The Scottish novelist Joan Fallon, currently lives and works in the south of Spain. She writes both contemporary and historical fiction, but has also written a work of non-fiction which has proved the inspiration for at least two of her subsequent novels. Two aspects of Joan's life particularly influence her writing. The first is being a woman who grew up during the sixties and seventies, at a time when it was harder for a woman to gain recognition in a man's world. Consequently almost all her books have a strong female protagonist. The second influence is the fact that she has lived in Spain for the last twenty years. Spanish history and culture fascinate her and have provided some of the most exotic settings in her historical novels.
A Journey of Personal Growth
By Barbara M. Webb on 25 Feb. 2017
Part of being on a pilgrimage is the cumulative effect of events
that take place during while the discipline of walking is
maintained. The Camino de Santiago is no different. Everyone has a
reason for walking it and everyone learns something from it.
For Beth, the protagonist of this novel, the lesson was "life was
for living". There was no miracle but through meeting other people
and their problems, she found the strength to face the future and
accept what it would bring.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the landscape along the way, as well
as the heartfelt sharing between the different personalities on the
pilgrimage. The book emphasises the humanity that underlies all of
humanity.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful inspiring read, a page turner
By Elaine Rowland on 21 May 2013
I read this delightful book - a series of tales of Pilgrims on the
Camino de Santiago, just after visiting Santiago de Compostela and
was really moved by the trials and tribulations of the characters,
whose stories unfold as the book and the Camino draw ever closer to
the great Cathedral and burial place of St James. The little
miracles that occur during the journey and at it's end are heart
warming. (Don't want to give the plot away!) As other reviewers
have said it is reminiscent of Chaucer's Pilgrim's Tales and as
such is rather inspiring. I only wish I had the guts to undertake
the Camino! Well done Joan, write some more like this please!
5.0 out of 5 stars
A heartening & page-turning read
By Ann Victoria Roberts on 17 Mar. 2013
Thoroughly enjoyed Joan Fallon's latest novel. The characters were
well-drawn and believable, they drew the reader in with a variety
of personal stories revealed over the length of the pilgrimage. The
essence of the Camino was there - not just in the places and the
difficult terrain, but in the way it changes people. It was very
well conveyed - the length of the journey, the act of retracing
other pilgrim's footsteps, the generosity and bonding experienced
between strangers along the way. It made me want to go back to
northern Spain and walk the Camino myself
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