Trip '89

I was given a copy of Trip ‘89 by the author Chris while we were both attending a local authors book fair. I loved the premise, I’ve always really enjoyed road trip books that transport you to different places and different times. Trip ‘89 is pure nostalgia for me, rich with references to my childhood and of a now long gone era, it was the ideal book to read while soaking up the sun on holiday.

The book is written from the point of view of Cea, a young man who is at a crossroads in his life, unsure what he wants to do or who he wants to be. He decides to buy a camper van and sets off on a voyage into the unknown that leads him to the south west of England and a summer of adventure, discovery, relationships and mischief. Cea is a character it’s easy to root for and who is both lovable and flawed at the same time. As the name of the book suggests, Cea is rather partial to the occasional (actually not that occasional) psychedelic, and his drug use is often catalyst for some of the more wild and crazy escapades.

I loved many of the characters that come and go during the story. Each one bringing something to Cea’s personal journey and enriching him in some way. From the fudge selling Eddi, his hippy friend New, and of course the various female encounters such as Gigi, Effy and Becca. Some characters are fleeting whereas others are more central to Cea’s story. Yet all are painted so richly that you really feel like you know them and feel a deep understanding of how they are shaping Cea (for good or for bad).

If you are a child of the 80s then I recommend that you read this book. If you aren’t a child of the 80s but want to be transported back to that time then you should also read this book!