Hot to Trot

In this delightful, character-driven road adventure, Post (Langosh & Peppi: Fugitive Days) chronicles the travels and travails of vagabond Langosh, his dog Peppi, and pal Yeva, a level-headed Russian expatriate. The story opens in Budapest, where Langosh decides to travel back to his Canadian homeland, though he deeply fears re-arrest after a traumatic past brush with the law that left him suspicious of the police (and that he’ll get caught for the same offense). Yeva accompanies Langosh, not realizing what mischief she’s getting herself into. Once their connecting flight lands in New York, impulsive Langosh gets another idea: “Let’s travel the U.S. together! A real adventure!” Thus, they make their way across America, hopping trains and hitchhiking, dropping in on Langosh’s various friends and family along the way. While the narrative is flush with incident, the gold is in the contrast between Langosh’s and Yeva’s worldviews. “Not everything has to lead somewhere,” Langosh tells Yeva when she has the temerity to plan ahead. Through thick and thin, this odd couple endures, with Yeva’s common sense occasionally holding sway. Post’s skillful, clear-line style pairs well with her nuanced character sketches, and she adroitly captures Yeva’s non-native English with gentle humor (“This is sucks”). These flawed, endearing road trippers will warm reader’s hearts. (Nov.)