Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road by Neil Peart
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Book Reviews of Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road
Book Review: I have discovered a favorite author. How precious is that!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been familiar with Neil Peart's written work since the mid 1970's - as the lyricist for Rush. Those lyrics were a big part of what made, and kept me a fan (I use this word in the vernacular, not in the literal abbreviation for 'fanatic') of the band. Not too many rock songs can make you think about social issues, religion, or the general human condition. Of course, sometimes we're just in the mood for Long Tall Sally, but when we want something deeper, few artists can deliver (think Yes, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, etc. in addition to Rush). Mr. Peart's accomplishments as a musician are also legendary and well deserved.
So, he writes books too eh? I hovered my mouse over the icon to purchase this (and other Peart books) on several occasions before finally buying it. How good will it really be? Sure he can write "songs", but writing a book is another thing altogether - if were easy I would be doing it. Finally, I decided it was worth a small monetary investment as well as a time investment (after all, if I don't like it I needn't finish it), and got myself a copy.
"Ghost Rider" is not easily categorized, nor should it be. This will present a problem for some readers who like to stay within a particular genre, but if you are an adventurous reader (literally and figuratively) you might enjoy this book.
* What the book is NOT about *
This is not a book about Rush. It is not a book about drumming, writing songs, or being a rock star. If that is what you're looking for, you may be disappointed. If you go in knowing this however, you are in for a treat. Yes, there are references to the topics above - how could there not be... but those subjects are not in any way the center of this story.
* What the book IS about *
So many things. First and foremost it is a story of one man's grief. Faced with personal tragedy that many cannot personally identify with, Neil shares with the reader his many thoughts, feelings, and attitudes over a period of more than a year. The book is also about traveling. We are taken on a long motorcycle journey through much of North America (and below), through places familiar and unfamiliar, in good weather and bad, among scenes and smells that are beautifully described - even the scenes and smells that are not themselves beautiful.
Whether you like a book often depends on how you 'click' with the writer's style. This is especially true of an autobiographical work such as "Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road". I immediately felt very comfortable with Mr. Peart's writing style. There is a certain rhythm (pun intended) to his writing that is easy and comfortable. I found very few details that were uninteresting to me, because these details were interesting to the author, and are therefore necessary ingredients.
Perhaps I liked the book more because I know who Neil Peart is, and maybe I tolerated things that other readers disliked, but when I ask myself how this book stands up without any reference to Neil Peart's "other life" - I say very good. Now that I have read one of his books, I will continue to read the others he has written, and I hope he writes more.
Book Review: CHRIS AND FRED GAVE A HORRIBLE REVIEW
Summary: 5 Stars
Fred and Chris' review is shockingly disturbing. I read this book 3 times and wept uncontrollably at Neil's losses. I cannot believe that you would complain that he is shallow, and complained about the number of pages it took to tell of the events. How much more does he need to tell? Selena lost control of her vehicle, flipped it, and it killed her. It was a terrible accident without cause. Jackie fell into the worst depths of a depressive state and it killed her along with the terminal cancer. A disease I battled personally for 2 years but actually ended up in remission.
To complain that this book reads like a Mapsco means neither one of you understand or care about how most readers like myself want to know everything, every description, every detail of what he is seeing and feeling. Neil writes so that you feel you are right there with him and that is what I love about his writing style.
To say that he cares more about his friend who is in jail for marijuana possession, (not HARD DRUGS) instead of Selena and Jackie is very callous. If he cared about his friend over his family, he never would have been in seclusion for so long and would have probably returned to drumming a lot sooner. HE LOVED HIS LITTLE GIRL MORE THAN ANYTHING!!! Look at the way he talks about her in all of his books. He was a very doting father and very involved in her life.
The fact that he did not just take a bottle of pills and end it all after those tragic events shows how much courage and strong character he really has. And just because he can handle his liquor does not mean he is teetering on the brink of alcoholism. Sounds like something a member of the infamous AA would say.
Saying that he has a diminishing respect for humans individually and as a whole just means that you don't like the way he looks at some people and situations. After reading all his books I realize that I think and feel the exact same way as he does. You just don't like his observations because he tells the truth and tells it like it really is, and no one ever wants to hear the real truth.
He can't help it if he does not really like being famous, nor can he help it that he is pretty much the best damn lyricist and drummer ever!! Its a little nerve racking to have people running after you all the time.
This book takes you through his private hell and emotional wreckage that feels like he will never come out of, and in a lot of ways he never really will. Yes he has found a new soul mate and has a renewed zest for life, but one never gets over the loss of their baby and you can see it in his eyes in recent pictures, he is not completely the same person he was before and never will be again and to say he is in need of some personal work makes me feel the both of you need personal work a lot more than he ever did!! Let's see how you handle it when you loose your loved ones.
I have more respect and admiration for Neil Peart than a lot of peope I personally know and I am glad that he was able to find the will to live.
Book Review: Introspection in a travalogue wrapper - good stuff
Summary: 5 Stars
Admittedly, as a fan of Rush, I picked this book up simply because it was written by Peart, but as a literary snob myself, there was no way I could read it with the attitude that the author could do no wrong.I was impressed. Though 'Ghost Rider' only can only marginally be called a travelogue or a self-help publication, as a source of inspiration - particularly for anyone who has dealt with grief on such a strenuous level - it's invaluable. The book was revealing, particularly in the universal ways of human frailty. Facing the loss of his family, nothing - not money, not drugs, not even friends or family - seemed to offer the comfort Peart needed to heal. What he had, however, was the means and the wherewithal to escape from all the places where memory hangs so low to the ground. As an author and lyricist, I find Peart to be brutally intellectual, a trait that, more often than not, reveals the struggling emotional child within. Here, in 'Ghost Rider,' that child comes to the surface as he goes through the phases of grief while pandering to that "little baby soul," running away to avoid memories and feeling anger for those who left him behind. Too often, when a spouse dies, the widow paints a picture of a saint and martyr. Not so here. Peart clearly addresses the fact that his relationship was strained from time to time - right up to his partners demise. We're left with an impression that this account is so indellibly REAL.
While one can easily look upon this publication as the selfish ranting of a man too narcissistic for his own good, I challenge anyone to give an example in their own lives of a time of crisis wherein they weren't self-absorbed. That's the beauty of this book. It takes these varied thoughts of pain and frustration and presents them honestly. All the while, Peart takes keen notice of the delicacy of life - not just his own, but of the world around him. His facsination with birdwatching, in particular, represents a detached longing to observe a life just out of his reach. His contempt for Americans stung a bit, but, admittedly, I understand his feeling. American tourists are often every bit as culturally deprived as Peart is snobbish.
The mechanical nature with which the book is fashioned - glimpses of letters to a friend in prison, pieces of journals mixed with weather reports and observations on flora and fauna - gave one the true sense of travel. The bike breaks down. Rain impedes the journey. The author meets people. And as this man struggling with loss sees clearly, life goes on - even without him.
I was surprised at the wonderful ending, a complete whiplash effect I hadn't forseen in any way, as abrupt as it was hopeful and sweet. I highly reccommend this book, especially for anyone dealing with a troubled time in life. I walked away from this book with the notion that as Peart found therapy in travel, so may each of us find that there is merit in these diversions we allow ourselves. Especially when they give us time to think.
Book Review: Review from a non-Rush fanatic
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, a long time ago, as an angst filled teen, I really liked Rush and saw them with Ted Nugent in the mid 70s, but then I moved on in music and life. I picked up this book because I am a fan of the genre of interesting travel writing (Bruce Chatwin and Tony Horwitz) and I recently watched "Beyond the Lighted Stage" on TV and enjoyed it. For the first half of this book I have to say I was fully engaged and believe Mr. Peart is indeed a very good writer. I have been to some of the same places and roads (thought certainly not all) and shared many impressions, including being utterly disgusted with so many Americans, but let's be fair to Neil here, he also recognized Americans with character and culture. So, I see no signs of bigotry or snobbishness, simply an honest reaction. I found his references to "kill them all" refreshing and hilarious in their unbridled honesty! His descriptions of place, his bike, his meals, wildlife, plants, roads, people... were all very interesting and engaging, again, I think due to his skill as a writer and someone who has used the form of a personal letter throughout his entire life. Kudos for all this. However, after a while I simply could not take it. I felt like someone lingering far too long and felt self conscious in an almost voyeuristic way of witnessing someone's grief and tragedy.
From some of the reviews, I can see that some real Rush fanatics can't get enough of anything Rush, but I have to add that the man said it himself in the film - it creeps him out when people have this self-made fantasy relationship with him and/or the band. Much of Rush's music has a message of individuality - so take it a little closer to the heart people and back off. It was for him, not you that he came to write this book? Assume control, assume control, assume control. Okay?
Any way, I digress. While Mr. Peart had to go through so much to heal, I was too agonized and depressed and took the easy route and literally used my Kindle to search ahead for "Gabrielle" so I could see him get through this and find a new life. As a reader, not as a music fan, I am glad to know he finally did get through this though, of course, there is no way one can ever be completely healed with something so devastating.
So, all in all it was "classic Rush" in being far too long, deep and introspective for mainstream radio, but that's okay. We should all be used to this by now right? I am giving this five stars not for editing, but for the simple fact that the book made an impression on me. It got me *thinking* quite a bit about my own life, what is important to me and how I might deal with loss if/when it comes. Nothing else can be more meaningful and important in life. I'm sorry Neil Peart or anyone has to deal with the unimaginable, but I am glad he shared what he wanted to and that I am able to take from it what I can.
Book Review: The L. Wood Hubbard Healing Road
Summary: 5 Stars
They say imitation (sarcasm) is the sincerest form of flattery...
February 13, 2006
Lac St. Brutus, Que.
Hola Brutus mi amigo,
Awakened by the ghosts of my dark, tormented soul I arose to breakfast. After squeezing the oranges and smelling the toast, we (that's you and me good buddy) decided to set out on the epic 3 kilometer (1.8 mile) journey to the local bookstore to purchase the "Ghost Rider" saga that you and I promised ourselves we would read.
Sayin? (of course you do)
The scenic 3 kilometer (1.8 mile) drive was lush with leaf-less old growth North American Oaks and Elms. There even were random scatterings of the odd Douglas fir and Black Pine. A family of Canadian geese flew by to greet me during my epic sojourn north to the bookstore. Stopping at the muddy gravel switchback, I paused for a smoke and a tall glass (okay, glasses) of the Macallan. I wept uncontrollably at the sight of it all. One step forward, one step back.
Are you with me? (of course you are)
We, (that's you and me fender bender) sauntered into the local bookstore/cafe and ordered a venti triple espresso latte, a smoked salmon baguette and New York cheesecake. ($60.00 with tip) The small shop had an excellent view of a bird feeder that a pesky squirrel was terrorizing. (Where's my nerf gun?) A fellow patron told me the store had been built on Indian land and was haunted by ghosts. (stories, always stories) I then got up, zipped up my heated leather jacket, put on my balaclava, slipped on my helmet and set out to reconnoiter the elusive book. The young book babe at the checkout told me I was a hottie! (Moi?) Ellwood just smiled coyly. A small smile curled under his top lip and he blushed. (wimmen!!)
We, (that's you and me scooter trash) then set off on the daunting 3 kilometer (1.8 mile) odyssey home to the cottage on the lake, which Keith had so meticulously manicured in my 90 minute absence. I lit a smoke, poured several tall glasses (okay, bottles) of the Macallan single malt Scotch (imported from Scotland) and started to drink, I mean read...
I enjoyed reading Ellwood's emotive tale of wretched woe, very sad at first and slowly (and I mean slowly) building upward. Sometimes overloaded with unnecessary detail, the second half (letters to Brutus) was a bit arduous to read. I recommend it to Rush fans only. Listen to Vapor trails in your helmet during the read. Oh, and don't forget the Macallan.
Sayin? (of course you do)
Your humble servant,
Ghost Reader