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The Samaritans Listening Walk: Walking 6,000 miles for charity
361 pages, Paperback
Published November 9, 2025
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2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 22, 2026
The Samaritans Listening Walk by David Matthews
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉This book is the kind of book that quietly settles into your thoughts and lingers there long after you’ve finished reading. At first glance, it may seem like a straightforward account of an ambitious journey 6,000 miles across the UK and Ireland but it quickly becomes clear that the physical distance is only one layer of a much deeper story. Matthews writes with a natural, unpolished honesty that makes his experience feel immediate and real, as though you’re walking alongside him rather than simply reading about it.
👉What truly defines this book is its emotional core. Along his journey, Matthews meets countless individuals who open up about deeply personal struggles grief, loneliness, mental health challenges, and moments of quiet resilience. These stories are shared with remarkable sensitivity, never feeling exploitative or overly dramatized. Instead, they form a mosaic of human experience that gives the book its weight and purpose. It becomes less about one man’s journey and more about the collective voices he carries with him.
👉The physical challenges Matthews faces are equally compelling, but they never overshadow the human aspect of the narrative. From harsh weather conditions to the exhaustion of pulling a 30 kg trailer day after day, his journey is filled with moments where giving up would have been understandable. Yet, what keeps him moving forward isn’t just determination it’s the kindness of strangers. Time and again, small gestures of generosity remind him (and the reader) of the goodness that exists in everyday people.
👉Another striking quality of the book is its tone. There’s a gentle balance between seriousness and lightness, with moments of humor and self-awareness that prevent the narrative from becoming too heavy. Matthews doesn’t position himself as extraordinary; instead, he openly acknowledges his doubts and limitations. This humility makes the story more relatable and allows the reader to connect with him on a personal level, rather than viewing him from a distance.
Happy reading 😊
#bookreview
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉This book is the kind of book that quietly settles into your thoughts and lingers there long after you’ve finished reading. At first glance, it may seem like a straightforward account of an ambitious journey 6,000 miles across the UK and Ireland but it quickly becomes clear that the physical distance is only one layer of a much deeper story. Matthews writes with a natural, unpolished honesty that makes his experience feel immediate and real, as though you’re walking alongside him rather than simply reading about it.
👉What truly defines this book is its emotional core. Along his journey, Matthews meets countless individuals who open up about deeply personal struggles grief, loneliness, mental health challenges, and moments of quiet resilience. These stories are shared with remarkable sensitivity, never feeling exploitative or overly dramatized. Instead, they form a mosaic of human experience that gives the book its weight and purpose. It becomes less about one man’s journey and more about the collective voices he carries with him.
👉The physical challenges Matthews faces are equally compelling, but they never overshadow the human aspect of the narrative. From harsh weather conditions to the exhaustion of pulling a 30 kg trailer day after day, his journey is filled with moments where giving up would have been understandable. Yet, what keeps him moving forward isn’t just determination it’s the kindness of strangers. Time and again, small gestures of generosity remind him (and the reader) of the goodness that exists in everyday people.
👉Another striking quality of the book is its tone. There’s a gentle balance between seriousness and lightness, with moments of humor and self-awareness that prevent the narrative from becoming too heavy. Matthews doesn’t position himself as extraordinary; instead, he openly acknowledges his doubts and limitations. This humility makes the story more relatable and allows the reader to connect with him on a personal level, rather than viewing him from a distance.
Happy reading 😊
#bookreview
Displaying 1 of 1 review