Book by Oliver Phipps
A Life Naive
Life for twenty-seven-year-old Hershel Lawson has been relatively uneventful and that’s the way he likes it. When his grandmother passes away, leaving him her car and a last wish of him taking her ashes to L.A., his life takes a turn and it will never be the same again.
With his new task and grandmother’s ashes, Hershel sets out from St. Louis Missouri in the spring of 1962. He travels unimpeded along scenic Route 66 for two days but is suddenly and unexpectedly relieved of two important things, his car and wallet.
Editorial Review
A Life Naive by Oliver Phipps is the story of Hershal Lawson, a trusting and upstanding younger man in Missouri who could easily be called John Doe, so much is he the humdrum and monochrome every-man. He’s spent his days looking after his Me’ma who spent her last days encouraging him to – in more loving terms – get a life. Hershal isn’t hearing it. “He enjoyed going on errands for his grandmother. He started the car and was soon on his way. He went by the service station and drank an Orange Crush soda as the attendant serviced the car. Then he went by the post office.” Therein lies the purity of Hershal’s simple contentment…until Me’ma dies, and in fulfilling her final wish, Hershal ends up on Route 66 with an assertive and erratic Sally, headed toward California in a ride that feels more like a roller coaster than a procession.
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Synopsis
Set against the nostalgic backdrop of 1960s America, A Life Naive follows Hershel Lawson, a
kindhearted but socially sheltered twenty-seven-year-old whose quiet life revolves around caring
for his beloved grandmother, Ethel. Having endured childhood trauma and years of emotional
dependence, Hershel has never ventured far beyond the familiar routines of his Missouri
hometown.
When Ethel suddenly passes away, Hershel carefully ordered world collapses. In her final
wishes, she leaves him her treasured 1958 Lincoln Continental, a modest amount of money, and
a mission: to drive her ashes along Route 66 to their final resting place in Los Angeles.
What begins as a simple road trip soon becomes a transformative journey across the heart of
America. Naïve, trusting, and unprepared for the realities of the world, Hershel quickly falls
victim to a charming con artist who steals his car, money, and belongings, leaving him stranded
on the roadside with only his grandmother ashes and a few keepsakes.
His fortunes begin to change when he crosses paths with Sally, a guarded and independent young
woman carrying emotional wounds of her own. Initially distrustful of Hershel innocent nature,
Sally reluctantly agrees to travel with him. As they hitchhike their way westward through diners,
motels, roadside attractions, and the ever changing landscapes of Route 66, an unlikely
friendship begins to blossom.
Through their shared adventures and hardships, Hershel gradually gains confidence, resilience,
and a deeper understanding of the complexities of life and human nature. Meanwhile, Sally
discovers that beneath Hershel’s innocence lies genuine kindness, honesty, and unwavering
loyalty qualities she has long struggled to believe still exist in others.
As their bond deepens into a tender star crossed romance, both must confront the fears and
emotional barriers shaped by their pasts. Hershel learns that growing up does not mean losing his
compassionate spirit, while Sally begins to trust in the possibility of love and new beginnings.
Blending humor, heartfelt emotion, and the timeless allure of the open road, A Life Naive is a
coming of age journey about grief, self-discovery, and the transformative power of human
connection. Rich with the nostalgia of 1960s Americana, the novel captures the spirit of Route
66 while exploring how unexpected detours can lead to the people and places that ultimately
shape who we become.
What People Say About This Book
Check out what amazing readers say about this book.
Karen Bennett
“Cleverly written story about an average guy (Hershel) whose life is about to take an unexpected turn. When he meets Sally, who’s the complete opposite of him, the fun really begins. The chemistry between them is like going to an amusement park … there’s something new and fun around every corner.”
Gallery
A wonderful and nostalgic road trip down Route 66!
I loved the nostalgia of Oliver’s book A Life Naïve. This story has a little of everything, humor, adventure, romance and nostalgia.
Set in the early 1960s this story follows Hershel and Sally as they must find a way to California with almost no money and no transportation.
Keep in mind this story is based before all the “entitlements,” that so many Americans think they must have now. These two are on their own and do well under the circumstances, depending on their wits and each other.