"The Great Westward Walk" - A must-read!

[alexwalker]

I am filled with joy tonight: I have just completed the book "The Great Westward Walk".

If you are thinking about walking the Camino: Read this first. This is, when you consider the end outcome, a heartbreaking story: The author is now dead due to ALS, a terrible disease, that I have experienced firsthand. But before he died, he managed to produce this remarkable book.

Pilgrims, firsttimers as well as us old-timers, should read this adventure before embarking on the Camino: This book is written by a young man of exceptional insight, strength, sufferings, joy, and understanding of a meaningful life, packed with both practical as well as spiritual guidances for the Camino.

Newbies will cherish all advice and stories; Oldtimers will love the familiarity of all places on the French Camino, as well as the deeper meaning/history of the places on the Camino Frances.

It has been a big success in Spain, and it has now been translated into English by one of the Dames of this forum : @Rebekah Scott Thank you for your efforts!

I urge you to get a copy of this incredible insight into the Camino Frances from a young man that is unfortunately no longer with us.

Here is some info on the young and insightful man (It is in Spanish; use Google translate):

http://www.blogseitb.com/rogeblasco/2013/08/14/antxon-gonzalez-gabarain-el-gran-caminante/

And you can buy it here (English version): Possibly the best preparation for your next Camino, whether firsttime or veterano:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/8461792874/?tag=casaivar02-20

I should also state that I have no economic interests in this whatsoever: I just want both future and experienced pilgrims to be better educated and understand more about what an exceptional voyage we embark upon. This book is exceptional. I feel sorry for his daughters who lost such a father.

Edit: Moderators, IMHO, this post/resource should be a sticky: It gives so much of the Camino spirit.

 

[FamPed]

Thank you @alexwalker. I'm looking forward to read this book.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola Alex - small question - do I buy a hard copy or is the e_book format sufficient. I read nearly all books on my iPad these days. Cheers

 

[alexwalker]

Hola Alex - small question - do I buy a hard copy or is the e_book format sufficient. I read nearly all books on my iPad these days. Cheers

I am not sure - I like to hold a book in my hand. But I see they also sell it as a Kindle download.

 

[NualaOC]

Hola Alex - small question - do I buy a hard copy or is the e_book format sufficient. I read nearly all books on my iPad these days. Cheers

I bought both! I read it on my kindle and then really wanted a hard copy. It's a great read - highly recommended.

 

[Davie Blisters]

Thank you @alexwalker. I'm looking forward to read this book.

DITTO

 

[t2andreo]

Alex:

I just ordered it from Amazon US. Yes, it is offered as a Kindle download for USD 5.95, or in large paperback for $15.95.

I too, prefer an analog book, unless it is to be carried on Camino. So, I oprted for the hard copy.

Thanks for the lead.

Kudos to Rebekah. She is named as co-author on Amazon. That cannot hurt.

Tom

 

[alexwalker]

Alex:

I just ordered it from Amazon US. Yes, it is offered as a Kindle download for USD 5.95, or in large paperback for $15.95.

I too, prefer an analog book, unless it is to be carried on Camino. So, I oprted for the hard copy.

Thanks for the lead.

Kudos to Rebekah. She is named as co-author on Amazon. That cannot hurt.

Tom

Hi Tom,

I know you will love this one. It is shere poetry and tons of all things Camino-related. When you get the book, find your best chair and a bottle of Rioja, "return" to the Camino and leave this world for some time

PS: Setting out again in 4 days: You know how it is...

Edit:

Kudos to Rebekah. She is named as co-author on Amazon. That cannot hurt.

@Rebekah Scott is named as translator on Amazon, which is correct, and that is all good. You can read her intro if you pre-read the first pages on Amazon (Click on the cover).

The book may need a revision due to some grammar/misspellling errors (say I, a Norwegian!), but this version is brilliant as is. She has done a great job of it.

 

[CaminoDebrita]

It sounds wonderful. Thanks for the recommendation, and congrats to the author and also to Reb.

 

[VNwalking]

I've just spent the better part of the afternoon and evening totally absorbed in this book.
It's more than the usual tiresome Camino memoir, no doubt about it.

@Rebekah Scott , for someone who claims to have a mediocre level of skill in Spanish...well, of course what can I tell about the accuracy of the translation? But that's not your voice in those words, it's Bolitx's - loud and clear. This is a wonderful read, and I kept forgetting it was not originally written in English. Well done, and thank you for bringing this to light for the rest of us!

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Interesting to see this thread today, the anniversary of Bolitx's passing.

well gee, you guys. It was an honor to be asked to do the translating job. It took a lot longer than I thought it would, and I ended up working without a final edit, which is why there are typos... those are MY mistakes, yes. But I was working without a net!

It is an exceptional book, a real standout in what's often a pretty soggy genre.

If enough people discover the book, we can afford another, cleaner edition!

 

[cher99840]

Thanks for the reminder. I bought the ebook when I first heard about it and then forgot it. It will be my next read ... as soon as I finish the one I'm on.

 

[alexwalker]

Interesting to see this thread today, the anniversary of Bolitx's passing.

Coincidences are God's way of staying anonymous. (Mahatma Gandhi)

Hopefully, many will read your very good translation. I thoroughly enjoyed it: It was difficult to put it down.

 

[CS Peregrina]

I am filled with joy tonight: I have just completed the book "The Great Westward Walk".

If you are thinking about walking the Camino: Read this first. This is, when you consider the end outcome, a heartbreaking story: The author is now dead due to ALS, a terrible disease, that I have experienced firsthand. But before he died, he managed to produce this remarkable book.

Pilgrims, firsttimers as well as us old-timers, should read this adventure before embarking on the Camino: This book is written by a young man of exceptional insight, strength, sufferings, joy, and understanding of a meaningful life, packed with both practical as well as spiritual guidances for the Camino.

Newbies will cherish all advice and stories; Oldtimers will love the familiarity of all places on the French Camino, as well as the deeper meaning/history of the places on the Camino Frances.

It has been a big success in Spain, and it has now been translated into English by one of the Dames of this forum : @Rebekah Scott Thank you for your efforts!

I urge you to get a copy of this incredible insight into the Camino Frances from a young man that is unfortunately no longer with us.

Here is some info on the young and insightful man (It is in Spanish; use Google translate):

http://www.blogseitb.com/rogeblasco/2013/08/14/antxon-gonzalez-gabarain-el-gran-caminante/

And you can buy it here (English version): Possibly the best preparation for your next Camino, whether firsttime or veterano:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/8461792874/?tag=casaivar02-20

I should also state that I have no economic interests in this whatsoever: I just want both future and experienced pilgrims to be better educated and understand more about what an exceptional voyage we embark upon. This book is exceptional. I feel sorry for his daughters who lost such a father.

Edit: Moderators, IMHO, this post/resource should be a sticky: It gives so much of the Camino spirit.

Where/How can I buy it in Spanish? I get the page you link to in this post, but I don't think it's set up for international sales.

 

[alexwalker]

Where/How can I buy it in Spanish? I get the page you link to in this post, but I don't think it's set up for international sales.

I don't know about the Spanish version. Maybe PM @Rebekah Scott ?

 

[PanamaFrancis]

I am filled with joy tonight: I have just completed the book "The Great Westward Walk".

If you are thinking about walking the Camino: Read this first. This is, when you consider the end outcome, a heartbreaking story: The author is now dead due to ALS, a terrible disease, that I have experienced firsthand. But before he died, he managed to produce this remarkable book.

Pilgrims, firsttimers as well as us old-timers, should read this adventure before embarking on the Camino: This book is written by a young man of exceptional insight, strength, sufferings, joy, and understanding of a meaningful life, packed with both practical as well as spiritual guidances for the Camino.

Newbies will cherish all advice and stories; Oldtimers will love the familiarity of all places on the French Camino, as well as the deeper meaning/history of the places on the Camino Frances.

It has been a big success in Spain, and it has now been translated into English by one of the Dames of this forum : @Rebekah Scott Thank you for your efforts!

I urge you to get a copy of this incredible insight into the Camino Frances from a young man that is unfortunately no longer with us.

Here is some info on the young and insightful man (It is in Spanish; use Google translate):

http://www.blogseitb.com/rogeblasco/2013/08/14/antxon-gonzalez-gabarain-el-gran-caminante/

And you can buy it here (English version): Possibly the best preparation for your next Camino, whether firsttime or veterano:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/8461792874/?tag=casaivar02-20

I should also state that I have no economic interests in this whatsoever: I just want both future and experienced pilgrims to be better educated and understand more about what an exceptional voyage we embark upon. This book is exceptional. I feel sorry for his daughters who lost such a father.

Edit: Moderators, IMHO, this post/resource should be a sticky: It gives so much of the Camino spirit.

I just downloaded the book to read on my flight to Spain. We start walking on September 10

 

[mspath]

I don't know about the Spanish version. Maybe PM @Rebekah Scott ?

For more about the Spanish original see this recent forum
thread
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/great-westward-walk-now-in-english.48778/

 

[alexwalker]

For more about the Spanish original see this recent forum
thread
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/great-westward-walk-now-in-english.48778/

Thank you, Margareth! More useful info on this remarkable book.

 

[Pingüigrino]

I heard some time ago in a Spanish pilgrims forum about Bolitx and read any of his older posts. Last year, when voluntering in Irun´s municipal albergue, went to Zumaia and bougt a hard copy of this book. One month later, knew his dad, how is trying to keep his son´s memory alive.
I never knew Bolitx before his dead. I dont know if he would honour me with his friendship, but I can say now, after reading his book that I feel him like the closest of my friends.
The benefits of this book will be used to pay the education of Bolitx´s daugther.
Please don´t think twice and give yourselves a great gift: The joy, the pain, the laugths, the thougths, the hope, the courage of a man, who for sure, you will never forget. The leading of a man who, for sure, will became your friend too.
Buen Camino a toda la gente honrada. ¡Que Dios os sostenga en la palma de su mano!

 

[domigee]

Where/How can I buy it in Spanish? I get the page you link to in this post, but I don't think it's set up for international sales.

https://elgrancaminante.com sell the book but I don't know if they send it abroad.
You can buy it in Spain at the FNAC and major bookshops I am sure.

 

[MTtoCamino]

Thanks!

Got it yesterday.