The Path

by Malcolm McKay

The Path is the story of a group of international travellers who walk the Camino de Santiago, the ancient 800-kilometre pilgrimage from the Pyrenees to the remains of the Apostle Saint James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostella in Northern Spain. The group are of all ages, all professions, all religious denominations (and none).

They include a British ex-army captain, a beautiful Danish businesswoman, a manic Austrian architect, a Welsh painter, a driven American priest and a comic mother and daughter duo from Canada. The 35-day walk is tough and demanding. They relate intellectually, spiritually and sexually as they search for their own deep and personal truths, which are not always what they expect - or want - to find.

The climax is a terrible and shocking death which changes their views of themselves forever as they arrive in the holy city.

Audible Audio

First published September 4, 2011

Reviews

[Onedia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Lots of books about the Camino, but few novels. I read because I plan to walk the Camino within the next 18 months.

The book needs better proofreading.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Self Development
I decided to read this book because I have been reading books on the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, even a book on a guy that hiked a pipeline, and other similar books. Thought this book would give me insight on hiking the Camino de Santiago. Well, I appreciated some of the historical stuff. Most of the book was about the relationships of those hiking the trail. Sort of like watching The Big Bang Theory or Seinfeld without the humor. Almost stopped reading the book a few times and decided to tough it out...not really sure why. However, for those who wants to read about the human condition without a particular direction...oh gee, I guess that is what life is...then this will be a good read. Unless bad language is a problem.

[Kitty CK · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, except the ending.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good book, but I really didn't like the ending.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rating. I never was really drawn into the story. Too little about hiking the Camino for me. Too many characters that I didn’t care about enough.

[Jane Blanchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Path by Malcolm McKay is a fictional story about the daily interactions of modern-day pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage from St.-Jean-Pied-du-Port, France to the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The Camino is a metaphor for the spiritual and intellectual journey undertaken by this group of pilgrims. These Camino trekkers come to find their path in life; unlike the actual walkers who have a destination, a recognizable final point, these wanderers do not necessarily find their way--they come to the Camino lost and leave it without solution.

Mr. McKay's gasp of human nature is evident in the development of his complex characters. You will love or hate them; you will cry and laugh with them, you will be surprised with the plot twists, and you will find it hard to put the book down.

The only detractor is the book's lack of editing. If you can overlook these as you read, you will enjoy this book.