Drive: Women's True Stories from the Open Road

by Jennie Goode (Editor)

The road trip has always held a place in America’s literary imagination. But while most road-trip writing has centered on the male experience, women also travel the highway and for all of the same reasons men do: broken hearts, restless spirits, and lust for adventure. The latest in the Adventura series from Seal Press, this collection of stories fills the void in women’s road literature, giving a powerful but nuanced view of what happens when women hit the highway. In it are tales of real-life road-trippers driving, hitching, riding Harleys, and maneuvering beat-up wrecks — and the quirky people and experiences they encounter along the way.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Anthologies

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 21, 2002

Reviews

[M.A. Florence · Rating 3 out of 5]

An uneven collection of short stories. I really enjoyed over half of them but some of them didn't resonate with me. My favorite story was "My Mom Across America" by Tina Yun Lee.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty decent collection of short stories, all by female authors, with the theme of taking to the American open road. There’s an introduction by the editor on how she wanted to showcase that women have road trip experiences that are equally diverse and valuable as the ones more well known to the general public which are nearly exclusively written by male authors (ie ‘On the Road’, etc). What you get in this book is just that - an eclectic assembly of ladies taking to the road in a variety of ways. Really enjoyed the different tales and voices and each story/chapter can be read on it’s own so makes for ideal bedtime reading.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this was an OK way to pass the time during breaks at work, but it left me underwhelmed. I love Seal Press and I love road trips, but this collection is uneven and many of the essays feel very dated now.

[Lark Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved "Tee-nah" Yun Lee's story about bussing across Canada while being afraid of being Korean, as well as the story of the woman who solo rides her own Harley. Definitely some inspiring, thought-provoking and warmfuzzies reading this book. FANTASTIC for reading aloud with a road trip companion.

[Monette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree that it was a bit uneven in writing quality. I enjoyed finding pieces that resonated, though, in almost every story. A few of my faves were "Small Gifts", "Grapevine Passport" and "Mom Across America".

[Chickybaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best compilations of short stories by women writers I have ever read. A top 10 book on my list.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but I'm currently selling it. Trying to weed my collection a bit.

[Carrie]

travel narratives

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book about women, both young and old, who take to the road in order to discover some truth about their lives.