Atlas of the Human Heart

i didn't get very far in this book--it was insulting. is this considered YA? i felt i was reading something intended for a sophomoric level of intelligence. i was furious at having purchased it. it's now on the top of the "to be donated" pile.

I had nearly forgotten my own teenage angsts until I picked up this book, and then I couldn't put it down! I love the Hip Mama stuff, so I gave this a shot, and I hope that there is more to come from Ariel! So thoughtful, beautifully written, exciting, inspiring. Loved it... Like a girl's On the Road. (I apologize if that's cliche.)

I could not put this book down. I heard Gore read a section at the Mamagathering in LA this summer. I bought a signed copy from her at her table and started reading the book that evening. The other reviewers are right that the book is part memoir and part travel story. If you are looking for something different and compelling read this book.

I work at a large bookstore, and I get a LOT of advanced reading copies (ARC's) from publishers. When I read on the ARC back cover of Ariel Gore's ATLAS OF THE HUMAN HEART that she was described as "Jack Kerouac's intrepid little sister..." I thought, 'Oh, puhleeeze!'Thankfully, Gore must have intervened, because that phrase is not on the final cover, and rightfully so. I remember reading Kerouac's ON THE ROAD when I was 19 (before Ariel Gore was born) and I didn't think much of it. Having hitchhiked across the US, Canada and Europe myself--back when it was a far safer mode of travel than it is now--I found Kerouac's book lacking in what I refered to then as "substance." Perhaps what I'd call it today is "Heart."Well, move over, Jack. Ariel Gore's memoir is NOT just a "chick version" of ON THE ROAD. There's more to ATLAS OF THE HUMAN HEART than drugs, alcoholic binges, and wild rides across state lines, where we're told that Neal or Jack or Allen jabbered non-stop--but we never heard exactly what they talked about. Gore's memoir is about the complexity of finding oneself while in the midst of ever-changing terrain, relationships, and communities. We get more than a wild ride form Ariel Gore; we're shown the lines on her map as clearly and intimately as she might show us the lines in the palm of her hand.Gore's thoughtful narrative illuminates her own corner of herstory with song lyrics, Tibetan philosophy, insightful musings from "unassigned readings" of literature and poetry, and the ringing bell-tone wisdom of kua's from the I-CHING. Gore gives us not only postcards and snapshots of her life, she takes us along with her on a redemptive journey across a familiar emotional landscape. We travel with a free-spirited teenager, sharing her education, not in the "School of Hard Knocks," but as Earth University Seekers, landing with her Plop--in the muddy world of youthful cohabitation and motherhood. What an intelligent, heartfelt, and honest look at one very intersting and inspiring life!

If you want to read a book of travel stories - this is the adventure for you. It is a wonderful feeling to hold a good book in your hands, enter it's realm and have the story come alive in your minds eye. Ariel Gore is a cool young protagonist, short on words and long on action-like if Clint Eastwood was a northern California girl child raised by hippies-but the words she chooses pack a heavy punch. How can she say so much in one short paragraph? Or pick the perfect sentence, through out the deepest reference? I certainly never write anything like "We made our way across a rocky field, but when I looked down in the pale predawn light, they weren't rocks under my boots-they were bones." But then I've never been to Tibet! There are a lot of on the road stories: but these tales of China; Beijing; Hong Kong; New Delhi; Katmandu; Amsterdam; and Europe- shoot! I mean these are some real true wild treks! And the geography couldn't be relayed any better than by the 17 year old poet who is making the journey: like some fairy tale girl who goes on a surreal trip of the soul, turning corners, making choices bases on one wild chance encounter after another. The people she encounters further help us enter a world different than our own and learn about life. But the way she is open to these chance encounters, and flings herself out into the world like a true surrealist traveler-and has the words to tell us about it, is what makes this book. I am very proud to see women of my generation creating a whole new breed of novels, can relate with the early 80's Reagan Years stuff. When I was growing up, most of the coming of age tales like this were written by males. She speaks to me, from a place I can understand; but Ariel Gore also has a distinct unique voice and viewpoint all of her own-making this book stick out. The map illustrations by Maria Fabulosa look very Hobbit like to me and further my enjoyment of making me feel like the eight year old I was when I traveled with Bilbo Bagins. I know Ariel has written other books on parenting, (always thought she had a righteous attitude) but I never got into them like this. I feel she might be coming into her own as a full bloomed novelist and can't wait to see what she does next.

I can't recommend this book enough. Ariel calls it a novel/memoir, i call it creative nonfiction at it's finest. it's the story of three or so years she spent traveling around europe and asia, alone, from ages 16-19, and the amazing and wonderful and dark adventures she has, from smuggling to panhandling to meditating in tibet. the writing is just beautiful, lyrical and poetic and evocative. the most amazing thing about the book, for me, is that in some ways, very few people have had the kind of life that she has had, but she has a way of distilling some of the essential emotions so that you can relate to what she's feeling, even if you're never been a jewel smuggler (like many people!). if you've ever had a lifechanging experience, and wondered how in the hell you were going to recover and move on, you'll relate to this book.