The collection, published by The University of North Carolina Press, who were gracious enough to provide me with this review copy through Netgalley, consists of twenty essays of varying length about diverse topics. All these essays are birthed by the experiences of the writer, from his childhood, his multiple professions, and his interactions with people at various places that he visited and stayed in his life. The author tries to find takeaways from each of them that he feels are deserving of being shared with his readers. When we look into the past, we remember only snippets of some memories, most of them so vague that it becomes an impossibility to reconstruct them. But there may be some vivid frames that we never forget and that continue to grow inside us, making our lives richer.

Thanks to the publisher University of North Carolina Press and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A collection of essays reflecting on the author’s past experiences from the deeply personal detailing the death of his son, travel pieces detailing trips to the former Soviet Union, to essays reflecting on the author’s work history.

The most successful essays in this collection are those that remember his son. Particularly poignant are the first essay "Down among the Bones, the Darks, the Sparrows" of him visiting his son’s grave and "Wheat Field with Crows" detailing a trip to New York for his son’s 17th birthday a year before the onset in his late teen years of the schizoaffective disorder that would sadly ultimately lead to his untimely death. "Wheat Field with Crows" is my personal stand out of this collection. It was written after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School which led Seay to think about children and the world they occupy alongside adults; combined with his grief was the fear that the mentally ill may be further stigmatized. The New York visit is freighted with signifiers of future tragedy - climbing up to the observation deck of the South Tower, viewing the titular Van Gogh, painted days before his suicide – which all adds to the emotional weight of the essay.

The essays contain many references to literature in "A Relative of Chekhov, a Cousin of Chaliapin" he attempts (unsuccessfully) to visit Chekhov’s grave when on a visit to the Soviet Union. His numerous requests to visit the grave are met with a defiant ‘Nyet’. In "Damn You, Love" (an essay written on assignment for 'Esquire') he takes part in a séance trying to conjure up the spirit of Scott Fitzgerald and although he places himself as a cynic he cannot explain how those conducting the séance came up with the main two characters from "The Beautiful and the Damned" – Tony (Anthony) and Gloria. "One Corner of Yoknapatawpha" tells of Faulkner during the writing of "As I Lay Dying", when he would have been near to where his father was working on a retrofitted Model T Ford that enabled it to be run on a railroad and he wonders if their paths would have ever crossed.

Seay’s writing is lyrical and profound and it is particularly affecting when discussing family ties. I would recommend this book to those interested in the American literature of such authors as Faulkner and Fitzgerald or those who want a reflective read on the travails of life.

This is a fascinating collection of essays—about the author’s loss of an adult child, Faulkner, birds (loved this), food—including how the author’s grandmother prepared fried chicken by first wringing the necks of chickens in a particular way so as not to get blood on her apron (a touch of the Southern Gothic, perhaps)… Also touchingly on how he came to wear his eye patch, and his relationship with his father after he lost his eye; his mother; books, and writing; travels in Europe and the Soviet Union before the fall of the USSR; dogs; property ownership and neighbours; claims adjustment; and, again at the end, about his son.

Seay’s authorial voice is engaging—wry, and somewhat defiant—and kept me reading right to the end. It’s always eye-opening to read from a different culture, and I found that I did not always agree with or approve of Seay’s point of view—particularly whenever he introduced the topic of race (Latinx people, Native Americans), which sometimes made me cringe. But this is what I find valuable about reading non-fiction from people who don’t look or think like me: exposure to other worldviews widens my own, and enriches my understanding of our common human condition. And, importantly, Seay is a genuinely interesting writer.

Thank you to University of North Carolina Press and to NetGalley for access.

"Come! Come! Where? Where?" by James Seay is a captivating exploration of the human experience through the lens of travel and self-discovery. Seay's narrative weaves seamlessly between moments of wanderlust and introspection, creating a tapestry of emotions that resonate with readers. The book takes us on a journey across diverse landscapes, both external and internal, as the protagonist navigates the intricate terrain of personal growth.

Seay's prose is evocative and poetic, painting vivid pictures of the places visited and the inner landscapes explored. The narrative is punctuated with moments of profound insight and universal truths, inviting readers to reflect on their own life journeys. The characters are skillfully crafted, each contributing to the overarching theme of connection and the search for meaning.

"Come! Come! Where? Where?" is a masterful blend of travelogue and philosophical contemplation, offering readers a rich and thought-provoking experience. Seay's ability to intertwine the external and internal voyages creates a narrative that is both visually stunning and intellectually stimulating. This book is a must-read for those who appreciate literature that transcends traditional boundaries and delves into the profound aspects of the human soul.