RUS AND MOOSE

A trucker and a moose take a journey together.

While driving through Maine in the dark of night, Rus sees a moose and brakes to a stop. Moose faints and gets tangled up under the truck’s front hood but miraculously is unscathed. In a moment of kindness, Rus pulls him out and tucks him into bed in the truck’s cab. Moose awakens to find himself cruising down the road in an 18-wheeler bound for Florida. Serving as both road buddy and cheery pet, Moose helps Rus navigate sticky situations and switch containers at the shipper’s warehouse but also licks Rus’ face and sticks his enormous antlered head out the cab window to enjoy the breeze. A delightful surprise, this story celebrates the work of long-haul trucking, often considered an unglamorous, even rough profession. Rus’ cab contains exquisite blankets and pillows and occasionally fills up with fanciful cascades of flowers. The truck passes through rain and bright sun, through cities and to the sea, depicted in seamlessly presented, often breathtaking sequences. The story’s success is due in no small part to Wang’s creative experimentation; she even makes the delivery of freight and the workings of a container depot appear colorful and compelling. Pale-skinned, dark-haired Rus presents East Asian; the author draws affectionately from her experiences traveling with her truck-driver husband.

A simple and unique road trip tale, at once jubilant and calming.