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Buen Camino! Walk the Camino de Santiago with a Father and Daughter: A Physical Journey that Became a Spiritual Transformation
This is the story of an Irish father and his 18-year-old daughter and their 900-kilometre walk together across northern Spain along the ancient pilgrim route to the tomb of St James.
Peter and Natasha's journey starts in drizzle and wind as they scale Croagh Patrick, Ireland's Holy Mountain in Mayo, before setting off immediately afterwards for the Pyrenees in France. There, they start walking the Camino, the Way of St James, to Santiago de Compostela. It is a gruelling trek over three mountain ranges; through fields and valleys, villages, towns and cities, to the lush countryside and forests of Galicia, and eventually to Finisterre, the pagan end of the earth.
Along the way, they meet a motley collection of other pilgrims -- men and women, young and old, from many countries -- with whom they laugh, cry and above all have fun amid moments of high drama, exhilaration and sometimes exhaustion.
They run with the bulls and parade in a fiesta; they pray with the faithful, and explore the Camino's rich Christian and pagan history, its tiny churches and majestic cathedrals; they stay in its sometimes Spartan pilgrim hostels and appreciate the richness of living simply, with few possessions, on about 20 each a day. And after five weeks' walking, do they still love each other? Absolutely... and would do it all again tomorrow if they could...
"A lovely book for those who have done the Camino, or like me, are thinking of doing it." The Dubliner
"This is a travel book, certainly, but it is much much, more than that. It's about family and friendship and camaraderie, and it is, in the end, a wonderfully warm story about the bond between a loving adventurous father and his daughter ready to embrace the world." - The Irish Mail on Sunday
Peter and Natasha's journey starts in drizzle and wind as they scale Croagh Patrick, Ireland's Holy Mountain in Mayo, before setting off immediately afterwards for the Pyrenees in France. There, they start walking the Camino, the Way of St James, to Santiago de Compostela. It is a gruelling trek over three mountain ranges; through fields and valleys, villages, towns and cities, to the lush countryside and forests of Galicia, and eventually to Finisterre, the pagan end of the earth.
Along the way, they meet a motley collection of other pilgrims -- men and women, young and old, from many countries -- with whom they laugh, cry and above all have fun amid moments of high drama, exhilaration and sometimes exhaustion.
They run with the bulls and parade in a fiesta; they pray with the faithful, and explore the Camino's rich Christian and pagan history, its tiny churches and majestic cathedrals; they stay in its sometimes Spartan pilgrim hostels and appreciate the richness of living simply, with few possessions, on about 20 each a day. And after five weeks' walking, do they still love each other? Absolutely... and would do it all again tomorrow if they could...
"A lovely book for those who have done the Camino, or like me, are thinking of doing it." The Dubliner
"This is a travel book, certainly, but it is much much, more than that. It's about family and friendship and camaraderie, and it is, in the end, a wonderfully warm story about the bond between a loving adventurous father and his daughter ready to embrace the world." - The Irish Mail on Sunday
403 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 18, 2011
32 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 28, 2023
I have enjoyed all the books I have read about the Camino and this one is no exception. However there was a bit too much history in this one for my liking. Skipping some of the heavier sections I followed this father and daughter on the camino Frances and the lovely friendships that were built along the way. One of my criticisms would be both author's judgement of those who only walk short sections of the camino or who don't carry their bags. Peter is quite derogatory and refers to them as Tourisgrinos as he believes they don't deserve to be called peregrinos (pilgrims). He believes this is not in the true Pilgrim spirit. Well Peter neither is drinking lots of wine and beer most nights I would counter!
November 9, 2015
The authors—a father-daughter duo—walked the French Camino in 2010 with the intention of writing a book. They'd previously done a shorter Camino, so they knew what they were getting into. They're also both competent writers, which helps.
That being said, I struggled somewhat with this one. I suspect that if I had not read quite so many memoirs of the Camino in the last two years, my reaction would be less apathetic, but—since I have read quite a bit on the subject—I'm not sure how much this adds. A good book for someone who hasn't heard much of the Camino's history, mind; Peter in particular lays the history on thick.
It's funny—it's entirely possible that if they hadn't gone into the trip planning to write about it, they never would have, but I'm not sure that premeditation served the book all that well. Reads in many places like a casual travel diary: people drop in and out, because it's rarely clear when you met people whether they'll be important to your experience; we get a great deal of minutiae that was important to their experience but feels less important to the narrative. No chapters, either, just line breaks to start a new day. I did appreciate things like Natasha's brief interrogation of the meaning of doing the Camino, and what it means to walk from Sarria for a cause as opposed to walk from St.-Jean for fun (191–192)—but I wished that sort of thing had been drawn out, extended, taken up proportionally more space.
Oh well. Evidently the Camino is not done with me just yet!
That being said, I struggled somewhat with this one. I suspect that if I had not read quite so many memoirs of the Camino in the last two years, my reaction would be less apathetic, but—since I have read quite a bit on the subject—I'm not sure how much this adds. A good book for someone who hasn't heard much of the Camino's history, mind; Peter in particular lays the history on thick.
It's funny—it's entirely possible that if they hadn't gone into the trip planning to write about it, they never would have, but I'm not sure that premeditation served the book all that well. Reads in many places like a casual travel diary: people drop in and out, because it's rarely clear when you met people whether they'll be important to your experience; we get a great deal of minutiae that was important to their experience but feels less important to the narrative. No chapters, either, just line breaks to start a new day. I did appreciate things like Natasha's brief interrogation of the meaning of doing the Camino, and what it means to walk from Sarria for a cause as opposed to walk from St.-Jean for fun (191–192)—but I wished that sort of thing had been drawn out, extended, taken up proportionally more space.
Oh well. Evidently the Camino is not done with me just yet!
March 1, 2014
I found the book interesting and gave me some insight into what it would be like to walk the Camino. I liked the way that the reasons for doing the walk, unfolded as they (father and daughter) went along, also good to see the perspective of both authors of how the journey went for them, as it points out that it is, a very individual thing . Very emotional at times which is very clear to see and good lasting friendships were made and an account of what happened to their friends after the Camino too was good to see. An easy read well done to both authors for their extraordinary efforts in completing the whole journey and for their account of it too.
November 16, 2016
This book is well written - alternating between the voices of father and daughter. It is a special interest book really for anyone interested in the Camino, or related walks or for someone thinking of taking time out. It was like reading someone elses diary that is very relevant and meaningful to them but not as much to the outsider. You don't go to bed dying to read the next part because invariably as the book suggests they will be walking from A to B which is what the book sets out to tell you about.
But I did enjoy it, mostly because I would like to walk some of the Camino some time.
But I did enjoy it, mostly because I would like to walk some of the Camino some time.
August 5, 2013
I really liked this book because it let me imagine what it would be like to walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Written by a father and daughter, it is a day by day account of their journey walking 800km to the shrine of St. James along the pilgrim's trail. The combination of friendships they made along the way, and the opportunity to encounter Spanish culture make it sound like something I would like to do once I can take a month+ off to go walking in Spain.
April 28, 2017
I am wavering on what to say about this book. The whole idea of it is interesting, and both Natasha and Peter come across as interesting people, but the way the book is structured-- it feels as if they have taken bits out of two separate books and mashed them together. Don't get me wrong- the writing and content in and off itself is brilliant, but in the long run, one feels it would do better as two separate books.
December 2, 2016
Inspiring!!
Throughly enjoyed the telling of Peter and Natasha's Camino pilgrimage. What fun it must have been for a father and his daughter to share such a magnificent adventure. I wish the pictures had been placed in the narrative instead of at the end (at least it was this way in the Kindle version), but it was still a very enjoyable read.
Throughly enjoyed the telling of Peter and Natasha's Camino pilgrimage. What fun it must have been for a father and his daughter to share such a magnificent adventure. I wish the pictures had been placed in the narrative instead of at the end (at least it was this way in the Kindle version), but it was still a very enjoyable read.
March 25, 2012
Just finished reading. There is nothing exceptional about it, low key, modest in describing a great journey. Recommended
June 2, 2013
Excellent book and it was a pleasure to recognise some places after being there!!!
February 15, 2015
I enjoy books with co-authors and reading each perspective. This was a nice treat with professional journalist father and 18 year old daughter. I found both styles of writing equally enjoyable.
May 19, 2015
One of my favourite Camino books so far. I like the back and forth, father/daughter journal.
June 20, 2018
Wonderful
Mix of history and the different perspectives of experience and youth. Loved it. So glad I read it. Thank you.
Mix of history and the different perspectives of experience and youth. Loved it. So glad I read it. Thank you.
June 11, 2019
I really enjoyed this account of a father and daughter hiking the Camino. Now I REALLY want to do this...
April 19, 2020
Very endearing! I caught up with father and daughter on Instagram and am happy to know Natasha has gone on to be a journalist and Peter has embarked on a Transamerica journey, however cut short.
March 15, 2021
Nice personal and historical reflection on the El Camino de Santiago. Especially nice that it is co-written by a father/daughter team who walked it together.
June 5, 2021
Did not finish
May 14, 2024
This book wasn’t my favourite Camino journal. It looks at a different perspective, father and daughter. The daughter has just finished her leaving cert exams and awaiting her results and her father wants to share this piece of the world with her, before she flies the nest.
The book seemed to be more about the book and not the Camino. I’ve read some Camino books, where there never was a plan to write a book, that it just happened, and some of them definitely shouldn’t have been written, (Kindle Unlimited) but there was definitely a plan to write this book. They take rest days to catch up on writing, they’re devastated when they’ve lost their camera and essentially all their material/memories.
I think I expected a better quality book from a journalist that writes for the Irish Times. Natasha shows her youth and can be quite naive and childish in parts, especially when she wants to go out, hang out with new friends and it feels like her father is cramping her style and ruining her holiday by making her write about it.
The book seemed to be more about the book and not the Camino. I’ve read some Camino books, where there never was a plan to write a book, that it just happened, and some of them definitely shouldn’t have been written, (Kindle Unlimited) but there was definitely a plan to write this book. They take rest days to catch up on writing, they’re devastated when they’ve lost their camera and essentially all their material/memories.
I think I expected a better quality book from a journalist that writes for the Irish Times. Natasha shows her youth and can be quite naive and childish in parts, especially when she wants to go out, hang out with new friends and it feels like her father is cramping her style and ruining her holiday by making her write about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2023
As someone who has done some of the Camino and us planning on doing more, this book has really whetted my appetite for the next walk in just over a month.
I like the style of alternating between the two authors. Their relationship is strong which is so nice to see. I would love to walk some of the Camino with at least one of my children some day.
A good introductory book to the Camino from a different perspective. Buen Camino!
I like the style of alternating between the two authors. Their relationship is strong which is so nice to see. I would love to walk some of the Camino with at least one of my children some day.
A good introductory book to the Camino from a different perspective. Buen Camino!
May 30, 2023
I persevered a bit longer than I would have usually as I am preparing to walk the Camino but this read like an uninteresting personal diary and I gave up.
November 11, 2013
A good book to read to get the feel of the Camino as a whole. The father/daughter sharing of the story was lovely and added to the experience as a whole. It was quite touching in parts and revealing in others. I liked Peter Murtagh's inputs on the history of the places they walked through. Overall, it gives a very good "feel" of the Camino and was better than I expected.
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October 24, 2024Good Camino read.
August 15, 2012
An easy read and painted a picture for me of what it might be like to walk the camino
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews