Journey: A Novel

I read most of James Michener’s humongous well-received epics many years ago. For the past several years, I’ve tried to absorb many of his lesser works that were always somewhat shorter. Oddly, those books seemed to be somewhat of a throwaway, and I didn’t care for the majority of them. This one, though, is much different. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the book. It’s only about 175 pages. This is probably just about the right length for a tale such as this. The story takes place over a two-year period in 1897-1898. Because of the detail of the “journey”, a lengthier book would have been possible, and maybe some would say necessary, but this book is a rather harsh read, and more definitely would not have been merrier.In 1897 a 30-something year old English aristocrat, Lord Evelyn Luton, gets the “gold” bug that infested so much of western civilization at the time. Tales of riches to be dug up in the western part of the United States and Canada brought out the greediest of many. Before we get very far, we’re already shaking our head. Hindsight of history tells us that the gold rush was much more farce than fact, and the fact that Luton seems to have spent his whole life lying on silk sheets and having servants dress him for each of his leisurely days, allows us to already smell the impending disaster of such an adventure. We must chuckle as we read. We simply know better.He teams up with three other nobles – one about his age, and a younger nephew and friend. They also bring along an Irish servant who will be assigned the more menial work for the fortunate foursome. Once the five begin their trek across the Atlantic and arrive in Canada, we know the outcome can’t be good. It seems as though there are many people with the same ambition as Luton and his party, and many of the individuals who lure these individuals are nothing more than rapacious fraudsters trying to make a quick buck. None of these hucksters care at all that they’re sending so many to their death in the frigid temperatures of Northwestern Canada towards the fabled Yukon gold fields.Once the hard part of the journey actually begins after the party leaves civilization, I have to honestly say that I was somewhat surprised with the direction the story took. I expected all five of these individuals to be dead within a matter of months, but Michener makes sure that our…uh…journey is a bit more nuanced, and we come across some surprises. That’s not to say that the trek is easy. No, not by a long shot. In fact, I think I can safely say that not everyone in the party survives.Like many of Michener’s “place” novels, the reader immediately falls in love with the location. Yes, it’s bitter cold (frequently at about -40 degrees), yes, it’s dangerous and bare, but one can’t help want to somehow be there with the characters and experience nature in the beauty that it radiated despite the hardships. As I’ve alluded, we go through the 23 months pretty quickly, and the reader needs to remind themselves that although the pages turn swiftly, our characters were actually in their particular dire circumstances a lot longer than we may allow ourselves to believe unless we remember to focus.In the afterword of the novel, Michener tells his readers that this story was first intended to be a section of his wonderful novel “Alaska”. He mentions that it would have been slightly unjust since this story doesn’t really take place IN Alaska, and it would have already made that very long book even longer. I think he did right by keeping it separate.I’ll also add that since many Michener books run in the 800–1300-page range, a new reader might be tempted to try a smaller work by him first to see if they enjoy the author’s writing style and pace. This would be a good book to try for such an endeavor. I should also point out that most of Michener’s “long” books tend to be composed of several smaller stories within a large volume. Those stories always focus on different people in different times, yet in the same place – that place is whatever the particular book title is (Alaska, Texas, Poland, Chesapeake, etc.) This book is essentially one of those “smaller” stories.So start here. If you like it, keep going. Most of the author’s works are worth the long….er….uh….journey.

A wonderful story of the 1897-1899 Gold Rush. It takes place completelyin Canada. A nobleman and four companions set out to reach the Klondike, experiencing perilous adventure along the way. I loved the character development, as I experienced joy and sadness along the way with them

Michener takes you with him wherever he goes. In his fiction he educates you; you explore with him. Don't skip over any parts - stay with him; there is reason for the path he travels.He tells wonderful stories - you will live in them. He is one of my favorite authors!

Very interesting and insightful book centering on an English group crossing Canada to the Klondike gold fields. There was so much to learn about the adventure and the area. The book was easy to follow as well as being fascinating.

Back in the day, I was a huge James Michener fan, and I thought I'd read all his books. Somehow or other, Journey slipped through the cracks, so I was eager to read it-- especially since it takes place during the Klondike Gold Rush during the late 1890s.As Michener states at the end of the book, Journey was originally a chapter in his novel, Alaska, and it had to be cut from the final edition. He liked the story so much that he kept it, and it was published as a novel in 1989. (Only someone like Michener could cut one chapter from his book and have it be long enough for a 200-page novel!)The story follows four English aristocrats and an Irish servant as they take the arduous overland route through Canada, chosen because the leader of the expedition hated America so much that he refused to let even his little toe cross the border into the U.S. In true Michener fashion, I was hooked by the story, the setting, and-- last but not least-- the characters. The U.S.-hating Lord Luton is a supreme example of his class and era, and it's a miracle my eyes didn't lock in the back of my head due to all the eye-rolling he caused me. It's hard for me not to get involved as I read a Michener novel, and Journey was no exception.If you love historical fiction that not only teaches you about history but also tells a wonderful story, you can't go wrong by reading this book-- especially since it's several hundred pages shorter than a standard Michener novel. Who knows? You may get hooked and start reading those Michener "doorstops," too. The man certainly knew how to tell a multi-generational tale, and few authors can even come close.

This book pulls you in and holds you. Who doesn't love gold and just the possibility of striking it rich? However, it is very short compared to Michener's usual 1,000 pagers and, spoiler 📢 alert: they don't get the gold, but still, an engaging read.

I am an old Michener fan. His storytelling and his prose have given us just the best historical fiction.However, as I am also a nay-sayer and often view life negatively, I believe this issue to be a farce.He seems to have had such an ego...and he can't just shut up! Why couldn't he have just admitted that Journey was another chance to sell another novel instead of a rational of B.S.? Was this novel, plus Alaska, destined to be another over 1,000 page Source?That, plus such unbelievable parts of this story just turned me off: How could the five have provisioned themselves for 2 years in that small boat? And how indeed could they survive at temps of 40 below with such provisions? And what about fuel for fires on the northern tundra...where did that come from? And when literally drowned out by mosquitos, they just happened to pull out full mosquito netting?Pure balderdash if you ask me. I'm so done with him. His saving grace is his endowments and philanthropy in his latter years..Harrah !

All the Michener books are top class, he does top rate research. Just a pity about Americanisms.

Short but sweet added further knowledge to his epic novel Alaska as some of these characters appear again in Alaska

GREAT READ

A perfect present for those who love to get immersed in their book reading material. An authentic book full of interest.

Man's endeavor and resilience in untamed land. No time to exhale while reading. What can possibly happen next. A must read.