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All Over the Map Audiobook
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(3.00) - 584 listener ratings
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On a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, to celebrate her fortieth birthday, Laura Fraser confronts the unique trajectory of her life. Divorced and childless in her thirties, she found solace in the wanderlust that had always directed her heart—and found love and comfort in the arms of a dashing Frenchman. Their Italian affair brought her back to herself—but now she wonders if her passion for travel (and for short-lived romantic rendezvous) has deprived her of what she secretly wants most from life: a husband, a family, a home.
When her Parisian lover meets her in Oaxaca and gives her news that he's found someone new, Laura is stunned and hurt. Now, it seems, she has nothing but her own independence for company—and, at forty, a lot more wrinkles on her face and fewer years of fertility. How is Laura going to reconcile what seem to be two opposite desires: for adventure, travel, great food, and new experiences, but also a place to call home—and a loving pair of arms to greet her there?
So she globe hops. What else is a travel writer to do? From Argentina to Peru, Naples to Paris, she basks in the glow of new cultures and local delicacies, always on the lookout for the "one" who might become a lifelong companion. But when a terrible incident occurs while she's on assignment in the South Pacific, Laura suddenly finds herself more aware of her vulnerability and becomes afraid of traveling. It seems as if she might lose the very thing that has given her so much pleasure in her life, not to mention the career she has built for herself as a world traveler and chronicler of far-flung places.
Finding herself again will be both more difficult and more natural than she imagined. Ultimately, Laura realizes the most important journey she must take is an internal one. And the tale of how she reaches that place will captivate every woman who has ever yearned for a different life.
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"This memoir is a good read. Laura's writing assignments take her all over the world, living a fascinating life full of adventure that most people would be envious of. But there is something important missing in her life and Laura takes us along for the ride on her emotional journey to become strong, independent and satisfied. Definitely would recommend."
— Karen (4 out of 5 stars)
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Entertaining chick lit that should resonate with women striving to have it all.
— Kirkus
All Over the Map Listener Reviews
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" I probably should have read this 20 years ago; though well-written, it just seemed self-indulgent. Not in a good way. "
— Jo, 2/17/2014 -
" Sad to say, but I found this book immensely depressing. It followed the theme of wildly popular, "Eat,Pray,Love." Laura's tale paralleled Elizabeth's and both, through travel and writing, found balance. Though the overall tone of this book brought my mood down, I appreciated the glimpse that Laura gave of us of her life and challenges. Particularly, as a woman, I felt that her honesty about her age, position in her life and society was captured and expressed with grace and endearment towards anyone that may be in a similar position. I probably wouldn't read this book a second time, but am very happy to have read it. It made me appreciate my individuality and made me curious about a few new places. "
— Annette, 2/6/2014 -
" I enjoyed the book for the glimpses into a lifestyle full of traveling. I didn't so much enjoy the soul-searching aspects of the author's attempt to find fulfillment and peace in her life. "
— Bkh4, 2/6/2014 -
" This was okay. I enjoyed the descriptions of the wonderful places the author visited. I just couldn't get over the fact that she felt her life wasn't complete without a man. "
— Judy, 1/28/2014 -
" I had anticipated more of a travel memoir, but Fraser's focus was more inward. However, I still enjoyed her writing style. "
— Tina, 1/26/2014 -
" I'd seen reviews for this book in all kinds of magazines, plus it's all about travel, so I was excited to read it. However, I never really identified with Laura, and thus was unable to get hooked into her story. I ended up skipping through the chapters to see the different destinations and then reading the lovely descriptions of the places. Overall, the book wasn't what I hoped. "
— Kimberly, 1/21/2014 -
" One woman's random adventures strung together with the theme of personal growth. A very intelligent, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes scary, sometimes uplifting read. "
— Raina, 1/20/2014 -
" I really wanted to like it. I was hoping it would be another under the tuscan sun or eat pray love. But about around page 96 I decided it was not worth my time finishing. "
— Laura, 1/14/2014 -
" This book definitely improved 2/3rds in ,I didn't like the first half at all but really enjoyed reading about Rwanda ,Peru,and was very happy about the ending!!i don't like that its compared with eat,pray.. As that is one of the worst books I've ever read(didn't finish) "
— Anna, 1/10/2014 -
" I liked the beginning of the book and the premise.... the author is an impulsive writer who loves to travel, eat and enjoy life. This part of the book was great... I got bored with her constant attempts to find a man because she felt she was/should be ready to settle down and feel more complete. "
— Sgilbert, 12/28/2013 -
" Good read, got to the part where you learn about the main character's "tragedy" and couldn't read anymore. "
— Jessica, 11/8/2013 -
" a very important book to read for any women who are stuck in one phase in their life, lost and have no idea who to turn to or what to do to steer their life back to the right path. this book resonates with a lot of parts in my life, and i am glad i ever decided to pick this book up. "
— Susan, 6/18/2013 -
" Somehow I read this entire book, which I don't remember buying and was on my Kindle, thinking it was fiction. I was very surprised at the end to find it was a memoir...Definitely clouded my feelings about the book. "
— Jeanne, 12/25/2012 -
" Loved reading the book, great descriptions of places and food, and it was interesting to read some about the authors emotional life. It did take her a long time to figure out how to be a grownup. Glad she found a home and a life. "
— Linda, 8/12/2012 -
" A continuation of her earlier travel memoir. I like her style of writing. She is both insightful and occasionally annoying, and she is aware of this. I appreciate her honesty. "
— Leslie, 7/3/2011 -
" Light, enjoyable read. Entertaining tale of a single female travel writer exploring what she is looking for in life as she enters forties with lots of interesting travel settings and situations. Much more believable and less melodramatic/whiney than Eat, Pray, Love. "
— Erynn, 5/6/2011 -
" I did like this book...loved parts of it..but have to admit I didn't read the last 50 pages as I was bored which surprised me...lots of description of her travels "
— kathi, 3/26/2011 -
" Love her writing. Read this one in a single day b/c I was so curious to find out what happened next. "
— Eliz, 3/15/2011 -
" Worth the wait, as a huge fan of her previous work, An Italian Affair. "
— Laila, 2/15/2011 -
" the author takes us on her travels as she tries to deal with her midlife crisis of being single and childless in her forties. "
— Shari, 11/8/2010 -
" An "Eat, Pray, Love" read-alike. Part travelogue, part mid-life crisis memoir. The author travels all over the world while she tries to rebuild her life after a painful break up. At times humourous and at others poignant. I enjoyed the book so much that I read it in just a day and a half! "
— Ehbooklover, 10/4/2010
About Laura Fraser
Laura Fraser is a San Francisco-based journalist and the author of the New York Times bestseller An Italian Affair and Losing It. Her articles have been featured in the New York Times, O, the Oprah Magazine, Gourmet, Vogue, Mother Jones, Health, and numerous other magazines, as well as anthologies. Fraser has taught writing at local universities and national workshops. She works with several other San Francisco writers and filmmakers in a collective called the Grotto, where she also regularly teaches classes.
About Kirsten Potter
Kirsten Potter has won several awards, including more than a dozen AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a three-time finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. Her work has been recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and by AudioFile magazine, among many others. She graduated with highest honors from Boston University and has performed on stage and in film and television, including roles on Medium, Bones, and Judging Amy.