Wow. Two things. First, The Hike is high as all hell on LSD or something. Second, its absolutely bloody brilliant. The Hike isn’t a book for everyone. There will be a lot of people who will finish it with a “wtf did I just read”, or DNF it for the same reason. But at the same time, it’s got so much potential for 5 stars from a lot of you. Basically, I feel like you’ll either love it or hate it. I wasn’t sure about it myself for at least half of the book, but then it started going steadily up and up.

The Hike begins as a pretty weird “spirited away” sort of fairytale fantasy, but white a grown-ass 21st century white guy as the main character. It’s easy to think it will be just that, or a fairytale fantasy with decidedly weird details, but then… Then it starts getting all profound on you. And the thing is, The Hike has a way of being profound without rambling on about it. It’s mostly just weird shit happening to the main character, but the weird shit has these interludes where you can clearly see deeper meaning, and each of them starts to clue you in about what the book, as well as Ben’s (the main character’s) quest, is all about. And it keeps getting bigger and bigger, and it just draws you in, until you can’t help reading faster and faster.

Another interesting thing about this story is that… I don’t know, at least for me, the depth didn’t come through exactly consciously. The book is a work of art, and you basically just feel the ideas. They vaguely form in your mind and heart, but if you tried to explain them to someone or put them down on paper, they would evaporate like smoke on a sunny day. I’ve come to the conclusion that what this book made me feel isn’t to be put down in words, but is rather symbolic and emotional – and yet, no less profound for it.

If you like reading about the weird, if you perhaps believe in the weirder side to the world or wonder about your dreams and other kinds of existences than this one, The Hike will really speak to you. If you’re a very practical and down to earth person, you might not enjoy it. Then again, you still might! (Just prepare yourself for a higher dose of weird.) If you do decide to read it though, give it a fair chance – don’t stop halfway. It gets there.

I feel I might reread The Hike sometime, and that’s not a thing I say about many books. There’s still heaps of stuff in there l’d like to mull over, and I’m sure reading it a second time will give me a lot of new insights – it’s just one of those books. I definitely loved it and can recommend it!

What The Hike made me feel isn't to be put down in words, but is rather symbolic and emotional – and yet, no less profound for it. It's definitely quite a trip. ★★★★★ 5 stars Click To Tweet

But Beware Of The Triggers

The Hike may be triggering – it has a healthy dose of violence. Those with a fear of dogs and big bugs might want to skip some places. Some other triggers include murder, some gore, being, apart from your family, having an alcoholic dad, being bitten by a big dog. I may have missed something – this isn’t a coddling book for sure.

Have you read any books that you thought were way out there, but still very profound, gripping and unforgettable? Can you recommend me some?