Not Now, Voyager: A Memoir

by Lynne Sharon Schwartz

Ever since the explorations of Marco Polo and the travels of Montaigne, a lively dialogue has persisted about the pros and cons of travel. Lynne Sharon Schwartz joins this dialogue with a memoir that raises both serious and amusing questions about travel, using her own experiences as vivid illustrations.

Not Now, Voyager takes us on a voyage of self-discovery as the author traces how travel has shaped her sensibilities from childhood through adulthood. She makes an adolescent visit to Miami Beach, where she confronts the powerful sensation of not belonging; she goes to Rome as a young woman and ponders the difference between ignorance and innocence; she ventures to Jamaica and witnesses political and social unrest; and she takes a family road trip to Montreal and watches her daughters come to startling realizations of their own.

Schwartz’s personal history takes on new shapes, and her feelings about travel change as she shows us who she started out as and who she has become. Above all, this memoir exemplifies a mode of travel in and of the mind on a journey or quest, pausing here and there, sometimes by design, sometimes by serendipity, lingering, occasionally backtracking, but always on the move.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Biography

176 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2009

About the author

Lynne Sharon Schwartz (b. 1939) is a celebrated author of novels, poems, short fiction, and criticism. Schwartz began her career with a series of short stories before publishing her first novel, the National Book Award–nominated Rough Strife (1980). She went on to publish works of memoir, poetry, and translation. Her other novels have included the award-nominated Leaving Brooklyn (1989) and Disturbances in the Field (1983). Her short fiction has appeared in theBest American Short Stories annual anthology series several times. In addition, her reviews and criticism have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers. Schwartz lives in New York City, and is currently a faculty member of the Bennington Writing Seminars.

Reviews

[Iva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite simply, this is a travel memoir by a someone who prefers to be home. This observation could only come from someone who has done some traveling and is of a certain age. Schwartz shares many splendid moments in her life-- her obsession to find out if she is related to Ariel Sharon,for example, her descriptions of the fascinating people she has met while traveling or living abroad and her very interesting relatives. She juxtaposes this with stories of growing up in Brooklyn (a theme covered in her wonderful novel, Leaving Brooklyn). A provocative theme is contained here by a writer who never disappoints.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of essays, for the most part travel-related, but not of the "I went here, did this, and saw that" variety. Schwartz has a terrific gift for transition, using (often mundane) travel experience as a jumping off point for a larger point. Highly recommended.

[Ele Pawelski · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author came across as affluent and entitled. Chapters meandered. Not nearly as good as other memoirs about travel and learning ie Cheryl Strayed.

[Valyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I relate so much about the conflicting desire to travel (face the chaos of tourism) versus staying at home (in peace and quiet). Having this kind of dilemma in life is a sign of privilege that comes with opportunity to develop self-awareness and explore intentions on whether you’d like to explore different place or stay where you are. In this book, what matters is that by putting yourself out there, regardless if you like it or not, you can have the merit to claim what Lynne said: “For a person who is reluctant to move, I’ve been around.”

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just realized that I don't really like to travel - it is something I do, because I feel I should (usually) if I have the opportunity. That realization seemed to surprise a lot of people - and I was surprised, too. Schwartz seems to share in my opinion - and articulates it in a philosophical/ rambling/ entertaining sort of way. It is a short book, so I could handle the philosophy - "We all design our own modes of distraction from the knowledge of mortality, or our modes of confrontation...Maybe madness is the state of being forever lost in the intolerable truth, without the capacity - whether that capacity is a strength or a weakness - to be distracted from it." (pg. 118-119) So Schwartz seems to be saying that we may just travel to distract ourselves from the thought of our inevitable deaths..fun, huh? She actually does say it in an often amusing/sarcastic way - there are a few Sedaris moments - but she wrote too much about Uncle Bert...I am curious now to read some of her fiction...

[Joan Winnek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a follow-up to Ruined by Reading, and again was charmed by Lynn Sharon Schwartz's quirky juxtapositions and acute insights. I'm still trying to get my hand on Face to Face, as I enjoy her memoir writing: just enough detail, happily free of tedious narration. She hits the moment.

But in between I read The Writing on the Wall, to which she refers in the final chapter of this book, as well as in the preface, where she refers to this book as "an illustration of the mind on a journey or quest ..." The novel is, as she says, a very different kind of book; also one of the best on the aftermath of 9/11.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I thought this was a book about the philosophy of travel, i.e. why some people need to see every point of interest, and others are more domestic. I was incorrect, but Schwartz completely wowed and amused me with her chapters. She descibes some OC behavior with collected hotel soaps, and a house they rented in St. Louis that I had to read aloud to anyone who would listen. The book is short, and the stories are in very chewable chunks. I read the whole thing on a long bus ride. I was in another world. Well worth reading! I must read more by this author.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this a while ago and jumped right in, and then forgot about it for a month. The kind of book that is hard to go back to because there are so many story threads woven throughout that it gets confusing trying to pick up the stitches. Bought this because I am ambivalent about travel (esp. via air to faraway places) and was curious what Schwartz would say. She is equally ambivalent but the book is more searching than that implies. Lots to think about and even some parts that I will reread . . .

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynne Sharon Schwartz's take & tone were just the ticket for my road trip to Columbia River Gorge on her ambivalence about travel. Something I've been feeling lately - age perhaps contributes to my dread of planes, sleep-deprivation, getting sick on the road & the general discombobulation. Loved her use of the authors/texts cited through-out history on travel, the best. And - my trip was fab - no ambivalence about that!

[Elsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

More a memoir that a travelogue. Schwartz introduces herself stating that she hates to travel and then proceeds to illustrate that with scenes from various trips. It was an interesting read, but not quite what I expected for a book about travel. I guess you'd say this was a book about not traveling.

[Bookreaderljh · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a travel book on a journey of a life. I liked that. The author's view on travel matched my own quite a bit. I always want to travel but I actually only enjoy it when it isn't new - which makes no sense at all.

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this non-fiction gem while visiting Poland, Ohio. Since I have a great time traveling and Lynne Sharon Schwartz does not, her story sounds hilarious to me. But, if you hate to travel, then you might enjoy her memoir for the many complaints she offers about the whole business of travel.

[Judi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like this author but I enjoy traveling way too much to pay attention to all that she doesn't like about travel. Yet I think if I heard her speak on this book - I'd find her very interesting.

[Steven Monrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting takes from a reluctant traveler but not a lot of fun.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny if a bit whiny stories about why the author doesn't like to travel. A few pieces about her time as a writer-in-residence in St. Louis that are less than flattering to St. Louis.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Musings on past travels.