Customer Reviews

8 reviews

• Aurelie Colet

  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.

• Sandrine Torres

  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?

• Gabrielle Ladisa

  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.

• Erica Stolle

  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.

• Shelley King

  I agree with the previous reviewer in saying that the author has an obsession with his lost love. It is as though he has never got over her and as a result she continues to live within him. Perhaps they were together a long time ago and were each other's first love. This might explain how the author seems unable to give up on her and what she meant to him. On the otherhand, she simply might be conjured up from the author's imagination as an idealised figure that he envisages as a heroine within his fiction. Whatever the truth is this figure named N means everything to the protagonist and presumably for the author too. I really enjoyed this book and especially how the author probed certain topics that forced me to think about them as well. I am not sure if I would like to read the backstory of D & N if one exists at all. Sometimes it is better not to know so that we can simply enjoy the brief window into a lost love.

• Jack Finn

  A most enjoyable read but I have so many questions now after having read this book. My main question relates to whether it is a fictional or non-fictional book. If it it is a work of fiction then it is a novel and if it is a non-fictional book then it is a memoir but I am confused as the author said that 'it is a non-fictional journey but with fictional narratives interspersed throughout. Usually, a non-fictional journey must be written as it was experienced but the author has not done this. However, this does not bother me but I now am wondering who the character of N is? Is she a real person or a figment of the author's imagination? If she is a real person then I am now curious about what happened to them prior to this story. The author compared N to the sacredness within the waters of lake baikal. This is a deeply personal account of a love that once promised so much and now is lost forever. I wonder what her name is or was? Is she or was she Nancy, Nicole, Nadia and who is D? Is he Daniel as the author's name or perhaps he is David, Dean or Dylan? There are so many more questions than there are answers. It is a most unusual written book but I read it from front to back within a few days. It certainly shows Russia in a different light. At the heart of this book is the journey of a lonely and love sick man. Perhaps the author might now write the back story of D and N, how they met, how they fell in love and what brought about their demise.

• The Galway Review

  A Captivating and Deeply Personal Journey Across Russia Date: 19 Sep 2024Author: Admin 0 Comments Book Review: East to West Across Russia: The Long Journey Home By Daniel C.A. Christianson In East to West Across Russia: The Long Journey Home, Daniel C.A. Christianson embarks on a captivating, deeply personal journey across Russia. Published by Austin Macauley Publishers, this debut work is a unique fusion of travel memoir and reflective narrative, revealing not only the vast expanse of Russia but also the emotional and psychological landscapes of the author himself. Christianson’s adept writing style and thoughtful narrative structure offer readers an evocative and immersive experience, blending factual recounting with creative introspection. Storyline Overview and Themes The book traces Christianson’s journey on the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway, but unlike many travelogues, this is more than a geographical exploration. It is a psychological and spiritual journey that mirrors the author’s internal voyage, as the vast, untamed landscape of Russia serves as the backdrop for his reflections on life, love, and loss. From his arrival in Vladivostok to the long train ride westward, each chapter offers new insights into Russia’s physical and cultural terrain while also delving into Christianson’s own inner world. The trip begins in the Far East, with Christianson reflecting on his lifelong fascination with trains, a passion that began in his childhood. His journey, however, is not a simple one of sightseeing. Each stop and interaction brings about reflections on deeper existential questions, including the fleeting nature of human connections, the power of dreams, and the inevitable confrontation with one’s own past. His journey serves as a metaphor for life, with the moving train symbolizing the passage of time and the chapters of his life that he revisits as he travels. Key themes of memory, solitude, and introspection are prevalent throughout the book. Christianson writes with a melancholic tone, frequently meditating on lost love and the ache of unfulfilled desires. His musings often blend seamlessly with descriptions of the people and places he encounters, offering a layered reading experience that combines both outward observation and inward reflection. Chapter Analysis Christianson’s narrative is structured into 20 chapters, each covering distinct stages of his journey from east to west. Beginning with a preface that directly addresses the reader, he sets the tone by admitting that the narrative will blur the lines between fiction and non-fiction, suggesting that his inner transformations will be just as significant as the external experiences. In the early chapters, such as “A Dream” and “Welcome to Russia,” Christianson recounts his early fascination with trains and his anticipation of the adventure to come. The opening chapter introduces readers to the dream that has fueled his desire to cross Russia by rail, an obsession that began in childhood. These chapters are full of youthful idealism and excitement, setting the stage for the more profound reflections that follow. Chapters like “The Trans-Siberian Train” and “Baikal, Baikal” focus on the physical experience of the journey. Christianson describes the beauty of the Siberian landscape, his awe at Lake Baikal, and the monotony of life aboard the train. Yet, even in these moments of outward observation, the author’s introspective voice remains ever-present, often veering into philosophical ruminations about life, purpose, and the human condition. The description of Siberia’s raw beauty is infused with a sense of isolation that mirrors Christianson’s inner feelings of solitude. One of the most poignant chapters is “Fragments of Death,” where Christianson delves into the darker aspects of his journey, touching on the presence of mortality and the passing of time. This chapter reveals the depth of his personal loss and how the vast emptiness of Russia amplifies his grief. His reflections on death are counterbalanced by the chapter “Philosophies of Life,” where he meditates on life’s meaning and the search for personal truth. The interplay between these two chapters highlights Christianson’s internal struggle and his quest for understanding in a world full of contradictions. The final chapters, such as “Journey’s End” and “Moscow,” bring the narrative full circle. As Christianson nears the end of his physical journey, he reflects on the transformation he has undergone. The train journey, initially an external adventure, becomes a metaphor for his inner growth. The concluding chapter, “A Waltz,” closes the book with a sense of bittersweet completion, leaving readers with the impression that, though the journey has ended, the search for meaning continues. Writing Style and Literary Devices Daniel C.A. Christianson’s writing is imbued with a lyrical quality that elevates the memoir from a straightforward travelogue to a deeply reflective piece of literature. His use of vivid imagery, especially in describing the vastness of Russia, allows readers to experience the journey alongside him. Christianson’s attention to detail in his descriptions of the train, the landscape, and the people he meets along the way paints a vivid picture of Russia, from the busy streets of Moscow to the desolate Siberian plains. The structure of the book, with its alternating focus on external events and internal musings, reflects the duality that Christianson seeks to explore—the tension between the physical journey and the emotional one. His frequent use of metaphor, particularly the train as a symbol of life’s journey, is effective in tying together the various themes of the book. The train’s movement from east to west mirrors Christianson’s own movement from past to present, from loss to acceptance. Christianson also excels in using contrast to highlight the dualities in his narrative. The beauty of the Russian landscape is juxtaposed with the bleakness of his inner turmoil, and moments of connection with others are set against his overwhelming sense of loneliness. This contrast deepens the reader’s understanding of Christianson’s emotional state and makes his journey all the more poignant. A remarkable debut by Daniel C.A. Christianson 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.

• Christopher Kelly

  A life-time fascination with train travel inspired the author of this beautifully produced book to embark on the world's greatest train journey along the Trans-Siberian Railway from Vladivostok to Moscow. This book is not just a travelogue but the long journey and long days alone gave the writer plenty of time for introspection and reflection. He pours out his philosophy of life and his evaluation of the modern world but the hidden theme of the book is his thoughts on a broken and missing female relationship that once promised so much joy, fulfilment and hope for a future together. As the wheels of the train roll westwards through the large towns of Siberia and Eastern Russia we are introduced to Khabarovsk, Chita, Irkutsk, Omsk, Yekaterinburg, their culture and some of the great Russian writers who left their mark on the territory and are now remembered in street and square names, statues and museums. The writer is in awe at the great natural beauty of Siberia, its immense size, its endless forests and especially the largest fresh water lake in the world, Lake Baikal. Of course, there is a very dark side to Siberia thanks to political figures like Marx, Lenin and Stalin and it is the graveyard of tens of millions of Russians and the home of the gulags. In spite of such a dark side of its history and politics, the writer comes away with deep appreciation of this vast country, its people and its culture. This book opens up a window on a territory frequently mentioned and little understood and is highly recommended to fill that void in our knowledge and education and a dream fulfilled for the author over 9000km.

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