FIFTY MILES WIDE
Julian Sayarer (Arcadia)
Sayarer is an award-winning travel writer: here we see why. This memoir traverses its world on two wheels, and despite his “Pedalling, always pedalling”, we as readers want to join Sayarer on his journey. And we do, for from this vantage point we get an inside view of life in Israel and Palestine as the author swerves between terrains and topics. His style is both vivid and meditative, and we are treated to some spectacular vistas along the way, as well as an ensemble of interesting characters. Simple interactions take on deeper meanings: Palestinian bread becomes a symbol of home and loss, for instance; and cyclists keep cycling despite army checkpoints determined to hinder them. Hope is found, again and again, nowhere more so than in this wonderful book.
Price: £9.99. Info: www.arcadiabooks.co.uk MJ