New Book: A Pilgrimage to Eternity

[RobertS26]

I see that there is a new book on the bestsellers list called A Pilgrimage to Eternity: From Canterbury to Rome in Search of Faith by Timothy Egan. Has anyone read it? Do you recommend it? And why?

 

[Bradypus]

I have read it. Quite a challenging read: a great deal of family history of sexual abuse and other resentments against the Catholic church and a number of long diversions into church history and doctrinal questions. Not simply a travelogue. The author remains quite open and questioning and overall seems to find his journey a very positive experience.

 

[bmcbride]

I have just started reading it; only at chapter 5. I'm finding it a bit slow-going at first. As the previous post indicated, it is not a travelogue (which might have been what I was expecting before starting to read it). But now I'm intrigued enough to want to continue reading

 

[timr]

I read the publicity first, and read an interview, and saw that he admitted he took bus and train when it suited him. I support him 100% in this - it's none of my business and I would genuinely never criticise anyone else's choice, BUT it made me sure I didn't want to read it. Hopping ahead is not my style. I have walked from Canterbury to Thessaloniki in the past year.

Then finally a sample appeared on Amazon which I read. And I was beguiled. I bought the print version the day it came out!

And then next day I headed for Spain for the Camino de Invierno. I’m sitting in Rodeiro as I write this in a lIvely bar. And I'm looking forward to reading the book next week.

I did touch my copy before I left!

 

[jayree]

I've just read it and very much enjoyed it. In fact I ordered Egan's book after a brief discussion on this forum one week ago. This is not the usual chatty travelogue that most pilgrims write but a thoughtful exploration of the history of the VF and Catholicism. But, as my grandfather often said, "sometimes the truth hurts."

 

[jayree]

Discussion last week including NYT article by Timothy Egan

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/new-york-times-article.65040/#post-795525