The Reader Travels

I’m sure I’m not the only person who had to memorize Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” in high school.  It’s all about choosing a path that’s different from the mainstream, about finding beauty in things that others don’t see.  Maybe the teachers were trying some sort of deep programming to tell us we didn’t have to take drugs just because everyone else was doing it. Or maybe I’m reading too much into it.

Anyway, I like this idea of individuality, of choosing a path in life that’s different from the norm. But when I’m driving, I’m all about the path of least resistance. At rush hour, it means I’m taking a slower road with less traffic and well-timed lights. But when I’m on a long trip, it usually means driving on a wide road with lots of lanes and no traffic lights. Yes, I’m talking about the Interstate. 

And that’s what Larry McMurtry’s all about in Roads. He has an individual’s perspective on the road oft traveled, but instead of focusing on that individuality, he’s connecting to a common experience. He’s linking folks together with a smooth stretch of highway.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 11th, 2009 at 5:29 pm and is filed under road tripping. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.