of characters and wishing I had spent more of my youth exploring the countryside. Recommended for all those whose not only embrace life, but are not afraid of it! Great read, loved it.

[Maryanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This compelling saga by first time author Gerry Boylan, is a combination road and historical family/sociological saga. Hitch-hiking, a long lost art, is the common thread in this fascinating look at a time in our not to distant past, when a young man or woman took to the road to find him or herself.

Jumping back and forth between the present and the past, stories intertwine and connect to a satisfying and redemptive conclusion. I judge a book by how long the characters or theme stay with me after I have read it. The characters and their stories are still making me smile days later.

For those of us who lived through this time and those who are starting on their own journeys - highly recommended.

[Ziaria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read, if maybe a little long. The story parallels between 1973 and 2003. Luke is driving his daughter to college, while at the same time reliving his past spent hitchhiking in 1973.

This isn't one persons story. Instead is several stories weaved together like a patchwork quilt. It blends the stories all together, stitching each piece together in there proper place. The story builds itself up at a slow and steady pace. I guess like you would think a hitchhikers road trip might be.

If you like stories within a bigger story, this book might just be up your alley.