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Papua New Guinea is considered one of the most difficult islands to cross in the world, thanks to its wild countenance, its exotic terrain, its difficult waters. In 1927 Ivan Champion, a British explorer, became the first white man to make this treacherous journey successfully. Years later, July 1992 to be exact, another white traveler decided to take a shot at marking Champion's illustrious crossing by becoming the first white woman to do the same. However, Kira Salak wasn't some professional explorer with the backing of a nation and years of experience in danger and true life adventure. She was 19, a young college grad who left her safe graduate school berth, a decent job, and a loving boyfriend to do what most people told her would be impossible. Stubborn, dedicated, with the pounding pulse of the need to move in her veins, Salak went forward with her plan. The trip turned out to be anything but what she thought it would be...and in the course of making the journey, she learned more about herself than she ever thought possible.
This could have been just one more nicely written "aren't I amazing" stories if it weren't for Salak's choice of adventure. Sure, there have been a million and one kids who have spent years dodging academics and taking to the road --- but perhaps, thanks to the recent events around the world, this book may become one of the few that withstand the genre when it dies out (if you thought hitchhiking was scary before, just watch out now!). Nonetheless, Salak's destination, her ability to get herself out of what could be life-threatening jams, and her belief in herself and her instincts make FOUR CORNERS a fascinating and completely thrilling story of adventure.
Her relationships with men fall under the microscope quite often as she encounters so many new and interesting people. Guerilla soldiers, errant deep sea divers, and a mysterious "Baptist minister" who is essentially stalking her are just a few of the strange souls that make their way across her traumatic path. No matter where she is, however, Salak seems to have never forgotten why she was so turned on by the thrill of this particular journey --- the constant travails, the inhospitable terrain, mountains to climb, endless rains to withstand --- and she is constantly referring to the thoughts she finds deep within herself as she pushes both her mental and physical selves to the brink of disaster time and again.
FOUR CORNERS is not so much a great travel book as it is a thrilling adventure story of a young woman on the precipice of her adult life, testing her limits and finding none, questioning her intents and finding only a deep and abiding purpose. Kira Salak isn't a great writer but she easily finds the right pitch with which to draw in the reader and maintain a compelling pace throughout the entire book. A fun read.
--- Reviewed by Jana Siciliano
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