by Mark Tedesco
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D.
The author, Mark Tedesco, spends his time between Italy and California. In this story of encounter.“Onward” chronicles the adventures of Jovanny, who following a personal tragedy, sets off on a journey of discovery aboard his sailboat. His travels take him along the Amalfi coast. To the island of Santorini, don the Nile River, through Barcelona, and beyond. Throughout his journey, he learns valuable life lessons from each destination. The story guides the reader through the deserts of Algeria, the contrasting cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, a monastery in the south of France, the ancient Aspendos Theater in Turkey, and the lively island of Mykonos. Each stop reveals more of what the protagonist is searching for and illuminates what matters.
The author lived on a sailboat which taught him lessons about other people. While he was initially set out with a curious and adventure-seeking mindset, he discovered that relationships matter most. While the beautiful views, amazing beaches, historical buildings and unique locales continue to draw him the people he met along the way impacted him the most. For, the author, a place has meaning if he can connect with the people, form relationships, or build friendships. The author states that these relationships have enriched his life and expanded his horizons there are many lessons that He has learned, but one of the most important ones became clear to him recently. He realized that he was being held hostage by my past, the loss of my parents had left an emptiness in my life that I either ignored or tried to escape from either ignored or tried to escape from. The memories of their passing continue to haunt him. However, during his time in Antalya, he discovered that he could confront his past, mourn his parents’ loss, rediscover their companionship and more forward without the pain.
The last lesson he learned was the feeling of being taken care of. Whether it was almost losing my life in the Mediterranean visiting friends in Jerusalem, or staying with Pierre in the south of France, the feeling of being guided, card for, and even loved gave me a sense of peace that he didn’t have at the beginning his voyage. His journey continues, and he is filled with gratitude, a sense of belonging and a continual feeling of adventure. This is a great adventure that is fun and interesting to read.