Enakshi reviews Plan Sea, by S. E. Ansley, exclusively for Different Truths.
Book: Plan Sea
Author: S. E. Ansley
Rating: 4/5
To some people, travelling is the only means to reset their minds and set forth on the path of self-discovery. Whether it is the misty mountains or the pristine beaches, each place makes a spot in the heart and the lifestyle of a vagabond teaches so many new lessons that the mundane, chaotic life fails to teach. Plan Sea is such a book. It houses the anecdotes, first-hand experiences, learnings, and stratagems to outwit boredom – all in one book!
It houses the anecdotes, first-hand experiences, learnings, and stratagems to outwit boredom – all in one book!
The author derives his inspiration from the real world where opportunities are aplenty, but the choice is way too difficult. In his quest to loom out of the darkness of the routine life, the author describes or rather shares a slice of his life with the readers through this journey across the globe in the span of several years. Right from his earlier trips to Europe, India, and other places of South East Asia to the tropical beaches of Sri Lanka, mountains of Poland and the busy life of Seoul – the author covers it all using a simple narrative and short essays that throw light on his perspectives and his decisions.
Using ‘C’ as one of the most important letters of the alphabet, the author deftly emphasises the importance of having a plan C in life.
It is commendable how Sea uses a pun in the title, in his name, and in the purpose of the book as well. Using ‘C’ as one of the most important letters of the alphabet, the author deftly emphasises the importance of having a plan C in life. According to Sea, choices matter. Even the smallest or the most trivial choice will shape whom you meet, what you end up doing, and what happens to you in the future. Right from his decision to trade his life in Melbourne with the nomadic life in a random corner of the world, every decision has contributed to making him the person he always wanted to be. He mentions that if we are ready to reset our mind as well as our life, we should book a one-way ticket to adventure, for if we know what’s in store, there is no thrill in exploring the unexplored. In a way, he is right. Unless one is willing to take risks and jump the bandwagon, life’s purpose cannot be understood. I liked how Sea is always honest about his mistakes, his learning, and the changes that didn’t come easy for him. He is undeniably in love with the idea of crossing the unchartered territories and that’s what makes his book worth reading.
The narrative is simple but verbose. There is too much information and that is what I think might be disliked by some people. There are pictures that aid the narration and share a glimpse of the fun and excitement.
‘This is my life right now. It certainly is interesting, sometimes frightening and frequently exhilarating. One can, and will always, find a way.’
Plan Sea is an interesting travel account that not only inspires one to pack their bags and set forth on an expedition but also brings them face-to-face with the nuances of nomadic life. If one is willing, things can happen for good. But that leap of faith needs to be taken because that determines if one is truly ready to explore oneself.
Best wishes to the author!
Visuals sourced by the reviewer
Enakshi is an educator, an author and a traveller. She loves to learn. Her writings have appeared in The Speaking Tree (Times of India), Woman’s Era, Alive, Infitithoughts, SivanaSpirit, Women’s Web, EfictionIndia and Induswomanwriting. She is an eminent book reviewer and she reviews books by Penguin, Rupa and Hachette India. Her stories and poems have been anthologised widely. She conceptualized two books- ‘Unbounded Trajectories’ and ‘Poison Ivy’.
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