by Olivia Kay

Created on: December 06, 2011   Last Updated: December 07, 2011

A College Vagabond, by Andy Adams, explores the concept of a person discovering who they are and what they want to do in life.  People can come from privileged families and have all of the advantages there are, but this does not mean that they are automatically like every other privileged or advantaged person in the world.  Their families may try and get them to do what they want them to do, but they only will give it their all if it is truly something they want to do and are passionate about. 

The young man who is the main character in this story (Alexander Wells) had what seemed to be everything.  He graduated from a prestigious college, had parents who were planning to back him 100% in getting him started in a business venture.  However, this was not where Alex's heart was.  While spending time in Texas, he fell in love with the area and lost interest in ever returning to New York.  He liked the carefree, anyone can do anything atmosphere of Texas a great deal better.  He didn't feel trapped there like he did in New York.  He did everything he could to stay in Texas and resisted his parents' efforts to "change" him time and time again.  Eventually, his parents realized that turning Alex into what they wanted him to be was futile, something that would never happen.  They relented and allowed him to go back to Texas and start the cattle ranch that he dreamed of starting. 

Adams wrote this story very well and in a way.  His descriptive words help readers to visualize Alex and truly understand him and his situation.  He took a topic that some people try and avoid and brought it to attention in an interesting and intriguing way.  His story also helps readers to understand that the world is full of opportunity.  Sometimes if you look beyond what is normal or what is expected, you can find something really great.   Exploring what you don't know or have never experienced can produce great rewards, rewards you never even knew you could ever have. 

College Vagabond is a very fitting title for this story.  It is about a college graduate who goes out on his own to see the world, a world he has never known.  He finds what he wants in the least likely of places. At first, this was very difficult for his parents to accept, but eventually they realized that setting him free was for the best. 

Learn more about this author, Olivia Kay.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.