The Road Taken

Overview

The Road Taken is the narrative of the dramatic life and shocking death of Lew Holle, a complex, fascinating, and ultimately tragic character. The book is based on his memoirs, which was bequeathed to the author Michael Foss, who adds his own recollections of this remarkable man. Holle's life moves from his bleak rural Canadian roots to the sun-baked terrain of southern Spain; he becomes embroilled in drug-trafficing in Morocco, and serves time in an Italian jail. Returning at the end of his life to his family's land in Canada, he chooses to take his own life rather than fall victim to disease. Holle found solace in words and stories throughout his life and, fittingly, his own story is beautifully told by an award-winning writer and close friend.

Reviews

"A haunting and moving book . . . at once a gripping road novel, a completely convincing story of drug smuggling, and a pilgrimage. The nomadic Lew . . . is one of the most memorable characters I've come across in recent fiction . . . recalls the colourful exploits of Kerouac and Hemingway."  —Margaret Drabble, author, The Seven Sisters

Author Biography

Michael Foss is the author of Out of India: A Raj Childhood.