Off Ramp: Adventures and Heartache in the American Elsewhere
by Hank Stuever
Overview
From the Publisher
A few years ago, Washington Post readers woke to a new voice: Hank Stuever. It was a little like meeting the brilliant, absolutely original child of David Sedaris and Joan Didion. Now, everyone can read his hilarious, haunting reports from "Elsewhere"-the everyday places where the odd and touching realities of modern life occur. Elsewhere can be glimpsed in the paved-over beauty of the New Jersey Turnpike. Or sighted throughout the bumpy, incredible journey of an Albuquerque couple bound toward the late great state of holy matrimony. It can be found in the tale of an armed man named Honey Bear on the hunt for his beloved but now missing sleeper sofa which he left in a storage unit. And it can be felt, unbelievably, in the quietly beautiful reflection on Oklahoma City, Stuever's hometown, after the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building.
Off-Ramp is human and unforgettable; Stuever's people dance to different drummers and new, unusual tunes. Now appearing: a fresh journalistic take to fit our slightly off-kilter times.
My thoughts
Um, hmmm, well ...
I invoked the Nancy Pearl Rule of 50 on this book. I read to 50 pages and called it quits. It's not that I don't like this book -- it's very well-written, it's entertaining, I had fun with it. But I'm not a big fan of books of essays. Each chapter is a completely different story, and that's just not my thing.
On one hand I'm tempted to keep reading it because Hank Stuever is a good writer. But I don't really want to read a whole chapter about some people getting married, and the common trials and tribulations they go through to get to the big day.
I think if someone living outside the US, or someone new to the US, would like to know what America is about, then perhaps this book is for them. But for a Yank reading about life as a Yank -- not so much. Just my opinion!
Favorite Passage
It's one day closer. Danny Garcia marks off the days until Darleine will marry Andy in the church across the street. His daughter will move out, to live ten houses down from his own. His wife probably will cry. He says he won't, cracks a joke about how Andy now will have to take over the service contract on Darleine. Her car needs an oil change? That's Andy's problem. Closet shelves need to be built? Andy's problem. Tires wearing thin? Andy. Clogged drains? Andy. Meanwhile, a bedroom will be empty. You grow old and your kids move away. Down the street can seem like another time zone. Facts are facts and this is Danny's problem. So he counts.
