Title: I Am The Ocean
Author: Samita Sarkar
Pages: 204 pages
Plot: Samita Sarkar thought she was destined to spend her entire life running. Never giving herself a moment’s rest, she studied hard and graduated from university with top grades, and then promptly began a tireless job search. But although she thought that she had done everything by the book, life still hadn’t given her any answers. She knew that God had a plan, but what was it? Stricken with anxiety while facing midsummer heat and sizable life decisions, the thrifty twenty-something Canadian–who had never before travelled for travel’s sake–purchased a discount bus ticket for what she thought would be a few weeks of reprieve in The United States. Embarking on her journey with nothing but a small suitcase, a broken handbag, a killer manicure and a copy of “The Bhagavad Gita,” Samita would spend her days wandering streets and beaches, and her nights in jostling buses or on cramped couches. Marvelling at the beauty around her, Samita finally discovered what the world has to offer to those who stop running, while learning lessons that would set the course of the rest of her life.
This book is a travel memoir of a twenty something Canadian girl who has just graduated from the university with top grades and is on an exhausting job hunt. Until one day she decides to break the monotony of life and embarks upon a physical and a spiritual journey along the east coast of the USA, on a very little sum of money and the holy ‘Bhagvat Gita’. I simply loved the references from ‘The Bhagavad Gita’ which were quoted from time to time. It truly added a flavor to the book. I loved the staunch faith she has in the almighty, her friend, Krishna.
The book takes us through the various regions of USA and brings out the peculiarity of each place. It was fun to read about the interesting characters that the author met during her journey. The entire journey molded her into the person she is today. Truly travelling alone makes you more courageous, confident and self aware. The narration is so good that I actually felt that I was traveling with the author. After reading the book, I was bit by a travel bug and I am inspired to take up a solo trip myself.
This book is recommended to all the people who love to travel and to those who are looking to choose a path for themselves rather than letting life decide the course.
Ratings- 4/5
PS: – Thanks to the author for sending a copy of the book for an honest review.
Wander Girl Life 