Wander the Rainbow: A true story of a living liver donation, an epic journey around the world, and a gay man's search for himself [Paperback]

David has crafted a wonderfully written and multi-layered account of one man's travels across the globe. He has an eye for detail that makes for a rich reading experience, and his tone is always energetic and buoyant, which made me feel like I was right there with him during his travels. David speaks to the universal desire of yearning to know and to be known, and his story is as thought-provoking as it is poignant. I truly enjoyed it!

As I was reading this book, I was amazed to see that David Jedeikin, the author of Wander the Rainbow, had clairvoyant eyes when he arrived in Cairo on his Wander the Rainbow journey around the world. He was really prescient when he wrote of the great, ancient city, "And yet...it's hobbled, a great beast weakened by time and circumstance. .....It feels as if Cairo is just lying in wait for Egypt to rise again." How true that turned out to be! How many other insights into the history of these famous places did David experience on his journey? A lot. Read the book and you'll see what I mean. I am looking forward to his next book where I hope he wanders the rainbow of himself and tells the story of a man who gave up his liver and looked into his heart to find himself.

David Jedeikin saved a life. His partner of three years was in need of a liver transplant, so David agreed to be his living donor. Shortly afterward, they broke up. In need of a "life experience" himself, David decides to take seven months off to travel the world. Traveling as a flashpacker, David sets out on a trip across six continents.

We learn the origins of David and Bradley's relationship in the first eight page chapter actually entitled "Origins." The two are eleven years apart in age, and "in some respects come from different galaxies." Unfortunately, I didn't really have any sympathy for Bradley. He seems pompous and immature, and not very gracious toward David's decision to be his donor. Therefore, you almost feel sorry for David, especially after this quote near the end of Chapter 1:

"In every one of the places I've called home since striking out from my birthplace it's been the same cycle, again and again: anticipation, hope, optimism, a new circle of friends, a new job, sometimes a new mate. And then...disappointment. Discord. Heartbreak. And the cycle begins anew."

Wow! I'd want to escape and see the world too. Being a gay man myself, I could totally sympathize with David. I've had guys break my heart after I gave them a ring or even my heart 100%. But my liver? I can't imagine the heartbreak and turmoil David must have gone through. From California, to Denver, to his homeland of Montreal, to London, David is out of the country by page 16! Both the reader and David have put this behind them, and we're off to conquer the world.

On the cover of the book is the following description: A true story of a living liver donation, an epic journey around the world, and a gay man's search for himself. Unfortunately, that middle part rings more true than the rest. Though David briefly revisits his situation with Bradley, it is not a mainstay of the book. In fact, when the author brings it up, the subject is usually dismissed after only a sentence or two, no more than a paragraph. Instead, the book becomes more of a travel log.

In fact, his travel writing is so good David should write for Damron! He takes his readers on the journey with him in and out of hostels and bed and breakfasts, eating up local cuisine, and catching both the touristy and non-tourist attractions across the globe from London, Paris, Amsterdam, Egypt, Copenhagen, Germany, Israel, Tokyo and more!

As for the latter part of that description, we're not really treated to much self discovery. Again, when David begins to tap into how he's feeling about his previous situation, he wraps it up in just a sentence or two and quickly moves on to his next passport destination. It doesn't seem like we are learning much about David, and neither is he. Instead, we are treated to history lessons of the places he's visiting. In fact, I was a little saddened by his constant recreational use of drugs, waistline obsession, and need to get laid. I was reminded of a gay jetsetter whose physical appearance and libido are top priorities.

What did he learn from the journey? Well, it's wrapped up in the very last paragraph of the book. But by then, I had stopped reading this book as an emotional journey of a living liver donor and traded it for just a good travel journal. Jedeikin can definitely paint a picture of a place with words that makes you want to see it for yourself. As for the rest? I guess I was just expecting a bit more depth and emotion. I wanted to go to those places too.

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