The God of Driving: How I Overcame Fear and Put Myself in the Driver's

By Amy Fine Collins

Book Overview

As a top correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine, Amy Fine Collins leads a glamorous life, a charmed whirlwind of gala parties, couture clothing, and five-star travel. In Manhattan, where she is whisked around in taxis and limousines, she has been able to disregard her long-standing fear of driving, a legacy handed down from her accident-plagued family. But when the brilliant and determined Amy finally decides to confront her driving phobia, she does not foresee how far from her elegant turf this resolution will take her. A mysterious, good-looking Turk named Attila is dispatched to her doorstep in a dual-brake Acura, and in him Amy discovers not only a superhumanly skilled instructor but also a wise, patient, and capable man who, inexplicably and irresistibly, over the course of their yearlong lessons, begins to transform and transport her. Both a compelling portrait of an elusive, charismatic hero and an inspiring adventure story, The God of Driving recounts the evolving relationship of Amy and Attila as they zoom in and out of urban interstates and country byways, as close to home as Park Avenue and as far away as Hamburg -- in muscle cars, turbocharged Bentleys, and hang-on-for-your-life motorcycles. And while Attila is completely changing her life, Amy is entirely remaking his, prompting him to uncover -- and redeem -- his shadowy past. Vibrant and funny, The God of Driving is an offbeat, romantic odyssey -- a true-life tale of unlikely soul mates who bump into each other at the crossroads of high gears and high style.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1451631693
• ISBN13: 9781451631692
• Release Date: January 2011
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Charming, funny and comforting

Amy Fine Collins manages a perfect blend of self-deprecation, wit and adventure to tell this very personal and incredibly entertaining story of overcoming the all to common but little discussed fear so many Manhattanites have of driving. She demonstrates a particular gift for sketching characters, from the deeply mysterious driving instructor Attila to her own dichotomous personality- a Park Avenue PhD with equal parts anxiety and sophistication all packaged in a statuesque, couture-clad former model. Fine Collins dispenses with the naval gazing pablum that frequently plagues memoirs and instead offers up a clipped, engaging vignette that encourages and delights. She is an underrated humorist.

A joyride with a serious message

A fun read. Follow the author as she frees herself from fear and finds friendship with an unlikely prospect. Most important, you will gain insight into your own driving skills and appreciate the importance of safe driving. Parents spend a fortune on sports for their kids, but they'd be wiser to make sure their children learn to drive safely. This book has a light side - e.g., fashion tips for driving - but it has a serious message.

No fear here

A delightful gift to pass along and recommend. As one of the 190 million Americans Collins cites who drives 2.6 times daily (aptitude smaptitude), I didn't expect to get sucked into Collins's story. But what a twist on escapism! Better than a hot mystery or historic fiction, Collins's beautiful life, as revealed throughout a few dozen fast-moving chapters, will lift you straight out of suburban realities, at least for a time. Her driving lessons are so many romantic adventures, and Collins's charming and mysterious instructor is sophisticated enough to appreciate her fantastic outfits and make-up. He even dresses the part himself. Together, experiencing various ultimate dream machines, they tool around New York City, and even journey to distant lands (not just New Jersey and Staten Island, but Germany, too). Collins's driving experiences, unlike those of us 190 million, are definitely book-worthy.

An exceptional Book

Amy Fine Collins puts a lot of herself in this wonderful book. It's beautifully written with great descriptions. Collins takes drivng to a whole new level in this fast-paced book. Everyone should read this book. I recommend this book to anyone with a driving phobia, to car lovers,and even to people who don't care much for cars. I also recommend it to any person who may learn something from the intelligent and magnificent Attila, Collins's driving teacher. Collins weaves an incredibly entertaining story that will make frightened drivers come out of their shells.

Zoom Zoom Hurrah!!

Learning to drive and learning to do it well become the means of defeating old fears and widening one's horizons in this highly enjoyable and extraordinarily inspirational book. It is as much a journey through a mutually perceptive friendship as it is a paean to automobiles, driving and achieving greater self-reliance. The author's mysterious teacher and his adventurous teaching methods are as fascinating as the author's personality turns out to be. Personally speaking, it motivated me to move beyond memories of horrible accidents in my childhood (similar to events in the author's youth) and finally to begin to learn to drive. Recommended to everyone who loves to drive or wants to learn to do so!