Rat Rod or Stretch Limo?

Thought for the day: No matter what the destination, we should always try to enjoy the ride.

There's all kinds of rides. I'm not sure what it says about me, but the vehicle that most captured my imagination at a recent car show is this rat rod pictured at the left. Some people may consider rat rods to be ... er... ratty, but I think of them as filled with imagination, whimsy, and ingenuity. Clever. Folk art. Fun.

I'd really love to take a ride in Sir Rat's vehicle there, and I can hardly wait to take a spin in my husband's Model A rat rod when she's ready to roll. He took her out briefly on our front street just to see what she can do, and suffice it to say, she can do a LOT. Matter of fact, with all the muscle he's built into her, I'm afraid the FAA may want to slap an ID number on her tail. At any rate, I'll wait until she's road-legal before I join him for a real ride, but when I do, no doubt, we'll be sitting tall in the seat as we vroom down the street. And we'll take pride in the ride. No matter where we go.

If you think about it, that's kinda like a good book. Now, wait a minute. Bear with me, and I'll explain.

The way I see it, there are two very important elements to consider in any book: the ride and the destination. The destination, of course, is the outcome of the story, and the ride is the plotting and telling of it. I'm rather partial to an upbeat happy-ever-after destination and story ending. But, you know what? If the ride is enjoyable enough, and the driver skillful enough, I don't much care about the destination. Kinda like cruising in the old days. Remember how enjoyable it was to drive aimlessly around town with your favorite guy or gal beside you, and your favorite tunes playing on the radio? No particular place to go, and no particular time to get there. Just cruising, and taking pride in the ride.

Now, of course, if the car ends up flying off a cliff, or the story ends up with a ridiculous no-sense-at-all ending, I'm not gonna be happy. But still, a great ride is a glorious thing.

On the other hand, if the ride or story-telling isn't enjoyable --- bumpy roads; too fast or too slow; lousy scenery; an unsympathetic character driving the story; unpleasant riding companions --- I may simply get out of the vehicle, or toss the book aside, and never even make it to the final destination, no matter how awesome that destination may be.

You see the similarities?

Now then, I'd like to tell you about one book in particular.

I won't risk offending the author by comparing her book to a rat rod, so let's call it a stretch limo. After all, it's classy, a smooth ride, and something everyone can appreciate.(As opposed to weirdos like me with the rat.)

The book?

The Lady's Fate, a Regency romance,  reminded me of some of the books I read many years ago ... wondrous books written by skillful artists like the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen. Books that capture your imagination and whisk you away for a thoroughly enjoyable ride to another place and time.

Like most of  the works of those earlier writers, and indeed, like many romances in general, there was no big surprise ending to be found in Anne's book. Sure, there are some delicious detours along the way, but when you climb into her stretch limo, it isn't difficult to figure out exactly where she's going to take you. But in spite of knowing what the destination is gonna be, or maybe even because of it,  it's a genuine joy to settle back against the plush leather seats of that limo, and simply enjoy the ride. 


I dunno. Maybe Anne's figured out the secrets of channeling? Nah, that isn't it. She is just that talented. If you remember losing yourself in the magic of a Jane Austen book, this is definitely the book for you. It's a guilty pleasure, to be sure. (But less fattening.)

For me, Anne scored really big with this one. And know what? I enjoyed the ride so much, I'm looking forward to reading her other works, as well, because I suspect, no matter what kind of vehicle she's driving, with someone of her talent behind the wheel, it's bound to be a delightful ride.








So, whatcha think? Are you more into the ride or the destination? And how about the ride? Rat rod or stretch limo? (Hmmm, maybe we can squeeze a spiffy beverage bar in the back of the rat rod???)

                               Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.