A young man's journey of self-discovery continues in "On the Kalalau Trail," the inspiring, heartfelt second entry of author Robin Reardon's compelling, contemplative "Trailblazer" series.
In the first book, "On Chocorua," Reardon introduced Nathan Bartlett, a recently out freshman at the University of New Hampshire. There he meets his roommate, Larry "El Speed," who becomes his best friend. Nathan also experiences his first crush, Daniel, and his first love, Alden. Friendship and romances aside, Nathan is understandably most shaken and scarred when his older brother, Neil, dies in a fire while on a hike.
Now with graduation on the horizon, like most seniors, Nathan is unsure what his future has in store. During a hike, he becomes acquainted with Conroy, an older handsome stranger who arranges group excursions to trails around the country. Conroy's enthusiasm for his favorite trail, the Kaua'i trail in Hawaii, leaves a heavy, lasting impression on Nathan because it reminds him of Neil's immeasurable admiration for nature.
Having lost his parents and then his brother, Nathan has inarguably endured more than the average college student. Although he is presumably mature beyond his years and seems pretty well adjusted, the author continuously and effectively reminds us how sensitive and gullible he still is - even childlike, on occasion.
When El Speed gets engaged and starts spending more time with his fiancée, Ellie, Nathan is sincerely happy for him but quietly resents their relationship. Meanwhile, because Conroy's actions and words clearly indicate he isn't interested in anything steady or serious, Nathan feels rejected and insecure around him.
Unexpectedly (and due to unfortunate circumstances), Nathan and his sister, Nina, inherit a large sum of money. Somewhat impulsively - and much to Nina's chagrin and El Speed's disappointment - Nathan joins Conroy on his next voyage to Kaua'i, where he hopes the experience will provide some clarity and direction.
While Nathan's story falls into the coming-of-age category, "On the Kalalau Trail" is better labeled as an intense character study, influenced by nature, travel, grief, lust, and youthful ambition. The author describes his mountainous adventures with colorful, intricate detail, and his voice and thoughts are equally indicative of Nathan's fledgling disposition.
With another volume forthcoming, Reardon leaves us breathlessly anticipating whatever further adventure and excitement awaits Nathan.
Some years ago, Kensington Books published many LGBT books at a time when it could have meant disaster for the publishing house. One of their authors was a woman named Robin Reardon who wrote beautiful books about young gay men, the worlds they lived in and the problems they faced. After reading her first book, I fell in love with what Reardon had to say and wished that her books had been around when I was discovering my sexuality. The most difficult thing that so many face is self-discovery and self-acceptance. Discovering oneself requires work mainly because by the time we get around to it, we are already somebody. We certainly see that in “On the Kalalau Trail” with Nathan Bartlett who is surprised by the amount of work this takes.
Life dealt Nathan two difficult blows—the death of his brother and of his parents and with them gone, Nathan realizes that something was missing in his relationship with them— he felt that he had not gotten to know and love them as much as he should have. Their death also lead him to his own personal journey of realizing that he does not belong anywhere. He meets Conroy Finnegan, a professional hiker who becomes a guide and a love interest for him. Nathan finds Conroy sexy and charismatic and is soon seduced by who Conroy is and his ability to take him to beauty. In fact, we might say, that Conroy leads Nathan to and on his journey. We become onlookers and as we get to know both characters we understand that we are with them for the important moments.
“On The Kalalau Trail” is the second book in the Trailblazer trilogy. By the time we finish the three books, we will have been there for “his [Nathan’s] first love, his successes and failures, and the maturity he gains along the way.” While this is a trilogy, each book stands on its own. Reading all three (the third, I understand, is in progress) enhances the experience (and gives us something to wait for).
Nathan’s journey of self-discovery is heartfelt and inspiring. It picks up where the first book, “On Chocorua” left off. We already have been introduced to Nathan Bartlett, a recently-out freshman in college. His roommate, Larry “El Speed,” becomes his best friend and Nathan has his first crush, Daniel, and his first love, Alden. Everything changes, however, when his older brother, Neil, dies in a fire while on a hike.
In “On the Kalalau Trial”, Nathan is now a senior at the University of New Hampshire but just doesn’t know how to jump start his intentions. He knows he wants to continue in psychology and go to grad school, but he has dragged his feet for so long that he now has to figure out what to do during the gap year he’s forced himself to take.
Once while hiking, he meets Conroy who leads group hikes around the country. Nathan is enticed by Conroy’s speaking about his favorite trail, the Kalalau in Hawai’i, and this leaves quite the impression on him because it reminds him of his brother’s love and admiration of nature. Reardon gives us two sides of Nathan—the strong exterior who is able to deal with death and then carry on and the sensitive and sometimes childish Nathan who is looking for who he is.
When El Speed becomes engaged to his fiancée, Ellie, Nathan is happy for him yet he resents their relationship because the two have spent so much time together. At the same time, Nathan realizes that he does not get the attention from Conroy that he thinks he deserves and understands that anything serious between the two will not happen. Nathan begins to feel insecure but despite that he joins Conroy on his next voyage to Kaua’i, where he hopes the experience will give him a sense of clarity and direction. We learn that Nathan and his sister, Nina, inherit a good deal of money and this is what allows Nathan to make the trip.
Nathan is not only the main character but he propels the story which is, in fact, a character study of him. We see him as he is influenced by whatever is around him and we are privy to his thoughts and actions as well as to his journey. In reading about him, we also read about ourselves and this is Robin Reardon’s great skill. She allows us to find ourselves in her characters whom she develops in her own special and gorgeous prose. After all, do we ever stop coming of age? While Nathan takes center stage, we learn about life through him. He is both complex and simple and he is totally endearing. If you have not yet met him, you are missing out on a new friend and a wonderful character.
For those of you in the Boston area (and for those who want to make a trip here), Robin Reardon will be speaking at Temple Sinai on December 20, 2019 at the Rainbow Sabbath and delivering a message to and about queer youth. It should be as beautiful an evening as her book.
