English, Solitaire, Cowboy, Cuckoo...

As I’ve been reading this book, I’ve often thought about how I would review it. Every time I felt like I had finally captured my thoughts, another unexpected, madcap adventure would unfold on the following pages, forcing me to rethink my summary. Mike is one of the last great adventurers this country has produced—someone who takes on a challenge simply because it’s there, often without any plan, preparation, or thought for his own safety, recovery, or return. He embodies a certain eccentricity that is endearing and makes you want to cheer him on. I’ll admit, I found myself becoming incredibly frustrated at times. As someone who prepares, plans, and is not a risk-taker, reading this book has been akin to watching a horror film: one where you know it’s going to make you uncomfortable and make you want to look away, but you can’t help but keep watching. Mike has an encyclopedic recall of situations and encounters. The level of detail is incredible, and the vivid pictures he paints with his words are utterly absorbing. I finished the book feeling somewhat sad that Mike had never found his true love and had only encountered near misses along the way. However, I also get the sense that a partner might have caged Mike, and as we know, some birds are meant to fly free. I do think he would have made a wonderful father. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who wants to delve into the mind of an English gentleman whose wanderlust and desire for adventure completely overtook his life. The stories will leave you gasping in awe, holding your breath, and laughing out loud. Given Mike's writing style, I believe this book would make a fantastic TV series, complete with commentary and scenes rich in comedy and self-deprecation. Thank you, Mike, for writing this and keeping me so thoroughly entertained during my convalescence. It has been a privilege to read, and I hope many more will add it to their reading lists.