Praise for Five Ferries
See what the critics are saying…
“This debut novel captures the naiveté of a young, wide-eyed American traveling overseas for the first time. It is easy to forget that this is work of fiction. Ried has created a believable and likable first-person narrator that speaks with a simple sincerity. An emotionally engaging travel novel that will prove difficult to put down.” – Kirkus Reviews
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“Full hearted, believable writing in an enjoyable travel tale.” Midwest Book Review
See what readers are saying…
“The thing I love about this book is that, in it, I found myself a new traveling companion. In a book about physical and life-travel, I found comfort and friendship through characters that blended reality and fiction... it is part travel guide, life-guide, food for the soul, fantasy. Vivid imagery, fluid writing, captivating—more than once I sat on the bench in the subway, letting yet another train stop and go on without me so that I could continue exploring Europe's back roads and adventures.” – Amazon Reader
“Great read. The trip we all wished we took.” – Amazon Reader
“His tale is reminiscent of a time when trust and kindness prevailed and when a recent grad filled with wanderlust could pursue his dream. It’s a must read for anyone who ever thought about what it might be like to throw caution to the wind!” – Goodreads Reader
“This is a story for those who yearn for timeless memories before the digital and GPS world took over our lives. A wonderful journey crafted in exceptionally well written prose leaving the reader anxious for every new chapter.” – Amazon Reader
“What sets this self-discovery tale apart from other narratives is the device of using exchanges of different classic novels to chart his travels (Grapes of Wrath, Anna Karenina, Ulysses, etc.) – Amazon Reader
“William Michael Ried chronicles…the acrobatics of life's survival on the road.” – Amazon Reader
“On the one hand the hero was one of the most sanguine characters I've ever come across, but on the other he seemed driven by anxiety over where he was "supposed to be" going or what was expected out of him as a son/brother/boyfriend/rolling stone/backpacker. Whether in our early 20's or not, most of us have felt this kind of conflict and uncertainty at some point in our lives. It was both reassuring and jarring to see that brought to the page in such a universal way.” – Amazon Reader
“Incredibly true to the era.” – Amazon Reader
“Very entertaining. Liked the character development. Felt like I knew them and couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I laughed. I cried. I need a sequel!” – Amazon Reader
“There is no better way to learn about the world or yourself than to take to the open road...alone and on foot. Nothing tests one like standing alone on the side of the road as night falls, waiting for the ride that may or may not come, wondering where you’ll sleep that night and whether this journey of exploration was such a good idea after all…As for Ried’s hope that the book sparks memories in those of us fortunate enough to have made a similar journey, how could it not summon up the friends and lovers and the wild and wonderful times spent with them, being young and unsettled and uncertain together? They may disappear from our lives but they never disappear from our memories, and Five Ferries brings them back to life.” – Google Play Reader
“Five Ferries reminds us of the chances we took, the ones we perhaps shouldn't have taken but luckily survived, and the rewards that brought. The read is, in all senses of the word, a fun trip.” – Amazon Reader
“Page-turner that I finished in 48 hours. A really engaging read laced with amusing and slightly terrifying stories of back-packing in Northern Europe and a reminder of simpler times - but also a reminder that most people are good and wish us well. Something we would all do well to remember in these times.” – Amazon Reader
“Five Ferries takes me on the trip I never took but wished I had. Ried beautifully relates his odyssey. I thoroughly enjoyed this well written tale that takes place in a time that, with all the turbulency of the sixties and seventies, still seems a more comfortable one today.” – Amazon Reader