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Lunch » Tags » Books » Reviews » The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian

The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian

1 rating: 5.0

The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian - General Fiction

Product Description John and Ella Robina have shared a wonderful life for more than fifty years. Now in their eighties, Ella suffers from cancer and has chosen to stop treatment. John has Alzheimer's. Yearning for one last adventure, the … see full wiki

Tags: Books, Book, Fiction

Author: Michael Zadoorian

Genre: General Fiction

Publisher: William Morrow (January 27, 2009)

Date Published: (January 27, 2009)

1 review about The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian

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A remarkable story of a true, free spirit

Mar 19, 2009

by Schtinky

Rating:

Ella and John Robina are in their 80's. Ella has incurable cancer and is in the last stages. John has Alzheimer's, and sometimes doesn't even recognize Ella. Against the doctor's strict orders, and stern cries of "No!" from their grown children (the daughter is 57), Ella and John jump into their Leisure Seeker camper one fine morning and take off from Detroit to travel Route 66 to Disneyland in CA.

The story is told in first person by Ella, who's first action is to rip off her wig and toss it out the window of the camper. No more treatments. No more wigs. John, despite his Alzheimer's, is still a good driver. He remembers the road, from all the family vacations taken during fifty years of marriage.

It's a time of bold daring, of defiance, of memories, and tender moments. A time of 'rage against time', a time of little blue pills to help the discomfort, a time for being nice and a time for being naughty. Even through the fogs of pain and Alzheimer's, Ella and John still love each other very much. "Who am I?" Ella asks John when he looks cloudy. "My lover," he answers her.

From trailer park to hotel suite, they travel old Route 66, meeting many new people. A young couple down on their luck, happy to find some caring elderly friends; a couple of murderous bandits in the middle of nowhere, and others of whom you'll feel envious for their having known such people as Ella and John. Through good and happy times, through the worst of times (when Ella falls outside and cannot rise, and John is so lost in his Alzheimer's he can't understand her) there's never even a remote question of giving up on this Last Vacation.

"Spunky" would describe Ella, but she wouldn't like you to call her that. Getting old isn't fun, and there are health and hygiene issues at hand, but sometimes rules must be tossed to the wind, just as Ella has done with her wig. Zadoorian has so completely captured the old woman's heart and soul that you'll find it difficult to believe a young man wrote this book. 'The Leisure Seeker' is an Enchanting book (with the capitol E). I see myself in Ella. I see the highways and byways of the world with them. I pass a zillion cafes all named Route 66 Diner with them. I felt their hearts beat as one. I feel lucky to have read this book. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Ten Stars. Enjoy!