Press
A Few Perfect Hours
Voice
of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
April 2005
by Lisa Martincik
In this down-to-earth travel book, Neufeld chronicles incidents and
lessons learned during his geographical adventures with now-wife Sari Wilson.
The black-and-white short stories take place mostly in Thailand and Serbia,
with a few other locations peppered throughout. Most chapters take the form
of straightforward but insightful recollections of memorable encounters, ranging
from a meeting with monks or a harrowing train ride to serving as extras in
Chinese-language television.The book also contains humorous and informative
"Travel Tips" on practical, usually hygienic matters, including
one written by Wilson on the perils of dealing with female disorders far from
home.
Although many experiences are unpleasant or uncomfortable, a reader cannot help but envy the amazing memories that are shared here on paper Besides providing entertainment purely as storytelling, this graphic-format memoir gives an intimacy of people and places often missing from travel tales. Neufeld's illustrations are clear without skimping on detail, venturing just far enough into visual exaggeration to create emotional resonance while still retaining an overall realistic look.
Part an examination of their own assumptions and foibles, part an expression of appreciation and wonderment at the world in which we live, this unusually accessible book is made up of unique and odd experiences. The lesson on the use of squat toilets alone is worth the price of admission for many would-be travelers. One hopes that Neufeld's adventures are far from over.