This Van Could Be Your Life

By: Mishka Shubaly

Narrated by: Mishka Shubaly

Length: 1 hr and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

From the bestselling author of The Long Run comes an emotional and adventurously funny true story of a man, a van, and a family on an epic journey of rediscovering what matters most.

It’s been a rough time for Mishka Shubaly and the women in his family. In a failed quest for something stable, they’ve all arrived at a crossroads. Divorce, unemployment, eviction, addiction, sobriety, an abusive marriage, grief, homelessness, breakups, and abandonment. Can Mishka, still single, self-doubting, and on the lost side of forty, help? Maybe. He’s got the idiotic idea of a pilgrimage from Southern California to northern Saskatchewan for a family reunion. Eight troupers in all. And so sisters, nieces, nephews, and mom (armed with a bulletproof positive attitude) pile into Mishka’s 1976 shag-carpeted Chevy van. It’s a little wounded itself but raring to go.

With four thousand miles of road ahead of them, Mishka steers headlong on a journey toward a better understanding of what defines a family, and what it means to grow up, grow apart, and get back together again - at ten miles to the gallon.

©2020 Mishka Shubaly (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved

He did it again.

This is yet another example of Mishka taking a shit show of a time in his life and making something beautiful out of it. Couldn’t recommend enough.

Pretty Good, a Bit Jarring

A REALLY honest, open portrayal of a down on his luck guy who just sticks with it. Worth the time to listen.

compelling, bittersweet and honest

This is a short and poignant memoir, told artfully. It's brimming with raw emotion, but far from any sentimentality.

Interesting

Interesting muddle through a personal mid life crisis. Trying to define his life through his family, on an event-laden crisis-after-trauma-after-problem journey in an old, barely-breathing tin can.

Incredible talented writer

Another great book by Mishka. I love all his books and music. Keep them coming please

Darkly Light Americana Tale

A sometimes humorous, often sad and defeating, this poignant short story is both engaging and unnerving at the same time. While you hover waiting to find out what happens at the end of the journey I found myself also wanting the author to hurry up and figure his glorious mess of a family out before they reached the reunion. Expertly written and narrated like on Mishka can, you won’t regret indulging in this very good, very real tale.

Can't get enough

I am a huge fan of Mr. Shubaly and his stories. That's what it is about him that makes his writing so great... he is just an amazing story teller. This audio book is much like his other writings. I like that he narrates his own work and I don't think it'd be as great with a different narrator. Mishka Shubaly is one of my favorite authors and I cannot wait for the next book.

A story about a family more realistic than the Waltons

An story of a family trip you think the The Griswold’s would deserve. In the end maybe you will realize no man Is a Island

So good it was worth me writing an awkward review!

An amazing musician, a eloquent author and a hilarious comedian. There's not much he can't do besides get everything else in his life in order. The writing is humorous and touching. The author does a great job narrating, his gravely voice really brings the story to life. After you check this out, go down the rabbit hole and find his other work.

D. B.

Struggled to finish. It was a good story but I misunderstood what the book was to be about.