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protoman21's review against another edition
3.0
I was excited when I heard about this book, but the execution left some to be desired. I am not a history buff and was more interested in the hiking part of the adventure, so what I got was mostly history. There were interesting parts, but this just isn't my cup of tea.
maevejreilly's review against another edition
didn't finish. Author is a pretentious American food critic living in France. His wife is a photographer and he constantly mocks how many photos she takes--why she puts up with it I don't know, cause she's the more talented person!
aelbergan's review against another edition
3.0
I ended up not entirely finishing this book because I just lost interest. it was kind of tedious and the author would just periodically go off on long-winded ramblings about historical odds and ends.
alundeberg's review against another edition
3.0
Downie is a skeptic alright, but sometimes I could use someone who is more of an enthusiast. As he and his wife Allison go on their pilgrimage, he connects the ancient past to his present of Bush's America and the role of empires in the world. I appreciate this outlook, but sometimes he is very judgmental of people he meets and not often fairly so. There are parts of this book that are more tiresome than walking the trail.
ricefun's review against another edition
3.0
This one took me a long time to read - and quite frankly I considered stopping in the middle. In preparation for my own Camino experience next year, I'm reading a variety of accounts by various voices. This book is a part of the collection at the Wichita Public Library and so I checked it out several months ago.
While I can appreciate that a skeptic (who remains skeptical and softens little) has important reflections to share about their own Camino experience - I barely connected with this book. An exception was the beautiful photography contributed by Alison Harris, Downie's wife. Based on his descriptions of her, I would have appreciated her walking memoir rather than his.
I was particularly bothered by the authors taunting and disrespect for people of true faith who undertake these journeys. Downie was particularly jaded about the Taize community - a place and experience I hold dear.
I'm intrigued by the route that this couple chose as their own Camino experience - as it is less traveled and therefore one that I've learned little about. Hearing more about the Roman roads and the local political history of France was engaging. And still, the whole work stemmed from cynicism that rarely appreciated or accepted the stories of others along "the way."
While I can appreciate that a skeptic (who remains skeptical and softens little) has important reflections to share about their own Camino experience - I barely connected with this book. An exception was the beautiful photography contributed by Alison Harris, Downie's wife. Based on his descriptions of her, I would have appreciated her walking memoir rather than his.
I was particularly bothered by the authors taunting and disrespect for people of true faith who undertake these journeys. Downie was particularly jaded about the Taize community - a place and experience I hold dear.
I'm intrigued by the route that this couple chose as their own Camino experience - as it is less traveled and therefore one that I've learned little about. Hearing more about the Roman roads and the local political history of France was engaging. And still, the whole work stemmed from cynicism that rarely appreciated or accepted the stories of others along "the way."
kayleajayne's review against another edition
2.0
The author is pretentious, but when he sticks to the history and describing the land as he and his wife walk, it’s great. But even at the end when he has supposedly learned something, in speaking about religious people, he’s a jerk. He’s not likeable at all. He is snooty and struggling to believe in anything. I know it says a skeptic on the title, but you would hope for more of a life change in such a person. He’s cynical and annoying. He was angry and grumpy most of that time, and truly seemed to be a miserable person. His writing is great. He’s not. Brilliant people can have faith in God. Well-read and well-learned people can and do have faith. But from what I read, and how he described people of faith, Downie doesn’t believe this can be true. His utter contempt could not be disguised. He wasn’t searching. He wasn’t out to see. He never opened his mind to it, and even in the end, his faux epiphanies about being okay with religious people rang hollow. I don’t mind a skeptic or unbeliever and their struggle. But I do mind someone pretending to look into something that they never gave a chance and bashed the entire book. The Title is completely misleading.
berthe33's review against another edition
4.0
Pay attention to the sub title..." a skeptic walks the way of St. James". Skeptic indeed.Entertainingly well written, it is both a travel narrative and musings on what it's all about....(the journey NOT a destination is my read).Having lived in FRance a while back, his descriptions of the people of the Morvan (in particular) absolutely ring true.The author's skepticism/cynicism shines through in many instances...particularly when it comes to the pomp & circumstance of catholic pagentry and Francois Mitterand....A very enjoyable memoir.
collegecate's review against another edition
1.0
this book contained more than its fair share of grumpy American man yells at kids/tourists/others. the guy is kind of a jerk and I don't think he actually learned much in the end. I ended up having to finish as an audio book just to get through it.
maevejreilly's review against another edition
didn't finish. Author is a pretentious American food critic living in France. His wife is a photographer and he constantly mocks how many photos she takes--why she puts up with it I don't know, cause she's the more talented person!
alundeberg's review against another edition
3.0
Downie is a skeptic alright, but sometimes I could use someone who is more of an enthusiast. As he and his wife Allison go on their pilgrimage, he connects the ancient past to his present of Bush's America and the role of empires in the world. I appreciate this outlook, but sometimes he is very judgmental of people he meets and not often fairly so. There are parts of this book that are more tiresome than walking the trail.