Embark on a captivating journey across the vast Russian steppe aboard the iconic Trans-Siberian Railway in this modern tale of self-discovery and introspection. The narrator, known only as D, begins his westward voyage in Vladivostok, traversing the ever-changing landscapes that unfold before him. As time moves inexorably onward, the everyday lives of the passengers intertwine with the rhythmic churning of the train’s propellers, contrasting sharply with the raw silence of the natural world beyond the windows.As the journey progresses, D’s physical expedition takes an unexpected turn, delving into the depths of his own psyche. A haunting presence, N, permeates the narrative, her essence imbued in the natural world, particularly at the breathtaking Lake Baikal in Siberia. N represents the one who got away, leaving a void and a profound fragility within D’s soul, scattering her ghostly influence across the many places his footsteps tread.Immersed in the tranquil vistas of the external world, D finds himself enamoured by the everyday characters he encounters along the way. As he navigates the complexities of his inner turmoil and the beauty of his surroundings, the narrator embarks on a transformative odyssey. The D who began his journey in Vladivostok will inevitably be different from the one who arrives in Moscow at journey’s end, but what will this transformation entail? Join D on this introspective voyage as he unravels the mysteries of his past, present, and future on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
He is a man of solitude. His world is that of the quiet and distilled. Each night, he sits at his desk as the clock strikes midnight. He journeys inward to that bottomless pit of conflict, prompted by memory, in search of an image fused with the imagination in order to reveal truth through character and the creative narrative process. The words become sentences and they are formed. And so it all begins. This was his first attempt and successful completion of a full-length book. His name is Daniel C.A. Christianson.
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I especially enjoyed the scenes set in siberia and more specifically at lake baikal. It is a region that I know as I visited siberia in the past. Lake baikal is amongst very few places on this planet where man hasn't destroyed its natural earth. It is a place that is mysterious and very difficult to reach. Due to its remoteness it is not violated by human beings and I hope that it will never be. The protagonist obviously is overcome with emotion on experiencing such a place and this is articulated very well by the narrator and author. I don't think that the character of N is real but a lost love combines well with the sacredness of such a sublime place.
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I think the author of this book has a deep interest in existential philosophy but also connecting such existence philosophy with history, literature and most of all psychology. It is the psychological aspects of the protagonist's melancholy and trauma that takes the narrative in another direction but the reader follows as the question as to what will be happen to the protagonist remains unclear until the very end. I also liked the love or loss of love of the main characters. I would have liked to have learned more about N as we only received snippets of information. I tend to think that N is not a real person but a mixture of characteristics from the various loves of the protagonist's life. I don't think there could be a backstory as N is more of a heroine figure who never becomes a real character so we are left wondering of what might have been.
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I really enjoyed this book. It was quite unusual and different to its narrative and I also felt somewhat confused by its non fictional journey with fictional narratives approach. I think the fictional scenes are dedicated to the protagonist's lost love and wherever she appears therein lies the fiction. I cannot imagine experiencing such a deep love. It would feel quite overpowering and all consuming but I can also imagine how wonderful it would feel to be loved in such an authentic manner. Perhaps the protagonist lost his love many years ago but cannot let her go and continues to search for her in places such as in the wilds of siberia. I also wonder who N is? She is obviously the heroine of a story that was brought to life from the mind and memories of the protagonist. We never got to hear her voice or her side of the break. Perhaps the author could write his next book about his characters of N and D and to show their love as it was experienced and lived.
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East to West Across Russia: The Long Journey Home is a remarkable debut by Daniel C.A. Christianson. His writing is evocative, introspective, and full of emotion, making the book more than just a travel memoir. It is a meditation on life, loss, and the passage of time, set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic journeys. Christianson’s ability to blend personal reflection with detailed travelogue makes this book a compelling read for anyone interested in both the physical and metaphysical aspects of travel.
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I was also somewhat confused with a memoir written as a combination of non fiction with fiction. It was difficult to figure out what were the fictional scenes and sometimes I was questioning whether parts of the journey were fictional too. However, this confusion did not take away from the very interesting narrative within the steppes of Russia and also the journey taking place within the mind of the protagonist. I think the narrative needed the vast expanse of Russia to tell his story with the heartbreaking loss of his great love. The memoir could still take place without the revelation of such a break of love but once this character of N comes into the story the entire focus and structure of the tale changes. At times there is an obsession with her as the protagonist is lost within his own melancholy. It is very sad to read but also very poignant and revealing of what is often hidden within us all, the loss of love.
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I do think the character of N is a real person although I feel the author has fictionalised some of the scenes that he writes about her. I see this is most evident at the lake scene and also the scene at kirova park in Irkutsk. The protagonist seems unable to let her go and the author internalises his main character's thoughts to mirror his own internal struggles and deep melancholy when thinking about his lost love. It is a very sad book and I think it will be felt most closely by those who have also suffered a heart break. I liked the letter scene in the park next to the statue of the lovers. This felt so real and maybe it was an attempt by the author to once again connect with his great love even if only for a few moments whilst he pens this love letter. I like others also wonder what happened to D and N in the past. Were they happy and what was such happiness like?
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This is a very personal and deeply emotional book. I have often wondered what it would feel like to travel along the transsiberian railway crossing Russia. By reading this book the author has brought me into his narrative and made me think about other things that are not even related to travel. I felt sad reading about the love that this couple once shared together. Who knows if it was a real love or simply imagined as an ideal love. Whatever the truth maybe it is obvious that the protagonist cannot live fully without he in his life. He can travel across the worlds largest country and connect deeply with nature but still this character N is always there in his mind and heart.
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It took me a while to get this story but when I did it hit me hard. Nothing seems to happen for at least 5-7 chapters but then it is unleashed as from the mind of the author. I read it quickly and perhaps that is what the author intended. I don't think the character of N is a real person but probably a composite of many different female characters. The author becomes obsessed with her, perhaps too much but at least the ending is real and not some form of happy ever after. Not a bad first attempt from the author. It will be interesting to see what he creates next.
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