The Book of Maps

A Novel

By: Ernest Thompson

Narrated by: Ernest Thompson

In the summer of 2002, filmmaker Brendan Tibbet takes his ten-year-old son Brenlyn on a raucous road trip across America. Following a 1930s travel guide Brendan purchased at a yard sale, the two-week trek covers 16 states, hitting the iconic stops along the way, Yosemite, the Great Salt Lake, Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, replete with wild exploits both hilarious and perilous, but it's the interior journey that is enlightening, deeply poignant, and life-changing.

Brendan assures the boy that each state will be an adventure, and on the second day proves it, seeing the kid washed away in fast-moving rapids, then foolishly putting them both in danger by refusing to back down to the massive black bear invading their campsite. That's Brendan, impetuous and foolhardy, inciting trouble wherever he goes, a man with demons and bubbling angst. But neither of those missteps, or the many and scarier ones to follow, can begin to compare to the threatening storm cloud hanging over the expedition: the father's struggle to find the perfect, worst time to reveal to his son the news that will break his heart and affect everything.

Ernest Thompson's debut novel depicts a United States that, even in the aftermath of 9/11, seems almost innocent contrasted to the horrors and divisions, racism and rage challenging us now.

©2022 Ernest Thompson (P)2023 Tantor

A story with heart, humor, and intrigue.

The Book of Maps has humor, heart, and is a story that is captivating from the first minute until the end. I listen to a lot of audio books and Ernest Thompson's narration is the best I've heard. The pacing, energy, and the dialogue the various characters speak is perfecly executed and a joy to listen to. The characters are real and engaging. it's a road-trip story that reminds us that the love of family is the greatest force in the universe. Highly recommend anytime, but if you're taking a long car ride, this story is a MUST!

The Book of Maps leads straight to the heart

Humorous, engaging, poignant. Excellent narration with great character voices. Most will find it relatable.

Warning. Author read

Why do goo authors think they are good actors? My husband refused to finished. I sallied forth through a very bad recording. The writing was strong and thoughtful.

A Great Trip

I'm always up for a good literary road trip. Ernest Thompson's The Book of
Maps did not disappoint. Thompson is the consummate storyteller, and the
master of the family story arc as he has already proven with the iconic On
Golden Pond.



I am a big fan of literary detail but also stories that grab my soul. The
typical sound bite audiences of today are accustomed to action, short
scenes, and visuals or dialogue that keep their short attention span minds
engaged. To Thompson's credit, he created many heart-absorbing scenes as
father and son drive across the country from California to New Hampshire.
Thompson holds your attention with rich detailed characters for whom we want
to cheer.



Don't get me wrong, Thompson's father Brendan Tibbet is flawed and he's
trying his best to correct it and be a better father. Brendan is a
civic-minded filmmaker, and vegetarian wordsmith, whose sentiment conveys a
deep love and devotion to his only son, a social commentary on the world
around them, and the life he has lived. As they travel, Brendan seeks to get
fatherhood right at every stop and state, and with every turn and bend in
the road.



Filled with flashbacks, funny moments, hysterical monikers (they change
their names with every state), and sometimes reckless adventures, Brendan
struggles to provide his ten-year-old son, Brenlyn, with memories that will
remain with Brenlyn long after they arrive at their final destination, New
Hampshire. Thompson's literary flourish and use of alliteration, vocabulary
(that may require you to keep an online Webster ready on your iPhone),
mental musings, and social commentaries provide wonderful literary jousting
that provokes thought and sometimes personal memories of your own.



As a writer, Indie publisher, and writing coach, I bought the book. However,
finding time to sit and read is tricky with my busy schedule. I didn't want
anything to hinder or interrupt my enjoyment of this book, so I bought the
audio version. The author not only wrote every word, but he is also the
voice on the audio, which is a great treat. Thompson's talent lies not only
in his creation of storytelling but also in narrating it. The voices he
creates for his characters, the tone of his delivery, as well as the smooth
effortless narration, is fun to listen to and engaging.



There was only one moment in the journey where I got lost, but I was
determined to finish the trip with Brendan and Brenlyn, and I am so glad I
did. There are nice surprises, so keep reading. When you get to the end of
Brendan Tibbet's journey, you will experience his joy, an expansion of his
heart, which leaves you with a great appreciation for the evolution of the
human soul. Happy trails to new readers.