MARVELOUS DAYS: A Novel

By Hayden Thompson

A widowed biologist, Kevin Brunner, an American expat in Germany, faces a life turn at the start of his retirement. The usual aspirations like romance, family, and career are seemingly past him now. He finds himself adrift after his adult son moves far away. Kevin seeks to travel and mostly takes trips to France as his preference. On the way, he experiences melancholy sometimes, especially after discovering his late wife''s unfaithfulness. But the constant voyages enable him to reflect on his past relations, connect with family and friends, and overcome his now-and-then moodiness. Appreciating this healthy habit, he relishes each moment of his expeditions. As he feels engaged in various places he passes, acknowledging their charms, even with dull or harsh weather, what means the most to him is meeting people at all stages of life and what he learns from them, not only as a meditative fl'neur but also as a human fellow. Those unexpected encounters, events, and friendships make him change, and he realizes that something beyond those lone journeys is more meaningful to him. In a first-person narrative voice, Marvelous Days depicts a man''s persistent striving in his solitary retirement years to achieve a stable mind through extensive travel as a remedy and a gateway to newness and joy. Editorial Reviews: "Set against the backdrop of picturesque European locales, predominantly in France, the novel explores themes of loss, self-discovery, and the quest for meaningful connections. . . . a literal and metaphorical voyage . . . a well-crafted character . . . His interactions . . . are depicted with authenticity and depth. . . . Thompson skillfully portrays Kevin''s emotional landscape, making his journey relatable and compelling. . . . For those seeking a reflective and heartfelt read, Marvelous Days is a commendable choice. It captures the essence of what it means to find oneself amidst life''s inevitable changes and challenges." -- Bestsellersworld.com "In Thompson''s literary novel, a widowed fl'neur finds a second act in travel. . . . Feeling new uncertainty about nearly every aspect of his life . . . Kevin spends nearly a decade . . . seeking catharsis in new places and people. Thompson succeeds in capturing the peculiar blend of pleasure and melancholy that comes from travel . . . Kevin''s peregrinations and the passage of time ensure the story is always moving. A richly meditative novel about aging and travel. -- Kirkus Reviews "If you seek delight, it may be best to create it, for it seldom appears on its own . . . Marvelous Days is . . . appealing book . . . the overall style was charming and came across as a chain of thoughts, making the entire premise and depicted events very real . . . an immersive read." -- Readers'' Favorite (5-star review) "A stunning European portrait of leisure and boundless curiosity in Marvelous Days. A newly retired expat in search of fresh purpose, Kevin embraces his wanderlust and embarks on a sunset chapter of travel and discovery. . . . For any aging wanderer who feels hesitant to make the leap into the wilds of travel, this contemporary novel is a sensitive, sensible, and stirring piece of inspiration." -- Self-Publishing Review "Uniquely written novel . . . readers will find themselves so involved in Kevin''s life that they will feel as if they are another close companion to him . . . Marvelous Days is one book in which readers will go through a roller coaster of emotions as felt through the main character Kevin''s eyes. This reviewer truly enjoyed going on Kevin''s journey right alongside him." -- Feathered Quill Reviews " Both heartwarming and heartbreaking, Marvelous Days takes a realistic and refreshing approach on the idea of second (or more) chances, world travel, and the relationships we make along the way." -- The BookLife Prize

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0D7L6Q32W
• ISBN13: 9798328712712
• Release Date: June 2024
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 264 Pages
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.7" x 5.0"