Scan barcode
A review by andrewspink
Pedalling West by E. A. Coe
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This book is a road-trip with a difference. For a start, it is not in a car, but on a bike, and then mostly a solo trip. That was one of the reasons that I wanted to read the book, as I enjoy cycling, although I must say that actually, there was not so much about the joy of cycling long distances in it as I had hoped. In fact, there seemed to be more about how unsafe it all was, than the positive aspects. I have cycled in America, so understand that is the perspective of some people there, but nevertheless had hoped for better.
But the main thing is the central theme was not so much the trip (which provided the scenery, as it were), but the thriller/detective aspect of the plot. That did make it interesting, although the plot remains fairly straightforward.
I did have one or two quibbles about technical details. I really doubt if a small solar panel could power a live video feed to a screen all day long. Maybe the rider was supposed to charge the system overnight, but we weren't told. It is in fact possible to remove several chain links, bypass the derailleur and in that way continue to cycle (albeit in one fixed gear) for a while. However, not everyone knows this and the protagonist is not presented as having much technical knowledge. As a botanist, I have heard different explanations about the spread of Kudzu (not related to the railways).
I also had quibbles about the use of language in places. The make "iPhone" is mentioned very frequently, and other makes are just cell phones. Is this product placement, or does the author just like that make? The skin colour of only one character is mentioned explicitly, and he is black and a murderer. Some of the emotions seem a bit over the top (e.g. an "urge to panic" because she was alone).
From a European perspective, some passages make for strange reading. I am aware that the cycling infrastructure in the US is rather primitive, so had expected that. What was a big surprise was that when there is talk about upgrading the bike with safety features, that meant not things like bright lights, better tyres or similar, but adding defensive weaponry. Only in America!
Nevertheless, the points above are mostly small things which didn't distract too much from the book, which I did enjoy reading.
My review is based on a free copy of the book kindly provided by the publisher via BookSirens, in return for an honest review.
But the main thing is the central theme was not so much the trip (which provided the scenery, as it were), but the thriller/detective aspect of the plot. That did make it interesting, although the plot remains fairly straightforward.
I did have one or two quibbles about technical details. I really doubt if a small solar panel could power a live video feed to a screen all day long. Maybe the rider was supposed to charge the system overnight, but we weren't told. It is in fact possible to remove several chain links, bypass the derailleur and in that way continue to cycle (albeit in one fixed gear) for a while. However, not everyone knows this and the protagonist is not presented as having much technical knowledge. As a botanist, I have heard different explanations about the spread of Kudzu (not related to the railways).
I also had quibbles about the use of language in places. The make "iPhone" is mentioned very frequently, and other makes are just cell phones. Is this product placement, or does the author just like that make? The skin colour of only one character is mentioned explicitly, and he is black and a murderer. Some of the emotions seem a bit over the top (e.g. an "urge to panic" because she was alone).
From a European perspective, some passages make for strange reading. I am aware that the cycling infrastructure in the US is rather primitive, so had expected that. What was a big surprise was that when there is talk about upgrading the bike with safety features, that meant not things like bright lights, better tyres or similar, but adding defensive weaponry. Only in America!
Nevertheless, the points above are mostly small things which didn't distract too much from the book, which I did enjoy reading.
My review is based on a free copy of the book kindly provided by the publisher via BookSirens, in return for an honest review.