Title: Adventures of a Rideshare Driver
Author: Charles A. Campise
Publisher: Author Reputation Press, LLC
ISBN: 979-8-89356-092-3
Pages: 86
Genre: Autobiography / Travel literature
Reviewed by: Subhrajit Saha
Hollywood Book Reviews
In the modern age of technology, some traditional jobs have disappeared while new jobs have emerged, engaging people in different ways. Additionally, some professions have evolved, adapting to contemporary needs and becoming more user-friendly. One such example is online cab booking, which has transformed and sustained the profession, making it more accessible and efficient in today’s era. The book Adventures of a Rideshare Driver offers an in-depth look into the life, pros and cons of being a rideshare driver. Charles A. Campise’s book provides readers with a glimpse into the daily grind and adventurous encounters with various personalities each day.
In the travel literature, the author shares his experiences as a cab driver, recounting his journey from day one to thousands of rides in and around Austin, Texas. Readers can discover how a cab driver’s daily life is unpredictable and thrilling. The storyteller, an elderly man, enjoys sharing history, culture, contemporary events, and recommendations for good restaurants and hangout spots with his passengers. The narrator is a retired professional, works as a cab driver for extra income, and has greater goals for someone close to him, motivating him to take on this job.
On his journey, the central character encounters some unexpected events, such as meeting the president of a nation and interacting with people one might prefer to avoid. Readers will find him receiving blessings from the almighty due to his good deeds; while also experiencing challenging moments, such as being stranded with a damaged vehicle in the dead of night. Readers can see him helping the needy and poor in their worst times, as well as receiving unexpected surprises. While he encounters good and well-spoken passengers, he also has to deal with rude and unpleasant ones during his cab rides.
The storyteller is an extrovert who loves sharing his life experiences and educating people about the history of Texas, especially Austin. He strives to make his passengers feel comfortable and ensure they enjoy their ride by offering as much help as possible. However, his eagerness to assist and engage sometimes leads to embarrassment, as some people find his behavior too much. In addition to sharing his personal rideshare experiences, the author also provides guidelines for fellow rideshare drivers. These tips aim to improve feedback and create a friendlier, more comfortable journey for passengers, adding a special dimension to the narration.
Adventures of a Rideshare Driver mirrors the author’s daily grind, with moments that are both captivating and mundane, much like the journey of human life, which includes happiness, sadness, numbness, and boredom, all essential parts of our existence. Overall, if you enjoy the travel literature genre, especially when narrated in a diary-like format, you might find parts of it somewhat tedious. However, if you are new to this style and enjoy human stories and observing everyday life, you’ll find it interesting. The book is structured into several chapters, each about a page long, allowing for convenient breaks and restarts, much like the natural pauses we take in life.
Adventures of a Rideshare Driver is a captivating read that will resonate with anyone who has ever taken a rideshare, driven one, or simply loves a good story. Charles A. Campise’s ability to find humor and humanity in his everyday encounters makes this book a delightful and thought-provoking journey through the streets of any city. It’s a reminder that behind every ride is a story waiting to be told.