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Sunday, April 19, 2009

Ghost Rider – Neil Peart

I read this book over a year ago and decided to write a quick review today -it really deserves one!

First, Neil Peart is the drummer for Rush, the successful (some say genius) band with lyrics that soar beyond many - even though their music is an acquired taste. Neil Peart writes most of the lyrics for Rush and is an exceptional writer in general, which brings us to one of his novels: Ghost Rider.

In a nutshell, this novel, or autobiography, is about loss and finding a way back from it.

After the death of his daughter and wife, within the span of one year, Neil is forced to come to terms with their deaths and move on with his own life. His very own philosophy of life is challenged during this process. Sad, but he has a way of addressing his grief that is very positive: he takes off on a road trip across Canada, describing in detail how he feels and the world around him, all the while making wine, restaurant and book recommendations. Sounds like denial but it's not - it's a much deeper reflection on how to survive tragedy.

Exceptional thinker and writer! No space is wasted on his page. This is not a page-turner - it demands insight and dedication and the ability to read a book as it should be read -by savouring every word.

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