Inspired Journeys: Travel Writers in Search of the Muse

by Brian Bouldrey (Editor)

Full of humor, profundity, and obsession, these are tales of writers on peregrine paths. Some set out in search of legends or artistic inspiration; others seek spiritual epiphany or fulfillment of a promise. Their journeys lead them variously to Dracula’s castle, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s prairie, the Grimms’ fairy-tale road, Mayan temples, Nathaniel West’s California, the Camino de Santiago trail, Scott’s Antarctica, the Marquis de Sade’s haunted manor, or the sacred city of Varanasi. All of these pilgrimages are worthy journeys—redemptive and serious. But a time-honored element of pilgrimage is a suspension of rules, and there is absurdity and exuberance here as well.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Essays, Adventure, Memoir

280 pages, Hardcover

Published November 22, 2016

About the author

Brian Bouldrey, is the author of the nonfiction books Honorable Bandit: A Walk Across Corsica (University of Wisconsin Press, September, 2007), Monster: Adventures in American Machismo (Council Oak Books), and T he Autobiography Box (Chronicle Books); three novels, The Genius of Desire (Ballantine), Love, the Magician (Harrington Park), and The Boom Economy (University of Wisconsin Press ; and editor of several anthologies. He is recipient of Fellowships from Yaddo and Eastern Frontier Society, and the Joseph Henry Jackson Award from the San Francisco Foundation, a Lambda Literary Award, and the Western Regional Magazine Award. Teaches fiction and creative nonfiction at Northwestern University and Lesley College MFA Program for Writers.

Reviews

[Vera Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I approach collections of essays with caution. Generally they are such a mixed bag that I merely get annoyed with the bad ones while being grateful to meet a couple of decent writers. Brian Bouldrey, the editor of Inspired Journeys defied my expectations. EVERY essay in this book was excellent. Each very different in tone and subject, despite a loose cohesion of theme. And I am so glad that I read the book.

The loose theme is "pilgrimage" which some writerss take literally and some take figuratively. All are seasoned travelers and writers and I enjoyed every single one. Rather than only introducing me to new places--which it does--this book also introduces me to some deep thoughts about the human condition. Don't worry, it is not drearily philosophical. Some of the entries are funny. Many are touching. All will make you think.

Whether in search of the footsteps of a famous writer, remnants of a long-ago ancestor, or a search for self, these excellent writers will entertain you. Now I'm off to make a list of the works of the contributors to the volume--adding to my TBR pile.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some wonderful stories here ; one even made me wonder about visiting Antarctica as she wrote so descriptively. A real variety and found muses reading them, hoping to get some more writing done myself.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable particularly if you have a close and lengthy relationship with travel.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. In these essays, the writers explore the homes of the writers who inspired them, seek healing and direction in their lives, and ponder why they love to travel so much. We visit the Little House on the Prairie homes, sprinkle a dead father’s ashes in the Ganges River, eat tortillas with Mayan people in Belize, search for a grandfather’s first wife the writer never met, and so much more. These essays not only inspire me to travel but are each works of art and beautiful examples of creative nonfiction. Highly recommended.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this 4 stars because I really disliked one of the pieces in this book. Other than this one story, I loved all the rest and would have given it a higher rating.

[Jo-anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

An eclectic collection of journeys destined to touch your soul. Buen Camino, At the Grave of Sadie Thorpe, The Place Between and The Chevra found mine.