Wanderlost - Softcover

Ben Olson

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0978602412 ISBN 13: 9780978602413

Publisher: Alphar Publishing, 2007

Synopsis

WANDERLOST captures the essence of that strange period of life after college and before looming adulthood; when idealism is still a good thing, when one must choose to embrace the often mediocre task of mundane existence, or burn free and live according to the principles of our hearts. It is a coming-of-age tale, a humorous road narrative and an acerbically accurate portrayal of modern America Life in all its beauty and futility, written in a personal uninhibited style of journalistic prose. Ben Olson says, "The book is a backlash to this dumb culture taken over by a crassness of people who are all passionately apathetic. This is a truthful account of a common man s struggle... and that is why it has merit. Sure it s fiction, but I only write fiction because I have to. I need the protection that it provides. Every writer knows that there is no real fiction, for what we put on the page stems from our experiences. I believe in something that will never die the notion that you can still live free in America." One desolate north Idaho winter, as Max s mailbox slowly fills with rejection slips and he nurses yet another hangover, he s overcome by a feeling of entrapment. Haunted by fears that his life is wasting away and lured by dreams of one day understanding, he decides to break with the comfort of his home and re-discover a sense of meaning. He escapes. With an Amtrak USA Rail Pass and a pack on his back, Max sets out to find America again, armed with the bitterness of his past and the yearning to find something pure again. He travels around the country, stopping and going from the train as he pleased, hitchhiking and sharing rides with drug runners, gigolos and other strangers of the American road. Wanderlost captures the essence of that strange period of life after college and before looming adulthood; when idealism is still a good thing, when one must choose to embrace the often mediocre task of mundane existence, or burn free and live according to the principles of our hearts. It is a coming-of-age tale, a humorous road narrative and an acerbically accurate portrayal of modern America Life in all its beauty and futility, written in a personal uninhibited style of journalistic prose.

About this title

From the Publisher:

This is an email from the publisher to Olson. It pretty much sums things up:

"For our part, we have recognized your part as straight shooter and find your behavior in the vein of a vain booze-sotten genius living brief moments of clarity... but your self-confidence encourages us to continue promoting you despite your self-destructive tendencies and outrageous betrayals... I am not going to suggest that another staff member take over your account because they do not want to deal with your aggravation."

From the Author:

This book evolved from years of struggle. Years of gut-wrenching poverty. Years of butting my head against the walls of the mediocre art that infests our society now. This is not a great novel - it will never be on any best-seller lists and Oprah won't select it for her book club. I don't want her to. I didn't write this for the mainstream. I wrote this for the Others of the world - the ones who never fit into the American version of society. It is a truthful account of a common man's life in a messy world, and that is why it has merit. I believe in something that will never die: the notion that you can live free and die in America, and do whatever the fuck you want to do in between the poles. Write, drink whiskey, sleep with loose women, drive fast, stay up til dawn, piss on streetcorners... I live how I want to live, I capture the moments I want to capture, and I know it is Art. I know it is Truth. I am just like you. I'm a poor bastard who has read too many great novels and has rejected the idea of the American Dream. I believe there is a literary Renaissance happening now - people are tired of reading and watching trash. This is my attempt. I wrote it in 37 days drunk on whiskey and life. Enjoy it. I'll be dead soon.

About this edition

• Publisher: Alphar Publishing
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0978602412
• ISBN 13: 9780978602413
• Binding: Perfect Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 352
• Illustrator: Zach Hagadone