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rebeccakb's review
3.0
Healing and meditation through the practice walking the old pathways across France gives the reader the chance to see a non tourist side, while the author expounds on the damages done by self serving politicians, big ag, and the very people both were meant help.
thechapterhouse's review
2.0
Reading translated books always makes for an interesting experience--you're reading the translator as much as the author!
In this particular read, I didn't feel the translation did the author any favors. I never really connected with Tesson, nor did I find the narrative particularly compelling. It is a very introspective journey--which to a point, I appreciate and usually enjoy; I'm an ISTJ myself, and the introverted/thinking elements of my own personality certainly were lit; alas, the read just didn't pan out, not to mention Tesson's painting many people and beliefs with a broad brushstroke. It left little room for dialogue.
Ultimately a DNF read.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
In this particular read, I didn't feel the translation did the author any favors. I never really connected with Tesson, nor did I find the narrative particularly compelling. It is a very introspective journey--which to a point, I appreciate and usually enjoy; I'm an ISTJ myself, and the introverted/thinking elements of my own personality certainly were lit; alas, the read just didn't pan out, not to mention Tesson's painting many people and beliefs with a broad brushstroke. It left little room for dialogue.
Ultimately a DNF read.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
russianspy's review
adventurous
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
3.0
Sylvain Tesson prend la route des chemins noirs. Loin des bouffées étouffantes des pots d’échappement, il s’aventure non pas sans peine, sans douleur et courage à travers un asile serein, sculpté par les monts et les vallées. Ses pieds trainent, ses jambes pèsent et se cognent, sans cesse, à la porte de son esprit assoiffé. Fuir est sa raison d’être, sans pouvoir courir, il marche - mais ce jamais à reculons, tel l’Helix, à travers la diagonale du vide. Un trou vacant où lui seul souhaite s’engouffrer avec allégresse. Ce dernier saut l’entraine jusqu’au plus hauts sommets. Deux bâtons à la main, contre une terre qui le soutient, contre un sol mouvant prêt à se jouer de ses jambes balbutiantes, devenues à la fois ressource et fardeau. De temps à autre, elles parviennent étonnamment à se dédoubler sous la forme d’une compagnie fidèle, pour mieux en apprécier les instants où elles se retrouvent, nez à nez.
missdaisy17's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.5
fallona's review
3.0
I received an electronic ARC via NetGalley.
There are some genuinely beautiful passages in this short book, though in some regards it feels like it tries to cover too much ground for its length. Part travelogue, part account of the author's recovery, part meditation on modernity--it's in some ways an odd little book, and one that is probably better appreciated by someone with more knowledge of Tesson's prior literary output.
There are some genuinely beautiful passages in this short book, though in some regards it feels like it tries to cover too much ground for its length. Part travelogue, part account of the author's recovery, part meditation on modernity--it's in some ways an odd little book, and one that is probably better appreciated by someone with more knowledge of Tesson's prior literary output.
kristenlesperance's review
3.0
This was not my favorite book of this genre, but it was an enjoyable read. I really love books about modern day explorers traveling and living off the land and the locals, but I felt that this one fell a little flat for me. I wish more of us lived closer to the land and more in tune with it and I love when books provide that sense of longing for that through their writing, but this one felt a little preachy at times.
I did enjoy the landscape and area with which he traveled and wrote about. It is something that I have not had much chance to read about and so was new and interesting to hear the stories of.
I would recommend this story to explorer/memoir fans, as even if it is not my favorite it was still a short and enjoyable read.
I did enjoy the landscape and area with which he traveled and wrote about. It is something that I have not had much chance to read about and so was new and interesting to hear the stories of.
I would recommend this story to explorer/memoir fans, as even if it is not my favorite it was still a short and enjoyable read.
audreylee's review
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
A slow, philosophical look at nature's healing properties in one man's life after a tragic accident. More time was spent on the philosophizing than the nature elements. Thanks to Edelweiss for a review copy.
kriziaannacastro's review
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
Thank you netgalley for the free ARC Copy.
I love travel books, I love travelling and seeing the world but with this pandemic I have to settle with reading about different places thus picking out this book. The author's story is admirable and inspiring but there is a disconnect with his situation and the story he is building. We get a lot of his thoughts especially about hyperruralism, globalization and the internet. I didn't really get to explore rural and coastal France as much as I want to. This feels like reading some ramblings. The dates are also very vague, a year would have provided more context. Some pictures would have been nice as well.
I love travel books, I love travelling and seeing the world but with this pandemic I have to settle with reading about different places thus picking out this book. The author's story is admirable and inspiring but there is a disconnect with his situation and the story he is building. We get a lot of his thoughts especially about hyperruralism, globalization and the internet. I didn't really get to explore rural and coastal France as much as I want to. This feels like reading some ramblings. The dates are also very vague, a year would have provided more context. Some pictures would have been nice as well.