The Long Hitch Home

Travel writer Maslin (Iranian Rappers and Persian Porn) delivers a unique but uneven account of hitchhiking from Australia to London, relying on free rides and meals from people whose customs and languages are unknown to him. Throughout, Maslin waxes philosophical about the wonders of hitchhiking. The locations he visits range from depressing to breathtaking, and he provides just enough historical context to capture each place. However, his disdain for other tourists seems to clash with some of his own antics: antagonizing a driver after assuming the guy was planning to rip him off, attempting to bribe officials, and ignoring a ban on traveling near an active volcano. His afterthought acknowledgement of the privilege of coming from a wealthy country seems insufficient. He also emphasizes the earlier parts of his trip, skipping nearly all of Europe. Nevertheless, this harrowing and brutally honest chronicle of Maslin’s journey is gripping from start to finish. Agent: Lucas Hunt, Philip G. Spitzer Literary Agency.(Feb.)