Hard Surface: In Search of the Canadian Road

by Peter Unwin

Book by Unwin, Peter

Genres: Nonfiction

262 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Joe Chisholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a few of these unsung Canadiana - On A Cold Road by David Bidini, Turn Right, Turn Left, Repeat by Gern f. Vlckek. There isn't a best; they should all be savored. Hard Surfaces is the most eclectic collection of encyclopedic data, history, and I wouldn't say useless information but niche local know-how. For instance, you never knew there was so much to say about road-kill. There's poetry and musical tales and a windshield washer keeping time.

If you can get your hands on this book it's a must read.

[Steven Buechler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unwin has used a combination of wit and seriousness with his prose here to make readers ponder about something we take for granted – that path that is under our feet or under our tires. This is one of those books that should be taken to a quiet corner and meditated over. The ‘ah-hah’ and ‘really’ and ‘how-true’ moments that come from Unwin’s observations are numerous.

http://tinyurl.com/y75jrw4h

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very light read. Some interesting factual info. but I am still unclear as to what message or opinion the author was trying to convey with the book. Perhaps it was that when we wish to escape from our own lives - permanently or just for a short while - we look to the road as a means to do so. Just by hitting the road and travelling we are leaving the past behind for a new future. Not a lot of 'new' information was presented in the book. It seemed much of the book merely retold the journey's of past authors who had completed road trips across and around Canada, precisely what the author stated at the beginning he did not wish to do.

[Marlise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whimsical and light. A bit crass and hardened in spots. Fun to read after having traveled to nearly every little town along the TransCanada that the author describes.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Musings on the road and related matters.