Review: Suspected Hippie in Transit by Martin Frumkin

Detailing two months-long journeys across the Middle East and Asia, Suspected Hippie in Transit: Sex, Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll and the Search for Higher Consciousness on the International Trail, 1971-1977 (Vol 1) by Martin Frumkin is an eye-opening wander through exotic ideas, people, and experiences in beautiful corners of the world.

Beginning in India and moving west through Nepal and northern Afghanistan, some of the most riveting scenes (and images) come from Frumkin’s time in Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat, though these sections are rather brief, in comparison to his second journey, which began in 1975. In that more extended part of the book, Frumkin wanders from Istanbul and New Delhi to Uttar Pradesh and Nepal again, and into the shadow of Mt. Everest, then down to Sri Lanka and other legendary hotspots of Southeast Asia.

These whirlwind trips are shared through visceral anecdotes packed with the wild sights, smells, and sounds of cities and villages, as well as the eccentric travel companions he falls in with along the way. Frumkin is upfront about the fact that he is not a writer, but rather a messenger, and his meaning-laden prose is proof of that, as though he is attempting to decipher the meaning of these journeys for himself, and sharing this parallel exploration with readers. Whether he is dissecting the significance of physical manifestations of Buddha or recalling the family dynamics of his friendly sherpa in Nepal, there is a sincere desire to better understand and appreciate the world at large.

Like the journal entries and diaries from which they came, some of the book’s dated vignettes are only a paragraph or page in length, detailing a single glimpse or a simple memory, while other chapters are far more extended scenes of rituals, journeys, observations, or entire conversations, along with reflections and explanations of cultural details and relevant context. This keeps the reading experience dynamic throughout, if a bit disjointed. Frumkin also mixes in topical and personal details, which ground these travels in historical context, while also revealing more about the author – his views on war, sex, family, capitalism, and even his experience of grief and loss. There is an undeniable reverence in the writing, the true mark of an observer, rarely casting judgment, yet always paying attention.

From a technical perspective, some of the text would benefit from a final proofread, as missing words, incorrect tenses, improperly used adverbs and other mistakes can be found peppered in the prose. Though small, they are consistently distracting, and seem evident of a general lack of editing and trimming. The informal style of the prose is engaging and comfortable, reflecting both natural speech and the sporadic workings of a busy mind in perpetual movement – however, this can be both exhilarating and exhausting, depending on the strength of the storytelling in a given chapter. The inclusion of photographs provides a needed aesthetic break, and helps readers summon scenes to life, particularly when the locales are more obscure or rarely seen by the broader world.

All told, this is an entertaining, sensitive, and original record of incredible adventures, at a dynamic time in history, from an insightful writer who has learned how to live with his eyes and heart wide open.