The Time on the Gravel Roads

Book excerpt: Part road trip, part nature hike, part journey of self-discovery, this evocative memoir follows the adventures of Subhranil De as he navigates a six-year quest to find a job that combines his passion for physics with his love of teaching. Seeking escape from the drudgery and anxiety of academics, he sets out to explore less-traveled backroads and byways, from New York to North Dakota to Minnesota. Along the way, he finds solace in poetry, music, and introspection, as his professional life advances from researcher to lecturer to a veteran of the interview circuit—and at long last, a fulfilling position at a university nestled in the beautiful rolling landscape of southern Indiana. Subhranil’s narrative seamlessly weaves together luminous descriptions of pure nature, deep reflections on the mysteries and wonders he encounters, and heartwarming anecdotes as well as wry observations about family, friends, colleagues, and the world of academia. The result is a holistic tapestry that is a celebration of a precious romanticism for life and the world.