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A review by bookanonjeff
The Vacation by John Marrs
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Complex, Interwoven Thriller With Numerous Characters And Flashbacks. Hell, the one thing to knock this book on is just how sudden the flashbacks and returns can be. Other than that, this is one of those twisty, complex, interwoven tales more about the people that find themselves at a particular hostel at a particular moment than any titular "vacation" - though, as you'll come to see, every single one of them is truly on a "vacation" of sorts, so the title *does* work. I simply think the original title of "Welcome To Wherever You Are" may have actually been a more apt title for the tale.
If you want a single, simple plotline with a one or two true main characters and maybe a supporting cast... this isn't that kind of tale. If you want a tale where there are definitive answers and everything is black and white... this isn't that kind of tale. If you want an absolute mind fuck of a tale that makes you question your sense of reality... this isn't that kind of tale, either.
Instead, this truly is one of those more interesting in between tales that shows a more accurate depiction of humanity and how we're all flawed and we all have our own stories both before and after any given encounter, this simply happens to be the tales of those people who wind up being in the same Los Angeles area hostel at the same moment in time at the particular moment of the story here. If you're looking for *that* kind of tale... congratulations. You've found one of the better examples of it I've ever come across in my own reading.
Very much recommended.
If you want a single, simple plotline with a one or two true main characters and maybe a supporting cast... this isn't that kind of tale. If you want a tale where there are definitive answers and everything is black and white... this isn't that kind of tale. If you want an absolute mind fuck of a tale that makes you question your sense of reality... this isn't that kind of tale, either.
Instead, this truly is one of those more interesting in between tales that shows a more accurate depiction of humanity and how we're all flawed and we all have our own stories both before and after any given encounter, this simply happens to be the tales of those people who wind up being in the same Los Angeles area hostel at the same moment in time at the particular moment of the story here. If you're looking for *that* kind of tale... congratulations. You've found one of the better examples of it I've ever come across in my own reading.
Very much recommended.