The End of Travel Ravenna Press

REVIEWED BY:

SCORE:

Author: Robert Castle
Publisher: Ravenna Press

REVIEW:

Bob, a young American, decides he’d like to travel Europe. Armed with a few items of clothing and his beloved books, he begins his tour in Bolton, England. Embraced by his Bangladesh friends, they show him high levels of hospitality. To the point that Bob may well be suffocated by their niceness. There is a really funny line in this section and I forgot to write it down. Now I can’t find it. Hmph.

He visits Glasgow and stays in a room where he can see his breath in the air. The hotel proprietor allows Bob to have a heater, but plugs it in outside the door, thus being able to unplug it when he thinks Bob is asleep. I found this scene amusing.

In various places he:

Sees a ‘woman of the night’ and finds himself attracted to her ‘parts’, which is, incidentally, a really funny scene. Chit chit—you’d have to read it to find out why that is funny.

Meets a woman intent on showing her husband and son, as in, “I’ll show them!” Bob finds himself attracted to her too.

Shares his personal space with a fellow American who likes nothing more than to smoke weed.

Visits nuns and tells them he isn’t a Catholic, nor does he believe in God, and then berates himself afterwards for not having enough tact.

Gets shafted for the price of his laundry.

Tells people he is studying to be a priest so he can read his novel in peace.

Shares a room with a man who thinks nothing of undressing and washing his genitals in front of Bob.

Robert Castle takes us on his travels with him. It’s almost like a sitcom or soap opera. One thing after another occurs. What I did like about The End of Travel is that though Bob is seeing the world, he constantly wonders what the hell he is doing at each new destination. Also, this is the kind of read where you forget you’re reading. With The End of Travel I found myself seeing only pictures, as if it all played out on TV. An outstanding comedic book that was a pleasure to read.

My favourite Lines (though I think they are a case of needing to read the book to find them funny):

Who the hell learns Dutch?Yes, I had seen the dual signs for streets and entrances to the lavatories.

Was he trying to out Puritan the Puritans?

You should eschew Dave’s company as quickly as possible, warns The Man of Integrity.

Bravo, Mr. Castle!