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There are currently 25 member reviews
for Evelyn in Transit
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Catherine O. (Altavista, VA)
Interesting Journey
Evelyn in Transition is a unique novel, it took me longer than usual to feel immersed in this story. Shifting between Evelyn to the sixth lama named Norbu Rinpoche, I wondered how in the world this novel was going to bring those two cultures together. Like Evelyn's mother I knew more about llamas than lamas, so this book was an education. What kept me reading and rewarded me with a memorable conclusion was the unforgettable character of Evelyn. Evelyn is so real she creeps into your heart as she tries to find her purpose in life and place in this world.
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Patricia L. (Seward, AK)
How to be good…
Evelyn in Transit by David Guterson is neither a spell-binding page turner nor a literary masterpiece. Instead, the author has given us a special story of one girl and her journey to "live the right way." Rejecting her Catholic and public/alternative school upbringing Evelyn travels around the country doing odd jobs and meeting odd people. She is determined to find what she feels is missing in her life and the lives of those around her. Inevitably, she becomes pregnant and returns to her family home. Guterson also follows the life of Tsering, a Tibetan boy as he becomes an important Lama. The two never meet but their lives will come together in a unique way.
In the foreword, Guterson writes that he was befriended by a Tibetan family with familial ties to a line of high lamas when he was young. The idea for this book came from that relationship and his own experience as a father of five. Neither page turner nor masterpiece, Evelyn in Transit is poignant and funny, yet a study of everyday people in extraordinary circumstances. This book is recommended for those who try to be "good," are humbled by the weight of raising children to be "good" and are looking for a great story about others seeking the same thing.
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Barbette T. (Virginia Beach, VA)
The Enigmatic Search that is Evelyn in Transit
"All she wanted was to live the right way." Curious as to what Evelyn will consider the right way, I was ready to begin this journey but could not have anticipated the unpredictable read through Tibet, Nepal, the Midwest and Seattle that awaited me. Evelyn, whose nature is to question, and whose teacher answers her with a weary "Evelyn, stop," is a misfit seeking mostly unknowable answers to the universal questions we ask. Tsering is a Buddhist child whose world includes "sleds of frozen dung and bears with yellow fir," whose destiny is to become Norbu Rinpoche. At this point I was invested in the enigmatic journey of both characters. Where would their paths cross? As Evelyn carries 1000 stones to build a stupa and Tsering tries to fulfill his destiny, prophetic journeys, spiritual quests, dreams and transformations continue. The bridge between their worlds is accomplished masterfully, and the end of this journey is a satisfying surprise.
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Gail K. (Saratoga Springs, NY)
Tender, funny, poignant
As a long time fan of David Guterson and his books, I was eager to read Evelyn in Transit. Once. I started it, though, I was struck by its quirkiness - not much like my favorite, Snow Falling On Cedars. However, the longer I read, the more I decided to just "go with the flow" and let each character unfold and be themselves. So, Evelyn was Evelyn, Tsering was Tsering and Cliff was Cliff. I was able to appreciate each character and savor each adventure. After a leisurely read, I finished the book, and, for me, the end was stunning. This is a tender, sometimes funny, sometimes poignant telling of three lives that ultimately intersect. I enjoyed it very much and look forward to recommending it to my open-minded fellow readers.
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Marianne M. (EVANSTON, IL)
An Examination of Very Different Lives
This is a puzzling read. The author is a very good writer and the chapters describing Evelyn's childhood are very authentic. I loved the beginning and ending chapters of the novel but struggled with the middle. The timeframe is unclear and leaves you guessing. It takes place in two settings - the United States – primarily the Midwest and Northwest - but also in Tibet and Nepal. It might be helpful for the reader to know something about Buddhism and the role it plays in those cultures. I didn't find the Tibetan setting or story as compelling. The two main characters, Evelyn in the Midwest, and Tsering in Tibet, are leading very different lives; you find out in the ending chapters what ties their lives together. I would have been happy just following Evelyn's life.
It might be a good book club pick because there are interesting themes/discussion points.
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Bettie T. (Kiawah Island, SC)
An unconventional book for consideration
EVELYN IN TRANSIT is not a book for everyone. It is a book for those who like to visit unknown places and unconventional people in their reading. It is a book for those who like to think about what they are reading, and have a discussion with others about some topics not normally on their radar screen. Maybe explore a bit of comparative spirituality. Or some existential issues dealing with parenting. The structure of this book reminds me of a collage. There are lots of snippets of things that happen to the main characters, but one snippet doesn't always lead to the next one, although the book does have a roughly linear trajectory. As such, while not long, it is a bit of slow read, with a lot to digest as you go from one section to the next. The chapters generally alternate between the perspectives of the two main characters. So, with these disclaimers for those who don't appreciate anything but a good traditional storyline, I will recommend it to readers who like such challenges and the rewards that they offer. Thank you to BookBrowse for the Advance Reading Copy.
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Martha P. (Sammamish, WA)
Not what I expected
If you read Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson do not think you will find a similar story in Evelyn in Transit. That was my mistake when I requested this book for review. Guterson takes readers on a very different journey in his new book. It took me a bit to get into the story and used to the choppy writing style but Evelyn can't help but grow on you. She embodies so many essential truths about life and her haphazard trail of odd jobs just add to her authenticity and likeability. I truly enjoyed watching her thought process, her approach to life and how she handled the people around her who did not understand her. In the end the decisions she makes are deep and profound in a simplistic way, if that makes sense. Don't expect Snow Falling on Cedars and you won't be disappointed.
