The car was the excuse. The relationship is the story.
A book club–friendly father–son memoir about rebuilding a broken car—and rebuilding trust, resilience, and connection along the way.
Kirkus Reviews: “an endearing and thought-provoking road odyssey.”
Why book clubs love it:
A father and son restore a beat-up stick-shift car on a $5,000 budget and drive it 5,000 miles across America—discovering that what they’re really rebuilding is their relationship.
Book clubs choose The Kansal Clunker because it’s:
Emotionally resonant — heartfelt, uplifting, and discussion-rich
Accessible — not a “car book,” enjoyable even for non-car readers
Meaningful — explores family bonds, identity, resilience, and mentorship
What readers are saying:
“A heartwarming tale of family bonds.”
“This book stays with you.”
“Moving, cinematic, transformative.”
“An easy read—recommended for young and old.”
“The read/ride of a lifetime.”
“Made me want to reconnect with my dad/family.”
Amazon: 4.9/5 | Goodreads: 4.8/5
Planning a book club discussion?
We’ve made it easy. Download a printable kit designed to spark a great conversation.
What’s inside
Discussion Guide (10+ questions) spanning family, leadership, resilience, and identity
Theme map (trust, mentorship, learning-by-doing, reconnection)
Quotes & prompts for deeper discussion
Meet the Authors (short bios + background)
Optional: The Kansal Project Challenge — a simple shared-project activity your group can try
Want the authors to join your book club?
We love meeting readers. Neil and Ruchin are available for virtual book club visits (Q&A + discussion) and select in-person events where feasible.
What it looks like
20–30 minute author drop-in + Q&A
Ideal for groups of 10+ readers
Includes discussion prompts + facilitation support if desired
We respond quickly and do our best to accommodate book club schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Not at all. Readers consistently say it’s “not a car book”—it’s about family, connection, and growth.
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Yes. The book is written in a dual father–son voice and naturally prompts conversation about relationships, identity, resilience, and leadership.
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Approximately 200 pages—an easy, engaging read for groups.
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Yes—virtual author visits are available. Use the request form above.