The Treasure Hunt by Roger Barr

This book was fascinating, but mostly just because the geography of Saint Paul is such a vital character. If it had taken place in any other city, it wouldn't have interested me nearly as much. Even Minneapolis. But because it features such familiar things to me as Indian Mounds Park, the flashing 1st Bank and Schmidt signs, and Summit Avenue, I was riveted.

The other characters were interesting enough. I felt a little disappointed that there were unhappy endings for everyone except the one that actually found the medallion. I suppose it was more true to life that way, but nevertheless I didn't expect it to be so grim.

The cover of this book is horrible. It a marvel that I selected this book off the shelf at the library in the first place. But the contents surpassed their unimpressive packaging. Proof that you can't tell a book by its cover. So true. I've checked out so many books with really spectacular cover art and lettering, only to give up reading it after a couple of chapters because the writing sucked. The first example that comes to mind is a book called Scar Culture by an author whose name I can't remember. It was set in Scotland. Great book cover. Lousy book. In my opinion.

A big part of my deciding to read The Treasure Hunt was the Saint Paul factor. The only other book I've read that takes place here in Minnesota's capital city is The Mortal Nuts by Pete Hautman. It's just fun to read about places you know about. But on the other hand, if you read to escape the real world then there's really no point at all in reading a book that takes place where you are. I usually like to read about faraway places, like the British Isles or Russia or parts of the United States I've never been to. As I write this essay I'm currently reading Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl and it's magnificent. A vacation in your mind.

This leads to a dilemma when one is actually on vacation. Do you read? It depends on your reason for the vacation in the first place. If you intend to relax, then read. But if you intend to see a new part of the world and experience new cultures, then don't read. I've been to Florida a couple of times in recent years, and Florida is boring. So I read when I'm there. But if I was ever to visit Norway, I would leave my books at home. Except of course for a phrase book or dictionary.

There really is no excuse for reading a book about Saint Paul while I live in Saint Paul. But it's too late now.