I really liked this book.

I found it quite interesting to read a Franco-Canadian perspective related to the history and heritage of colonization and westward expansion.

I see that there are comments saying that this book has not aged well. On the one hand, I agree with them. Certainly, if this book had been written today, some themes would have been better executed.

But on the other hand, I also find that what Jacques Poulin is trying to do is not something bad.

A large part of Volkswagen Blues is the confrontation with the memory and history of the explorers/colonizers, and I find it rather clear that Poulin is trying to make us accept the violence and betrayal that are so integral in the history of whites in North America.

I imagine that at the time this novel was published, this reality might have been less accepted. (But I was born after the 80s, so I don't know.)

I also liked the character of the Grande Sauterelle, and I find that her behavior and identity crisis suggest a very interesting nuance (even if perhaps it was not very explored).

In summary, if you want to read a road trip novel just for pleasure and you are not too invested in the analysis of the history of North America, I would recommend this book.

But if you expect to read a true reflection on the colonization of America, maybe you should look elsewhere.

Decidedly, the "classics" are not for me.

The characters have behaviors or attitudes that no one has in real life and it annoys me enormously!!!

For example, in some classic novels, the heroes are often depicted as overly perfect, with no flaws or weaknesses. They always make the right decisions and achieve great things effortlessly. This kind of portrayal seems so unrealistic to me.

In addition, the language used in the classics is sometimes very difficult to understand, full of archaic words and complex sentence structures. It takes a lot of time and effort to read and understand them, which makes me feel very frustrated.

Maybe I just don't have the taste for the classics, but I still prefer modern works that are more贴近 to real life and easier to understand.

One of my absolute favourites is a particular piece of literature.

I first read it during my university days, and it has since held a special place in my heart.

Whenever I have the urge to immerse myself in a captivating story or gain new insights, I always come back to it.

The characters in this work are so vividly portrayed that they seem to leap off the page and into my imagination.

The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep me on the edge of my seat, eager to discover what will happen next.

Moreover, the themes explored in the story are both profound and relatable, making me reflect on my own life and experiences.

It truly is a masterpiece that I can never get enough of.

I like the idea of this novel but I think it is too long for its plot.

This novel is a famous work in children's literature. In my opinion, it has a good idea, but it is extremely long.

The length of the novel might cause some readers to lose interest along the way.

However, it also has its own charm. The detailed description and rich imagination in the story can bring readers into a wonderful world.

Maybe if the author could shorten the story a little bit without sacrificing the essence of the plot, it would be more attractive to readers.

Overall, although this novel has some drawbacks in terms of length, it is still a valuable work that is worth reading.

It was truly at its best when it came to exploring the profound connections between the land and the text, as well as the word and the world. This aspect added a layer of depth and richness to the overall narrative. However, it felt rather strange when it attempted to draw connections between the book and other great novelists such as Bellow and Hemingway. The connection seemed forced and not as seamless as it could have been. In fact, the connection was best made via history books. This provided a more natural and logical link, allowing the reader to better understand the context and significance of the story. Despite this minor flaw, the book had a great ending. It left the reader with a sense of satisfaction and a desire to reflect on the themes and ideas presented throughout the text.

Chop Suey, the MVP!

What a truly wonderful book it is!

Two individuals encounter each other in the charming city of Quebec. Subsequently, they embark on an extraordinary journey across the vast continent, traveling all the way to San Francisco in a Volkswagen Bus.

This remarkable book is a captivating blend of memories, rich history, intense longing, and profound searching.

As I delved into its pages, it had the magical ability to make me experience pure happiness.

The descriptions of the landscapes, the interactions between the characters, and the overall narrative were so engaging that I was completely immersed in the story.

It made me dream of my own adventures and appreciate the beauty and diversity of the places they visited.

This book is not just a simple read; it is a literary gem that leaves a lasting impression and fills the reader's heart with joy and inspiration.

From the very first sentence of this book, I knew it was going to be something truly special. And I was right. Right from the first page, it had me under its spell and wouldn't let go. And by the way – my biggest dream is to one day embark on a road trip with an old bully myself.

The author's language is pleasant, and although I stumbled a little over the French terminology here and there (it's been quite a while since I had the language in school), it didn't in any way disrupt the flow of reading. The two main characters are very special yet likable in their own unique way. In combination with the cat Chop Suey, it's a delightfully entertaining combination. At first glance, they seem not to fit together at all, but then they constantly complement each other perfectly. They set off on a search across America for the brother of the male character, Jack. They wander through museums and libraries and follow vague clues. Along the way, they constantly encounter special people with their own unique stories.

In general, a certain nostalgic atmosphere pervades the entire book, paired with a sensitive and delicate mood. I really liked this while reading and it was simply perfect for the setting and overall tone of the work. In addition, one constantly gets interesting cultural-historical legends about the settlement of America and other exciting information about the history of America. The legends and information were underlined by some pictures and illustrations, which was unusual but still very informative and exciting. The ending left me a bit不知所措, but seen in the overall context, it was the most harmonious and appropriate ending this book could have had.

Overall, a wonderful book about a very special kind of road trip, with special protagonists and special encounters. All in all, definitely a highlight of my September reading. Therefore, 5 out of 5 stars.

This reading has made me deeply uncomfortable, and I have great difficulty expressing exactly why.

I find that in general, the novel has not aged well as it explores the indigenous identity at a time when precisely the indigenous people had no voice. In short, I am aware that I cannot blame the author for this, but still, it really made me uncomfortable to read about a white man realizing the horrors of colonialism and its impacts on indigenous communities. It is outdated as a reading and a bit tone-deaf in today's climate. Then, the simple fact that it is a historical novel that follows the vision of "On the road" by Kerouac, with a falsely "profound" narrator and bordering on narcissistic, was already enough to bore me to death.

I do not understand the literary value of this novel that would give it the importance of being read in a university course. Its quality as a "classic" Quebecois is completely lost on me.

The writing in this work is rather lackluster.

It doesn't possess any remarkable qualities, nor is it distinct in any particular aspect. Instead, it is simplistic, and at times, it can even come across as somewhat childish and boring.

Poulin was clearly inspired by Kerouac, as evidenced by the fact that this is a road novel and there is a search for someone. In this case, the protagonist is seeking his long lost brother, similar to how in "On the Road" there is a somewhat faded search for Dean Moriarty's father. However, the resemblances end there.

There is no sense of greatness or awe for the road in this work. There is definitely no grand wonder at the simple act of existing. Everything seems to fall into a habitual pattern. The characters are dull and flat, easily manipulated by the writer. It makes for a rather painful read indeed.

Bien que je comprenne que ce livre puisse ne pas correspondre aux goûts des adolescents qui ont à le lire pour un cours,

à mon âge, et avec mon expérience de vie, je l’ai vraiment adoré.

Je soupçonne que la version en anglais n’a pas été très bien traduite quand je lis les autres reviews ici,

mais pour ma part, j’ai trouvé l’écriture parfait.

Ayant vécu au Québec et aux États-Unis, la rencontre culturelle entre les deux m’a fait chaude au cœur.

I understand that this book may not appeal to the tastes of adolescents who have to read it for a course. However, at my age and with my life experience, I truly loved it. I suspect that the English version may not have been very well translated when I read the other reviews here. But for me, I found the writing to be perfect. Having lived in Quebec and the United States, the cultural encounter between the two has warmed my heart. It's interesting to see how different cultures can come together and create something beautiful. This book has allowed me to explore that aspect and has given me a new perspective on life. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in cultural diversity and the power of language.

Despite the disappointing end, the themes addressed as well as the story in general really touched me.

The way the various themes were explored throughout the narrative was truly captivating. It made me think deeply about different aspects of life, relationships, and society.

The story itself had a certain charm that kept me engaged from beginning to end. Even though the conclusion wasn't what I had hoped for, it didn't overshadow the overall impact that the story had on me.

I found myself empathizing with the characters and their struggles, which added an extra layer of depth to my reading experience.

Overall, this piece of work left a lasting impression on me, and I will surely remember it for a long time to come.