[A version of this review was posted on the now-defunct http://blogs.bootsnall.com/flexible/ on December 13, 2005 and has been revised and posted here in a gratuitous attempt to add some quick content]
After almost seven years, I finally got a chance recently to sit down and re-read the first travel narrative I ever read. Perhaps my favorite travel book (by one of my favorite writers), The Masked Rider chronicles Peart's month-long bicycle tour through Cameroon, West Africa, as part of a five-person group. Being a fan of both Peart’s band RUSH (Peart is the drummer and lyricist) and Peart's various essays, I was very excited to grab a copy at one of their shows (much better choice than a $25 shirt). With a friendly conversational tone, Peart describes in colorful detail the numerous local characters and modern inconveniences his group encounters along the way.
From bumpy terrain to hotels with no electricity or running water to arbitrary and lengthy bureaucratic procedures, Peart shows us we’re not in Kansas anymore (or, in his case, Canada, eh?). But while he gently plays on our fears of the foreign, he also exposes us to a people who are mostly friendly and curious rather than threatening and rude. I really enjoyed his perspective throughout, especially his detailed observations of the diverse cultures along the route. (Peart gets a lot of thinking time in while cycling—often solo—between rest stops.) It surprises me how one can visit a culture and be able to dissect and describe its many facets (religion, politics, etc.), especially since I can barely retain the most basic information on a trip. [Pico Iyer could crank out a 100-page breakdown of the various Nepalese religious ceremonies, eating habits, and mating rituals from a 20-minute layover at Kathmandu Airport. While I don’t always prefer that style of writing, I envy anyone who can pull it off.]
But Peart also keeps the story moving along with some good action and interaction. While most of the trip is spent en route, the various stops along the way give us a nice feel of daily Cameroonian (Camerooner? Cameroonie?) life. Most travelers would agree that the best parts of the book, just like any journey, are the interactions with the locals, and Peart meets plenty to give us a better understanding of the African way of life and the folks who live it. With a dry wit and thoughtful observations, Peart lets us sit on his handlebars as he takes along for the ride.*
*Disclaimer: Peart doesn’t literally let us sit on his handlebars. Purchasing the book through the link below will not guarantee you a ride on his handlebars in Africa or anywhere else. But hey, it doesn’t hurt to try, so feel free to click the link or the book cover image and buy your pretty little self a copy. Proceeds from sales of this book will go directly to me. I'll be rich, I tells ya. Rich! Muahahaha!
Who might particularly enjoy this book
-Neil Peart fans
-RUSH fans (perhaps, although there's not much mention of the band specifically)
-Bicycle enthusiasts
-Anyone planning to travel through West Africa, especially Cameroon
-Perhaps fans of Pico Iyer’s style of writing
Who might not enjoy this book
-Elsa (read the book to understand)
-People afraid of the occasional big word here or there
-Anyone with strong xenophobic tendencies
FYI: I got my copy at a Rush concert (paid full price).
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