Title: Queen of the Road: The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 Miles, 200 Shoes, 2 Cats, 1 Poodle, a Husband, and a Bus with a Will of Its Own
Author: Doreen Orion
First published June 3, 2008
304 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780767928533 (ISBN10: 0767928539)
Rating: 3.48
Overview
In Queen of the Road, Doreen Orion takes readers on a wild ride across America in a converted bus with her outdoorsy husband, two cats, a poodle, and 200 pairs of shoes. As a self-proclaimed Long Island princess and couch potato, Doreen initially balks at the idea of a year-long road trip.
But she surprises herself by agreeing to set off on this unconventional adventure with no set itinerary. Along the way, they encounter a host of misadventures – from fires to floods to nudist RV parks – that will have readers laughing out loud.
But Doreen’s journey is also a heartwarming tale of personal growth and discovery. As she learns to appreciate the simple life and embrace new experiences, her once-rocky marriage grows stronger than ever before.
With humor, heart, and plenty of personality, Queen of the Road is a delightful memoir that will inspire readers to embrace adventure and chase their dreams.
About the Author
Meet Doreen, an award-winning author and psychiatrist who has made appearances on national media platforms such as Larry King, GMA, NPR, NYT, and People. Her book QUEEN OF THE ROAD was selected as a Borders Featured Book Club pick and Target Breakout Book.
However, Doreen considers her biggest accomplishment to be when her bus was featured as the centerfold for Bus Conversions magazine, fulfilling her lifelong dream of being Miss September.
Critics have raved about QUEEN OF THE ROAD:
– Denver Magazine describes it as “Eat, Pray, Love – without the depression.”
– The New York Post calls it a “Charles Kuralt-Albert Brooks-style romp” and “required reading.”
– The Chicago Tribune calls it a “hot summer read.”
– Elle Magazine describes it as a “fun and frothy” book that presents a lovely portrait of a marriage that treats its ups and downs with humor and grace. – The Rocky Mountain News gives it a grade A, praising its ability to capture the details of places and present the story in a witty and accessible way.
– 5280 Magazine calls it a “part travel memoir, part diva-on-a-bus-tour comedy.”
– Bestselling novelist Jonathan Kellerman says the book is “charming, insightful and hilarious.”
– Jen Lancaster, bestselling author, exclaims “I loved this book and I love this author.”
– Quick & Simple Magazine describes it as “the ultimate fantasy road trip.”
– American Way Magazine calls it a “page-turner travelogue” that is “hilarious.”
Doreen and Tim, both psychiatrists, refuse to settle for the mundane in their work and relationships. Doreen is a Long Island Princess addicted to shoes and a self-proclaimed couch potato, while Tim is an affable outdoorsman with a drive.
When Tim suggests they sell everything and travel cross-country in a converted bus, Doreen is hesitant. However, she eventually agrees to hit the road with their 60 lb.
dog, two cats, and no agenda in a 340-square-foot bus.
QUEEN OF THE ROAD is Doreen’s offbeat and romantic tale of their unconventional journey and all the misadventures that come with it.
Editoral Review
Doreen Orion’s Queen of the Road is a delightful memoir that chronicles her and her husband’s journey across 47 states, covering 22,000 miles in a bus they call “Royale”. Published in 2008, the book is a perfect blend of travelogue, love story, and comedy.
Orion, a psychiatrist and her husband, Tim, a doctor, decide to take a year-long sabbatical and explore the United States in a bus. They leave their home in Boulder, Colorado, with their two cats, a poodle, and 200 pairs of shoes, and head east.
The result is a charming and engaging book that entertains while offering a genuine perspective of the diverse cultures and people they meet. Orion’s writing style is personable, and her witty humor transforms a road trip into a lively adventure.
Her descriptions of people and places are vivid and engaging, allowing the reader to see, smell, and feel what she and her husband experience. The chapters are short and flow smoothly, making the book an easy and enjoyable read.
The memoir’s structure also includes useful tips for those planning a similar trip, such as the best places to camp, how to find the cheapest but most delicious meals, and how to avoid being scammed in tourist destinations. Orion’s memoir also raises crucial themes of conflict and growth, which are essential for a great memoir.
She and her husband face various odd and amusing situations. For example, they get lost, encounter unfriendly people, and deal with pets who are tired of being cooped up in a bus.
Ultimately, they learn to adapt and are better for it, as they come out of their journey as a more unified couple. Her memoir also examines issues of longevity, such as the key elements of having a sustainable relationship with someone and building a successful partnership.
In terms of its structure, Queen of the Road does an excellent job of providing a beginning, middle, and end to the story of the author’s trips. The book reaches its climax when the bus breaks down in Florida, leaving Orion and Tim stranded in a small town for weeks.
This part of the book is particularly gripping, and the resolution in the end only adds to the sheer sense of relief and accomplishment that comes from finishing a journey. In terms of downside, some readers may find that Orion’s memoir focuses too heavily on her and her husband’s personal experience, often at the expense of other topics.
Moreover, there are those who may not be interested in the memoir’s section detailing the author’s obsession with shoes, which is, at times, repetitive. Additionally, readers may find some of the advice Orion provides to be common knowledge, and therefore the information may be redundant.
Overall, Queen of the Road is an engaging memoir that both amuses and informs. For anyone planning a road trip, the book has valuable advice about the best routes to travel and how to deal with common challenges.
For anyone seeking a lighthearted, enjoyable read, the book has enough comedy and eccentric anecdotes to satisfy. The book is perfect for those who enjoy stories about people’s journeys, challenges, and personal growth.
Therefore, I happily recommend Queen of the Road to lovers of memoirs and those who seek a fun and enriching summer read. I would give the book 8.5 out of 10 for its engaging narrative, lighthearted tone, and inspiring insights.
