The Journey of Coyote Sunrise
By Janhavi B.
Being a good book is hard work, only a few succeed, and even fewer survive or last; and I might take this opportunity to be a bit boastful, and say it is thanks to my queer taste that I have found another survivor, which goes by the name of ‘The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise.’
It is not one of my latest reads, more like something I read a year or two ago? Despite the time that has passed since I read it, it still has a great impact on my mind and leads to tears every now and then.
The book follows the story of a young hippie girl and her father, as they live on a bus cum home, with limited clothes, unlimited books, no rules and probably a suitcase of memories and regrets locked away in their heart’s. It starts from a random point where Coyote adopts a cat while at a gas station and then fast forwards to a call from her grandmother explaining that the garden in their old neighbourhood is about to be bulldozed out of the way.
It is later explained that her mother and sisters expired in a car crash, (no spoilers) making it impossible for the father and daughter to stay there, resulting in the makeshift bus. As Coyote says, they are pilgrims on a quest for something that may or may not exist; that is until she is told about the park, which holds a memory box she had buried with her mom and sisters, and probably the answer to the question: What are Coyote and her father driving towards?
If you are a family reading this, join the Sunrises as they head for an unforgettable journey of truth, love and trust.
If you are a teenager reading this, dive in with Coyote as she wraps her head around balancing between being a good daughter, healing herself, and growing up with only a father for family.
If you are a parent reading this, come along with Rodeo (Coyote’s dad), trying to keep his daughter safe while wrapped in his own worries and memories.
If I have to talk about the themes, I must acknowledge Dan Gemeinhart’s way of bringing sensitive topics to life through broken yet sensitive characters. As the Sunrises travel, they meet some other pilgrims on quests like them whom they take in. The list includes: Val; a girl fighting for her right to be herself and love whomsoever she likes. Lester; a man ready to give it all up for his lady love. Salvador; an only child who has come with his mother, in hopes of building a new life and getting over the guilt of not being able to protect her. Mrs. Vega; the single mother of a son looking to start a new life away from her abusive husband.
Saying goodbye to these endearing people was hard for me, and might be for you too, because they end up teaching us many more lessons than you could ever know.
For me, it was a ten on ten read overall, no parts have been stretched or cut short, no unnecessary relationship is involved and a few surprise elements have been included to keep the reader engaged till the last page.
That is all from my side today and I wish for you to have as good a read as I did…
Love,
Janhavi B
J's Musings 
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