A Sense of Direction: Pilgrimage for the Restless and the Hopeful Audiobook

" A friend got a copy, had it signed, was bored with it, passed it on to me, and I was bored too. Self-indulgent, no sense of emotional depth. Speaks of his travels as though he's the only person who's ever traveled. A total turn-off, a complete snooze. "

" "'Eat, Pray, Love' as if written by David Foster Wallace" is way too charitable (thanks, Gary Shteyngart). Don't compare someone to a unique master if they don't deserve it. Made it about halfway through when I realized it wasn't really worth continuing. "

" Gideon Lewis-Kraus arrives with the potential of any young writer-- that he'll write work that transcends his own experience, that he'll illuminate something about the larger world. This book attempts that, but ultimately becomes an act of immature self-indulgence and immense ego (which would match his persona, if his author appearances are any indication). The "restless and hopeful" mentioned is, predictably, himself, and the book reads like another flimsy MFA thesis about ME ME ME, which results in, for the reader, YAWN YAWN YAWN. "

" Having seen "The Way" about one man's pilgrimage on "Camino de Santiago", I found this segment on Gideon's book the most interesting for its contrast to the film. By the time I got through Shikoku I was getting a bit tired of his whining about his sore feet (seems like he could've trained a bit more these efforts). As I'm neither Jewish nor was ever estranged from my loving father, I found the last event in Uman a bit tiresome. Gideon is, however, a good enough writer to hold your interest. "

" I liked this book a lot. I hope I run in to Gideon Lewis-Kraus at Tartine Bakery one of these mornings to thank him in person. "

" Best account I've read yet on pilgrimage in general and the Camino de Santiago in particular and I've read a lot on that subject. Less interesting was his report on The Shikoku, an even longer pilgrimage that seemed to be fueled by his anger toward the writer of the guidebook he carried, and his father. His overall ill-humour, which began when the Camino ended,lessened my enjoyment of this book. "

" Will you like this story? If you enjoy the fine art of eavesdropping, you just might. One person's tedious ramblings is another's witty and insightful musings set against a background of pilgrimages and pilgrims. "

" Definitely on the favorable side of the mixed reviews; really identified with pieces, laughed at parts and overall an interesting travel log. I didn't expect for it to change my life, and I think that allowed me to enjoy much more than others. "

" Description of "pilgrimaging" is interesting since I'm planning to walk the Camino myself. Thankfully author's account is not nearly as whiny, annoying and tiresome as Eat Pray Love. Still a pretty self absorbed account of own directionless. Little take away or conclusion. "

" Great book! Makes me want to go walking! "

" Whiny & rambling "

" Hilarious but genuine too. Best account of Camino De Santiago I've read yet. "

" Don't read this book if you aren't a hipster or aren't interested in hipsters. "

" Possibly the most boring book that I've ever finished. Though actually I skimmed large parts of the book. But the last of the author's three "pilgrimages," the one with the Hasidim, was sort of interesting. "