The Leisure Seeker: A Novel

De: Michael Zadoorian

Narrado por: Judith West

In Michael Zadoorian's The Leisure Seeker, the Robinas have shared a wonderful life for more than 60 years. Now in their 80s, Ella suffers from cancer and John has Alzheimer's. Yearning for one last adventure, the self-proclaimed "down-on-their-luck geezers" kidnap themselves from the adult children and doctors who seem to run their lives and steal away from their home in suburban Detroit on a forbidden vacation of rediscovery. With Ella as his vigilant copilot, John steers their '78 Leisure Seeker RV along the forgotten roads of Route 66 toward Disneyland in search of a past they're having a damned hard time remembering. Yet Ella is determined to prove that, when it comes to life, you can go back for seconds'' - even when everyone says you can't.

©2009, 2011 Michael Zadoorian (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Ella's wise, feisty voice turns what could be a sappy melodrama into an authentic and funny love story." ( Publishers Weekly)

" The Leisure Seeker is pretty much like life itself: joyous, painful, funny, moving, tragic, mysterious, and not to be missed." ( Booklist)

AN UNFORGETTABLE STORY!!

Highly entertaining. Read the free sample and get hooked. The main character is feisty, funny, tender, and a woman who knows her own mind. This story stands out from hundreds of books I've read. Wantl a good read, do yourself a favor and get this one!

Good narration Good story aging issues

This is an interesting journey to take with the main character who I came to the conclusion was a born narcissist. Hmmm. That is not a criticism but a fact from my POV anyway. I found myself sometimes relating to her trials, sometimes questioning her actions, and sometimes just not agreeing with her choices. Like having her very physically limited in mind and body husband drive across the states on our highways so they could take a final trip together because she needed a chouffer, mostly because she couldn't drive well, and if there were one thing he was good at even though he couldn't remember who she was or where they were, it was driving. I felt so sorry for the poor confused man quite a few times. Once vowing to give it up, return it and get my money back from audible. Because irresponsibility just grates on me, in any form, especially when it involves imposing and affecting even effecting the lives of others...not only her husband's, but anyone and everyone who happen to be on the highway or along side it.
That said, there are several areas of love and aging that are rather poignant and some things that are good to open up and address.
I'm glad I read it, also glad I'm done with it.

RV, Baloney, Wonder Bread, Profanity, Moxie, Love

Ella is the kind of woman I hope to be if I ever make it to my 80s - minus the cancer, of course. She’s tough, independent, and progressive while being sweet, loyal, and loving. Her devotion to John is endearing. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything for us, or for him. She lies, she bitches, she yells, but all the time, it’s because she loves him and she copes with his Alzheimers in a way that proves that saints don’t have to be sappy little doormats who never complain.

She has to take care of herself while John remains oblivious to her condition. And her kids! They have taken over as the “parents” in the family, and Ella wants nothing to do with it! I love it! I’m not sure how it would resonate with younger people, but for someone nearing 50 and starting to worry about aging parents and aging husband and self, it was a welcome story peppered with an older woman’s reflection about life and society and “progress.”

It’s a cautionary tale for the children of older people (don’t condescend to those who know what they want and know how to get it, and have every right to do so!!) and a challenge to the aging (don’t just accept what the doctors and the naysayers tell you - grab what life is left!).

I can’t imagine a different narrator. While I wasn’t thrilled with John’s voice or the kids, I wouldn’t trade Ella’s voice for anything.

One of my all time favorites

Let me start by saying this book definitely wouldn't be for everyone. I've listened to it twice. The first time I loved it, the second time I found it achingly sad.
It's the story of an elderly couple, both who are ill and failing. You don't know a lot about it in the beginning, so I won't let a lot of the story out here. Lets just say they decide to get out their old RV and take one last road trip while they still can.
I won't give away anything more than that as it may ruin the story for others.
I've found the book to have so many redeeming qualities. You come away from it trying to savor everything good in your own life while you still can. It teaches you to appreciate the time you have, even the little things that we all tend to ignore daily.
I like books like this that might be rough to read in places but they teach me so much about life.
The narrator in this deserves 10 stars.

Happy ending

Very well written book and the ending made it worth reading thank you! Happy reading!