About the Book
Justin the Traveller is set in 1990 in an unnamed fictional Central American country in the late stages of a civil war. The main character, Justin, is a semi-retired businessman, a casual traveller, content to float along the surface of the places he visits, interested in a little adventure, enjoyment, pleasure; little else. Having "put in his time," he is intent on "getting what’s coming to him." What’s coming to him turns out to be a little different from what he had in mind, but when he ceases drifting along the surface, perhaps he starts to get somewhere, though he no longer goes anywhere. As he becomes a part of this place, this exotic land that becomes home, he is witness to its beauty and its brutality.
Reviews
Joseph Mascia is a mesmerizing and immensely compelling writer. - Sara J. Henry, award winning author of A Cold and Lonely Place
There is an awe-inspiring humanity which is portrayed in this story, a humanity which maintains depth and dignity in the midst of incredible poverty. I find myself inexplicably concerned with the destinies of the main characters as the novel reaches its sad yet hopeful conclusion. This is not light summer reading, but it is profound reading, a story which stirs the soul. For all its misery (and there is an abundance of it,) it inspires hope. There is hope in recognizing the invincible beauty, courage and goodness in the depth of the human person. There is hope when bitterness, despair and hatred do not triumph in the end, but instead, the desire to love and build for the future is the last word.
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This book has a gratifying and surprising story arc as it follows the main character in Central America. Although referencing historical events from Central America, the story is really centered on core aspects of choice and circumstance. Great read and hope this review will encourage others to pick up this thought provoking and well written book. —Stephen, a Central American Traveler
The author has a lot of thought and feeling invested in his main character—Justin/Mateo—and it shows: the reader quickly comes to sympathize with him despite his flaws. The story was well paced and the exotic setting depicted in a way that was authoritative and convincing. The author enlists the reader's sympathy for Justin, right from the opening, building on it through the tale of his ups and downs. —Castle Freeman, Jr., author of My Life and Adventures