You Shall Know Our Velocity! is about two friends, Will and Hand, who embark on a spontaneous journey to give away a large sum of money. As they travel through countries and encounter various people and situations, they struggle to find the right way to use their newfound wealth. The story delves into themes of friendship, loss, and the search for meaning in life.
Table of Content
You Shall Know Our Velocity! Book Summary
Will and Hand are grieving the loss of their close friend, Jack. In an attempt to escape their sorrow, they decide to travel the world and give away a large sum of money within a set timeframe. Their journey takes them through different countries, where they encounter a range of diverse characters and situations.
As they navigate through Senegal, Morocco, and other locations, they confront their own struggles and fears. Will's introspective nature contrasts sharply with Hand's impulsive actions, creating tension and comedy within their friendship.
In Senegal, Will meets Linz, a woman with whom he develops an emotional connection. This encounter forces Will to re-evaluate his feelings of loss and his approach to relationships. The group's time in Senegal is a pivotal moment of reflection and growth.
They continue their journey to Morocco, where they meet Nico, a deaf and mute boy. This encounter deeply affects them, and they grapple with the responsibility and impact of their actions in giving away the money.
Will and Hand's travels lead them to Lithuania, where they befriend Ruth, a woman who has lost her identity and seeks to reclaim it through dance. Her story resonates with Will, who is also on a quest for personal meaning and redemption.
Throughout their journey, they are haunted by Jack's death and the question of what his life meant. They confront the concept of mortality and the idea that one's existence should leave a lasting impression on the world.
After navigating through a series of chaotic and profound encounters, Will and Hand return to their starting point. They are faced with the reality that their journey was more about understanding themselves and their place in the world than it was about the money they tried to give away.
They realize that the true velocity is not about physical speed, but the emotional and psychological pace at which one processes life's events. Their experiences have led to an understanding that the impact they make on others is what truly defines their existence.
Will and Hand's friendship, which has been tested and transformed throughout the journey, emerges stronger and with a deeper understanding of each other.
They come to terms with their grief and the loss of Jack, recognizing that life is about the connections we make and the moments we share with others.
Their journey has been one of self-discovery and reflection, ultimately leading them to a place of acceptance and the promise of a new beginning.
You Shall Know Our Velocity! Quotes
- I am uncomfortable with the idea of standing on this planet for too long.
- The only thing that makes sense is to strive for greater collective enlightenment.
You Shall Know Our Velocity! Ending Explained
At the end of You Shall Know Our Velocity!, Will and Hand return to the United States after their whirlwind journey.
They are unable to give away the money as intended, but the experience has changed them profoundly. They have found closure in their friendship and their own individual paths.
Both characters have come to a deeper understanding of life and loss, and they are ready to move forward with the knowledge and experiences gained from their journey.
Characters in book You Shall Know Our Velocity!
- Will: The protagonist who is mourning the recent death of his friend, Jack. Will is impulsive and seeks to find meaning in his life through the journey he embarks on with Hand.
- Hand: Will's extroverted and unpredictable best friend, who joins him on the trip to give away the money. Hand's free-spirited nature often contrasts with Will's more contemplative character.
- Linz: A woman Will meets in Senegal who becomes entangled in their journey. She has a profound impact on Will's perspective of life and relationships.
- Nico: A young boy in Morocco who is deaf and mute. Will and Hand's interaction with Nico leads to a significant turning point in the story.
- Ruth: A woman from Lithuania who Will and Hand befriend. She is a dancer and her story reflects the theme of loss and the search for identity.
Key Lessons
- Embrace Change: Change is inevitable and can lead to growth and new opportunities.
- Value Friendship: True friends are a source of support and understanding, especially in times of hardship and self-discovery.
- Seek Meaning: The pursuit of meaning and purpose in life is a deeply personal journey that requires reflection and exploration.
- Impact Others Positively: The way we affect others can be more important than our own personal accomplishments or material wealth.
- Process Grief: Grief is a natural response to loss that takes time and requires acceptance and understanding to move forward.
My Personal Opinion
Is You Shall Know Our Velocity! worth reading? Totally, I loved the depth of the character's internal struggles and the way the story explores the human experience. The book's themes of friendship and the search for meaning are powerful and resonant.
I found the nonlinear narrative somewhat confusing at first, but as I delved deeper, it added to the sense of disorientation that the characters were experiencing. The book beautifully captures the complexities of grief and the transformative power of travel and human connection.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy contemplative literature and are open to stories that challenge their perspective on life. It's a profound tale that is likely to leave a lasting impression, especially on those who are in a period of personal reflection or growth.