Rubies and Rucksacks
A debut novel
by Mel Christie William M Christie
The plan was to spend a year in Southeast Asia, China, and Japan, in search of life, love, and meaning. But with hustlers, mercenaries, jailors, and a Brotherhood of Nigerians in the way, the search took much longer—and it required going further afield.
For fans of THE WHITE LOTUS, this genre bending work is the budget version—think less Four Seasons, more Four Cockroaches in a Dorm. Its protagonist navigates the traveller guest houses with antics like Rick Steves in ON THE HIPPIE TRAIL, but the stories ratchet up the drama and pressure the unexpected, rather than remain wholly faithful to memory. Similar to Elizabeth Gilbert’s ambitions in EAT PRAY LOVE, the interconnected narratives of Seeking Sanook focus on our ever-youthful desire for escape while offering even more locations to get lost in.
Bonus. Girlfriends and Sisters
Haroun was of a naturally nervous disposition. Already self-conscious and clumsy, this also made him appear stupid in other people’s eyes which then exaggerated his already scattered behaviour.