Scan barcode
jlem's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.75
jeffrey_rid's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
rogerjpatterson's review
4.0
agen documents his pilgrimage on the Via Francigena, a pilgrimage began in the first millenium that takes pilgrims from Canterbury England, across northern and eastern France, through Switzerland, across the Alps, and down Italy to Rome. Early on, Eagan cites as one of the motivations for his journey to find "a stiff shot of no-bullshit spirituality." Specifically, he wants to understand what he believes about religion against the backdrop of his more or less discarded childhood upbringing as Roman Catholic. He visits this question at times throughout the book, but it is an occasional theme rather than a constant refrain. Clearly he is also motivated by the desire to travel and see whatever can be learned along the road. Who can blame him for that?
In any event, his experiences through months on the road provide sufficient opportunity for enlightening observation and reflection, his research provides perspective without getting in the way of the journey, and he teases out useful lessons from his experience. He employs a sometimes flippant humor that can be annoying, but it is not so pervasive as to be distracting. Though he has useful insights about religion along the way, In the end, it's not clear whether he resolves his skepticism of organized religion in general or his attitude toward the Catholic church in particular, especially its failure to address child abuse in its ranks. The closest he comes to a conclusion is a somewhat offhanded reference to the strength for him of the Easter message that "Nothing can keep my love in the grave." Eagan's daughter, who accompanies him for a bit of the pilgrimage, probably has the best conclusion: "I don't like labels. I don't have a text or Bible I consult. But I know what I believe in. I value family, friends, love, community, lifelong learning, continuous self-improvement, reflection, creative expression, empathy, care of the natural world and all the creatures who inhabit it."
In any event, his experiences through months on the road provide sufficient opportunity for enlightening observation and reflection, his research provides perspective without getting in the way of the journey, and he teases out useful lessons from his experience. He employs a sometimes flippant humor that can be annoying, but it is not so pervasive as to be distracting. Though he has useful insights about religion along the way, In the end, it's not clear whether he resolves his skepticism of organized religion in general or his attitude toward the Catholic church in particular, especially its failure to address child abuse in its ranks. The closest he comes to a conclusion is a somewhat offhanded reference to the strength for him of the Easter message that "Nothing can keep my love in the grave." Eagan's daughter, who accompanies him for a bit of the pilgrimage, probably has the best conclusion: "I don't like labels. I don't have a text or Bible I consult. But I know what I believe in. I value family, friends, love, community, lifelong learning, continuous self-improvement, reflection, creative expression, empathy, care of the natural world and all the creatures who inhabit it."
pagesofpins's review against another edition
4.0
A cleared eyed look at both the appeals and crimes of the church from the perspective of a lapsed Spokane Catholic. I appreciated that while the author did experience spiritual growth, he still has no easy answers at the end.
pamiverson's review against another edition
4.0
the Seattle-based New York Times journalist travels the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome. He recounts his experiences on the pilgrimage and other aspects of his journey – his struggles with faith, especially the damage the Catholic Church has caused through history and to boyhood friends; saints and their relics he encounters on the way. I think it would mean more to me were I Catholic or had to been to any of these places.
iteechesinglish's review against another edition
reflective
4.0
I deeply appreciated this personal reflection on faith in the modern world. Part travelogue, part spiritual diary, Egan adds in a nice mix of Christian history and highlights of his time walking the Via Francigena. So many of his own doubts and questions mirror my own that reading this book made me feel understood. I appreciated that Egan was not automatically dismissive of religious experience, but also leveled some serious criticisms and arguments against Christianity. The ending of the book felt a bit rushed, and leaves with no easy answers, but the journey along the way was thought-provoking and encouraged me to keep thinking and seeking. The local connection to my hometown of Spokane was a bonus. Thanks to the author for writing this.
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
4.0
Recommended by Ellen. Read her review on the Cook Memorial Public Library blog, Shelf Life: https://shelflife.cooklib.org/2020/03/03/ellens-pick-of-the-week-a-pilgrimage-to-eternity-from-canterbury-to-rome-in-search-of-a-faith-by-timothy-egan/