What do readers think of Evelyn in Transit by David Guterson? Write your own review.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This book is a slow simmer for about 3/4 of the book. Then it packs a punch. Initially, I could not understand how the two principles in the book would come together. Their lives were so different, yet they traveled some of the same principled roads. Evelyn had thoughts but did not feel the need to express them. I enjoyed her thought process through her private dialog. She just followed her own path. Tsering mostly followed the path that was set out for him, but became disillusioned by it. Evelyn was tested mightily when her son was 5 years old and she had to make a very big decision. That part of the book really made me think about how we try to lead our children and how the consequences of our decisions reflect on our children.

It took me a long time to wait for the "happenings" in this book, but I was really glad I'll stayed with the book. Had I not been reading the book for book browse, I don't know if i would have stuck with it. I'm thinking perhaps more foreshadowing in the early parts of the book may help readers stick with it until the book all unfolds? I'm so glad I stayed with the book as it provided much food for thought as well as a moment of "Oh my gosh! Never expected that!' Reading this books was a positive experience.

Story has 2 plot lines: that of Tibetan Monk and that of a female searching for her place in the world. Story ends as her son is destined to be a monk and her decision to take him to Tibet where transitions take place.
Good for book club