"Behind a vandweller's decision to move into what is often a cramped, smelly, heatless, air-conditioning less vehicle--there is always a story....a vandweller doesn't become a vandweller simply by purchasing a van. Rather, some personal change or transformation must first occur. The answer to the question about why I lived in a van is this book, which means that the following story isn't so much about a van but about student debt, and wilderness, and all the people and places and journeys that have made me the person I am today...."
How would I describe this memoir? It's honest, humorous, enlightening and entertaining. And it's about more than Ken Ilgunas trying to get out of debt or live in a van; it's a chronicle of his own journey to personal freedom and a better, more satisfying life. And I enjoyed every page of it. He meets a lot of interesting people and has many memorable moments in his quest to become debt free. I loved his Alaskan adventures and his experiences hitchhiking across America on his way back home. And all the living-in-a-van parts are especially funny. This is a great book. Here's just one of the quotes from it that I loved:
"Sometimes it's not until you see your shackles that you see your dreams. The soul must first be caged before it can be set free. For all the trouble it had put me through, I had the debt to thank for that. Still though, now that I was out of debt, I couldn't stop dreaming about what I could finally do. This sense of hope and anticipation that I felt made living a delight. This was freedom, I thought. Freedom didn't have to be about tramping around or having adventures: freedom was simply being able to entertain the prospect of changing your circumstances."
Happy Reading!
Well, as you might've suspected, I wanted this straightaway. LOL! So I nipped over to Amazon only to find it's an Amazon Prime freebie so naturally I nabbed it sharpish. Thanks for the excellent review, you made me very happy. :-)
ReplyDeleteI thought of you when I started reading this one...and I do think it's one that you would like. :D
DeleteKind of like Nomadland, I'm so curious about people who adopt a lifestyle like this (either by choice or not by choice).
ReplyDeleteTheir reasons why and how they go about doing it are always so fascinating!
DeleteThis sounds quite wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt's both interesting, and very readable and enjoyable. :)
DeleteInteresting. I couldn't live in a van or hitchhike, so this guy sounds really brave to me.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely not brave enough to hitchhike! Or live in a van either.
DeleteSounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very good read. :)
DeleteI love a good memoir and especially when the story is about a somewhat unconventional life.
ReplyDeleteAnd he tells his story well...with humor and insight. It's a fun read.
DeleteThis does sound fascinating. We can live vicariously through the author and not have to do the adventures ourselves, LOL!
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the best things about reading! :D
DeleteHa! I'm with Cindy immediately above. This sounds fun to read, but not a life I would want to live!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to live like this either! The bathroom situation alone would kill it for me. ;D
DeleteI love the idea of traveling around in a van. It sounds so free and fun. I would do it, but my husband and kids would not!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind a long road trip in a camper van...you'd get to see so many parts of America and that would be really fun. But I'd like hot showers and flush toilets along the way! :)
DeleteThis sounds fascinating. I'd like to think that I'd be able to live that kind of lifestyle if I had to, but I know I'd struggle with it bigtime.
ReplyDeleteI'd struggle with it, too! But I did really admire how Ilgunas got to a place where he didn't care about conventional living or pleasing anyone else any more...just following his own heart wherever it led him. I'd like to be more like that. :)
DeleteHi Lark, I went to kindle unlimited and got my copy too. I love these kind of memoirs where someone is at a crossroads, a downturn and they decide to do something bold and risky but gradually though it's hard in the beginning it pays off. The memoir Wild was like that which I also enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteI do like reading about people who make bold decisions and aren't afraid to take a few risks in order to turn their lives around. And I agree, Wild was a very enjoyable read. :)
DeleteWow it has a great title too. You sound really positive about this one - I'll see if my library has it. It's nice that Ken could find happiness and become out of debt. A huge load off his back I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot to like about this book. If you do get a chance to read it I'd love to know what you think of it. :)
DeleteThis kind of reminds me of Nomadland in that the character is making the most of their financial hardships while also finding themselves along the way.
ReplyDeleteIt is very similar to Nomadland. I liked both books! :)
DeleteIt does sound like an entertaining, and enlightening journey! I'm happy to hear this opened so much up for him! Sounds like he had some lemons and made lemonade! I know, cheesy! :)
ReplyDeleteBut true! It's how you look at your life that makes the difference in whether it's good or bad. :)
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