The Road Rises: A Memoir

by Sarah Dunne

A Quest for Mr Right
An empty nest. A racing heart. A twitching eye. A dead career. Looks like it’s time for a midlife crisis. Looks like it’s time for a quest. Maybe it’s time for Mr Right.

The Misters turn up. A Man of God in Australia. A Meditator in Bali. A Minotaur in Spain. A Superstar in Guinea. A Selfie in India. A Delight in Turkey. A Passport Hunter in England. A Paleolithic Man in Portugal.

And yet Mr Right may be the wrong thing to look for. There may be many Mr Rights. Or none at all. There may be other, richer love affairs to be had.

This memoir speaks to those who are facing an empty nest and an empty self. It speaks to those who are looking for something right.

About the Author
Sarah Dunne lives in a regenerating forest in New Zealand. She is in the process of re-wilding herself and re-wilding the land.

Genres: Memoir

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2024

About the author

Sarah Dunne lives in a regenerating forest in New Zealand. She is in the process of re-wilding herself and re-wilding the land.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is stunningly written. I could barely put it down. Dunne writes in a way that makes it impossible not to see the world through her eyes. She creates such vivid imagery through her words that you can see what she is seeing, you are immersed in these environments, walking alongside her. An incredible book. Thank you!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully engaging read - I loved this from the first chapter to the end. It is filled with wit and humour, while at the same time cutting to the heart of what it means to be human. The characters are real and engaging, and the narrator’s quest for adventure and connection make you feel like your backpack is on and you’re voyaging beside her.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book club selection #104, Nov 2025

A disappointing read. The first clue was that it is written entirely in the present tense, which is rarely a good sign. Each chapter finds the author in a different country, not doing much of anything. I guess she’s trying to find happiness, or maybe herself, or maybe Mr. Right, or possibly Ms Right. She goes out on a lot of bad dates, and sings, and dances, and walks the Camino. She does a lot of trivial things.

But the thing is, with most memoirs I read, I get to know the person. I have an understanding of their interests and motivations. In contrast, I don’t know this woman at all. She flits from country to country but provides little background on herself. I have no idea what makes her tick. She seems superficial and self-indulgent and not serious, but she’s great at attracting men wherever she goes. Occasionally, there was an interesting anecdote, but overall this book was a snooze that I’m sure I will quickly forget.

[Catherine Duval · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid reader of fantasy, it was wonderful to read something real, that felt even more magical than my usual fiction escapes. This book was an unexpected love story of life, people and the earth. Dunne's writing is so succint and poetic that reading is an embodied experience of exploring, dancing, laughing and crying right along with her. Sarah and the characters you meet along the way are a fascinating insight into the meaning of the human experience. The Road Rises is a book that keeps on giving long after the last page. I am eagerly awaiting a sequel.

[Declan Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir combines travel and romance, two of my favourite things. There is a hint of the otherworldly and moments of transcendence, but mostly is grounded in the everyday, the annoying, the I-wish-it-were-better-but-this-is-what-it-is of life. Dunne's journey to find the person of her dreams is funny, entertaining and all too familiar for anyone who has traversed the perils of dating as an adult.

I entirely recommend.

[Lynda Rendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah has written a thought provoking, witty and intelligent account of her year searching for ‘Mr Right’. Anyone who enjoys travel, laced with descriptions of quirky personal encounters will love this memoir. In particular her descriptions of Mr Right in Liverpool, Amadou in Guinea, Palaeolithic Man in Portugal stay in my mind. Sarah is perceptive, wise and funny but manages to be kind at the same time. This is worth a read.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️I did enjoy this book especially the chapter on The Portugese Way Camino. What I found curious was that I actually wasn’t that fussed about what happened to the author - I didn’t have that inner connection with her sadly. (Sarah if you are reading this please don’t take it personally as I am sure we would if we met face to face in beautiful New Zealand!😬🤣)

If you are Irish you will enjoy that chapter. If you are a Scouse probably less so the one on Liverpool!

[Julie Greenwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed and I cried reading this book. For all of us who have been on journeys of healing and self discovery this book is heart warmingly honest and feels like a warm hug of encouragement even when days may feel dark. I encourage all my reading friends to read it. It’s light and deep at the same time. Well done Sarah!

[Lloy Adams · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only the second book in all of my years of reading that I could not force myself to finish. Slow moving. Boring details about nothing. I got to the 54% completed mark and couldn’t read another word. I have no idea how people are finding even a note of humour or amusement. Sorry but this is a hard no for me.

[Emily Napolitano · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny, brave, honest and bittersweet memoir about searching for meaning that had me laughing and crying and questioning my own journey. Sarah’s writing is evocative and candid, making me feel like I was right there with her. I hope she keeps writing - I’ll be keeping an eye out for more books by her!

[Rubyryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed taking this journey with Sarah, as she explored new places and new potential suitors :-) There is lots of wry humor and her descriptions of the places she visited have encouraged me to visit them and to avoid them, depending on her response :-). She has a hunger for the wild places so it is not surprising that where she finds it, her soul settles.

[Nick Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really found this book to be such an easy, witty read. Especially liked the chapter on India. Great character depiction and found myself laughing out loud which I haven't experienced from a book in such a long time. Highly recommend.

[Natisha Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read as we follow the author Sarah Dunne on her travels in search of the one. She seems to never pass judgement on the people she meets or the lifestyle they take part in. It would be awesome to travel to different countries trying to find a way to fit in. I enjoyed it

[Mitch Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heartfelt memoir, laughed alot. Sarahs style of writing takes you on an effortless journey that does not disappoint.

[Amy Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulls you in gradually. We never learn exactly why the author is grieving, but she does feel better in the end. Funny unique situations. Not your usual travel writing.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun trip as we follow the author Sarah Dunne on her quest to find Mr. Right.
With her children grown and for the most part not at home any longer, an unfulfilled job and ,single approaching middle age, the author decides to travel from New Zealand, to different countries to see if she can find mister right.
Both full of humor and the reality of what is out there, the author gives us an honest picture of what she found in the different countries she went to. I must say she had a very open mind about her encounters with the people she met and had no judgments about their lifestyles, even thinking she might fit in now and again, but is there really a mister right?
I would like to thank NetGalley and Mahoe House for a copy of this book.

[Barb Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir is no ordinary “Quest for Mr Right” as the back of the cover headlines. It is an insightful and beautifully written tribute to a quest, to fill an empty well, drained by work, relationships and life stress. Donne’s attention to detail, her insights into people, the lands and cultures she inhabits during a year of travel, are as amusing and playful at times, as they are thought provoking and deeply moving. There is a lightness of touch here, perfectly balanced with just enough comment to allow us to see and feel what she does. Conversations are reported with kindness and they are devoid of criticism. We are invited to make up our own minds as demands and expectations are made on her time, her patience, her wallet and her generosity of spirit. There are many layers to “matters of the heart” and deeper world issues concerning the environment, pollution, poverty and despair are also skillfully woven throughout the text. I note that “quiet desperation” is still the “English way”in Liverpool and am relieved when I am rescued with her clever imaginative prose and gentle humour to transcend the reality. It is a delight to read such a fresh, quirky, new voice and a privilege to be a witness to this pilgrim’s journey. The choice to follow Frost’s “road less traveled” and the courage, vulnerability and honesty needed to complete the challenge, rewards us all in the final chapter. It is here, in her ancestral home of Ireland, the writer finds the magic needed to replenish the well.

[My Humble Thoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Road Rises" is a witty and introspective memoir that delves into the complexities of midlife crises and the quest for fulfillment. I like how the author navigates through various encounters with "Misters" across the globe, each representing different facets of love and self-discovery. From a Man of God in Australia to a Passport Hunter in England, these encounters offer a rich tapestry of experiences that challenge conventional notions of romance and fulfillment. Through humor and insight, the memoir reminds readers that the search for "Mr. Right" may lead to unexpected destinations, ultimately pointing towards richer love affairs and deeper self-discovery. It's a relatable and thought-provoking journey for anyone facing the uncertainties of midlife.