Book Review: Conversations Across America by Kari Loya

Conversations Across America: A Father and Son, Alzheimer's, and 300 Conversations Along the TransAmerica Bike Trail that Capture the Soul of America by Kari Loya is a story that from suffering sees the blossoming of pure and unstoppable new joy of living, the absolute beauty of the discovery of the other, the magic of feeling human and brings us to know the most common of degenerative dementias: Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's is the reality of many families, and more and more studies and research are being carried out to better understand it and seek a cure. However, there is still little clear information to answer the questions of patients. The battle against Alzheimer's is an emotional and engaging journey animated by the hope that the most precious gift we have will not remain so impenetrable for long.

The protagonists of the book are Merv, a father and Kari, the son who decide to go out of the box and take a trip in bicycles from east coast to west coast of USA, traveling along the historic routes. Kari has decided to do what he still has never done, which he has always put off, because that's how he goes in life.

Merv and Kari will be more than traveling companions, they will be, for each other, a cure, a help, a support, a soothing for their wounds. It will be a journey that we will face together with these two guys, a journey through which we will discover pieces of their lives, until we recompose that puzzle that will show us who Merv and Kari are today.

And so, on bicycles, through fragrant woods, noisy streams, paths and streets that wind between the trails of the Appalachian Mountains and certain beautiful villages in Teton, a father and son set out. Thus, will begin their journey, which will lead them to discover themselves slowly.

And this will also be for us readers, this novel: a long journey that will lead us to meet two people who life has already put in front of insurmountable pains. A journey through their dull gazes, heavy silences and smiles that, slowly, will reappear on their lips!

A novel on the road, in the company of this duo who, among many difficulties, embark on a sweet adventure that will give them yet another thrill of life: a wonderful journey along the places of their dreams and towards new shores to be discovered.

The journey runs through different slopes, like the tributaries of a river that end up composing a mighty and wild torrent. A trip that takes place on the surface of America, but that exposes and transforms the internal geography of its characters. An experience full of meanings, of small nuances and great events, which manages to focus on a different perspective of life, previously blurred.

It accompanies the reader to understand the many faces of a disease such as Alzheimer's, seen by one who have experienced it directly in his father, and as often happens, with passion and participation, has investigated and followed up through real life testimonies and interviews. This makes the text more captivating and spurs towards a more personal reflection.

In this book you will also find testimonials and information to document yourself with real experiences on how to deal with this disease. Each of them reveals their eyes, tells of wanting to belong to him, offers their sincere gestures, bringing with them their own unconscious baggage of real life.

In this regard, the text proposes an exploration conducted starting from the point of view of those who, marked by the disease, find themselves looking for a meaning to the existential fracture they are experiencing, to face and solve countless daily problems and manage the interpersonal relationships that surround them to seek creative solutions for unique and unrepeatable problems, to get involved in uncertain and emotionally engaging territories.

Kari Loya takes us unhurriedly on a journey tinged with enigma, enriching the stakes more and more, putting us in front of a mosaic of characters, books and quotes united by a single thread, the thread of memory. Kari pours out his personal sensitivity and mature experience. There is even a nice explosion of originality! The rest is to all intents and purposes a formative novel of full and healthy inventiveness.

As he recounts his own father's condition, Kari Loya not only educates but offers inspiration that will help readers face and manage these circumstances. Kari encourages readers, helping them shoulder new and often difficult responsibilities. And he makes recommendations that families can put into practice to make the experience safer, more loving, and more bearable for everyone.

Between the pages of this novel, the author gives us a realistic picture of the problems that arise in a family when someone shows the first symptoms. Shame is felt when dealing with the symptoms of disease in public, when a disease is not physical it is extremely difficult to understand.

Conversations Across America is a story of renascence and growth at the same time, of encounters and losses, in which the protagonists created by the author's pen are the winners, but it is also, and above all, the story that, thanks to the wonderful descriptions of the places visited by Merv and Kari, allows the reader to daydream.

It is striking how the author manages to make emotions come alive; it doesn't have to be easy to talk about a disease like Alzheimer's. Also in this novel, Kari reserves us a very sweet narrative that tears more than a tear. The emotions, the tears, the smiles, and the rain under the trees remain on the skin; in the eye, a blue sky overlooking the mountains, a fiery sunset, the dawn in the golden alleys of a small village.

As a novel with such a delicate theme, there is a very strong emotional involvement. The style of writing allowed me to enjoy the story as I wanted. I am very undecided about the words to dedicate to this book, the story is intense, especially for the details on which the author chooses to dwell.

Conversations Across America is a well-researched and thoughtful book. By the end, readers will understand more about Alzheimer's. A touching, fluid, book, with a journey into the abyss of the mind, I recommend reading to anyone who wants to feel comforted by not being alone in dealing with this human drama. It is said that having a companion reduces the pain. It is a precious and captivating book, written with brilliant style, and with equal precision.