Queen of the Road Review
A Travel Memoir that Will Please Readers
Doreen Orion’s new novel, which debuted earlier this summer, will have readers praising her intelligent and funny writing style. Even the title of her memoir indicates the wild ride Orion explores in her adventures. “Queen of the Road: The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 Miles, 200 Shoes, 2 Cats, 1 Poodle, A Husband, and a Bus with a Will of Its Own” is a mixture of tourism-lit and insightful peeks into the workings of marriage.
And The Travels Commence
Orion describes in less than 300 pages her journeys in a bus with her husband, Tim. Both are working as psychiatrists when Tim decides the couple needs to take time off work and travel around the United States for a year. Orion is a sheltered fashionista who barely leaves the house. Her acts of laziness give her some pride—while on the complete opposite end of the sloth spectrum is Tim. He has earned the nickname Project Nerd because of his Mr. Fix It schemes. His wanderlust trumps her couch potato, and before they know it, they’re on the road across America in a bus that Tim barely knows how to drive. Adventures ensue as Orion learns to let go of her fears and embrace life on the road.
Orion's Tales of Historical Sites
The book is filled with interesting descriptions of tourist sites, but the most captivating parts of the story are the side trips the couple makes to little-known historical locations. Readers will be inspired to start their own travels after reading about places they would never think to visit.
Orion’s writing style is witty and laugh-out-loud funny. Her asides to the reader allow for a feeling of intimateness. Not only does the reader experience the explorations along with the couple, they get an insight into Orion’s mind as these travels take place. There are trials (bus malfunctions, getting lost on back country roads), but more importantly, there are triumphs. Orion learns that life must be experienced outside the comfortableness of her home. When she recounts embracing a hike outdoors or exploring new areas, the reader feels proud of her developments. There’s hope for other people who are sitting in their living rooms waiting for life to happen to them.
About Doreen Orion
Orion’s first book, published in 1998, was incredibly dark (“I Know You Really Love Me: A Psychiatrist’s Account of Stalking and Obsessive Love”), so it is a nice change of pace for this novel to showcase her hilarious antics and wry sense of humor. This book is for anyone who loves to travel or just wants an escape in the adventures of someone else.
Queen of the Road
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Reading & Literature
Latest Articles