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The Path You Make: A woman's search for purpose walking the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome
"We don’t always make our best decisions when we are panicked. I was desperate, and as I couldn’t answer the question for myself about what I wanted to do, I hoped someone else would answer it for me. The thing was that I didn’t want anyone else to tell me what I was good at; I wanted to know what my heart wanted to do. What could I do that would bring me alive every day, using my gifts and abilities to make a real difference in the world?"Unhappy in her job and uncertain of her purpose, Australian woman Kym Wilson makes an unexpected decision to leave behind her life in Melbourne and walk the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrim route that leads from Canterbury in England to St Peter’s Square in Rome. Over the 2000-kilometre journey, Kym confronts difficult terrain, exhaustion and pain, fierce weather, snarling dogs, and mud that clumps and clings to her boots. Despite these challenges, she remains true to her quest to understand what her heart truly desires. Kym’s story reminds us that the paths we take may lead us to places we never imagined and that the answers we seek are deep within us, if only we can learn how to find them.
374 pages, Paperback
Published November 30, 2019
21 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 19, 2019
Beautiful book about listening to your soul's calling and the healing magic that can take place when we (ad)venture forth into the unknown. A courageous journey about trusting the soul's guidance and timing. Thank you for the inspiration Kym Wilson. Loved reading your book and also following your blog posts. Keep walking the path and leading the way ✨✨
November 23, 2019
It´s a great read about a woman´s solo pilgrimage on the Via Francigena . You can really "feel" the author hiking 2000km from Canterbury to Rome, with all the physical and emotional challenges. If you enjoyed reading "Wild", you will like this as well!
November 23, 2019
Reading this story allowed me to feel part of the journey with Kym, following in her footsteps like I was there with her. Such a beautiful read, riding the emotional waves, feeling part of this amazing adventure. Thank you for sharing this with the world.
November 11, 2020
Excellent read. Kym shares her experiences on the Francigena in a way that makes you feel like you are there. This book is about her personal struggles and triumphs along her journey to successfully reach her goal and to learn more about who she is and what she can accomplish.
Unlike the book Wild, this book is NOT a calling for people with emotional issues to act irresponsibly and with no planning to set out on a long distance hike. In my opinion, Wild has done more harm than good for the PCT and the communities it passes through.
The Path You Make, on the other hand, leaves me with a feeling of gratitude and inspired to continue finding and experiencing my own journey.
The best part is that for Kym, the book doesn’t end.... as she continues to pay forward through her continued work and ongoing connections with her readers. She not only reaches her goal but does it with integrity in a way that is inspiring and a credit to herself and the people along the Via Francigena.
Unlike the book Wild, this book is NOT a calling for people with emotional issues to act irresponsibly and with no planning to set out on a long distance hike. In my opinion, Wild has done more harm than good for the PCT and the communities it passes through.
The Path You Make, on the other hand, leaves me with a feeling of gratitude and inspired to continue finding and experiencing my own journey.
The best part is that for Kym, the book doesn’t end.... as she continues to pay forward through her continued work and ongoing connections with her readers. She not only reaches her goal but does it with integrity in a way that is inspiring and a credit to herself and the people along the Via Francigena.
August 15, 2020
Great read. Very honest account. Makes me want to do the trail after NZ.
November 22, 2019
The Path You Make
My wife and I also walked the Italian section of the Via Francigena. We followed by a week or so, the same route that Kym describes. Every evening we would check for updates to her blog and any other blog, that would guide us in the choices we had to make; where to stay, where to eat, what route choices to take, and what conditions to anticipate so late in the year. There were several blogs that helped us, but it was only Kym's that went deeper than the practicalities, and touched on why this very difficult journey was being undertaken, alone and unbroken. I was moved by the sincerity of her experience and clarity of her writing.
When offered the opportunity to review the book that she wrote, I jumped at it. It is an amazing adventure over a lengthy and exhausting route and it offered me an opportunity to again live through the wonderful and rewarding experience we shared. It also allowed me to enjoy again her crisp and efficient prose. The Path You Make records a very personal journey along the length of an ancient pilgrims' route to Rome. But it is much more than that. While there are almost as many motivations for modern pilgrimage as there are pilgrims walking to Santiago or Rome; Kym's journey provides a resolution for a difficult childhood, and guidance for a full and meaningful life. It takes the reader through the misery and the joy, the solitude and the warmth of companionship, and captures the beauty and the difficult challenges this pilgrimage provides to those that choose to walk this route.
There are many books written by pilgrims to Santiago including those of Paulo Coelho, and Shirley MacLean. This book deserves a place on the same shelf as these more famous authors. With a much more difficult journey as the backdrop, the lessons and learning pilgrimage can provide are available to those that read this book. It is a very satisfying read.
My wife and I also walked the Italian section of the Via Francigena. We followed by a week or so, the same route that Kym describes. Every evening we would check for updates to her blog and any other blog, that would guide us in the choices we had to make; where to stay, where to eat, what route choices to take, and what conditions to anticipate so late in the year. There were several blogs that helped us, but it was only Kym's that went deeper than the practicalities, and touched on why this very difficult journey was being undertaken, alone and unbroken. I was moved by the sincerity of her experience and clarity of her writing.
When offered the opportunity to review the book that she wrote, I jumped at it. It is an amazing adventure over a lengthy and exhausting route and it offered me an opportunity to again live through the wonderful and rewarding experience we shared. It also allowed me to enjoy again her crisp and efficient prose. The Path You Make records a very personal journey along the length of an ancient pilgrims' route to Rome. But it is much more than that. While there are almost as many motivations for modern pilgrimage as there are pilgrims walking to Santiago or Rome; Kym's journey provides a resolution for a difficult childhood, and guidance for a full and meaningful life. It takes the reader through the misery and the joy, the solitude and the warmth of companionship, and captures the beauty and the difficult challenges this pilgrimage provides to those that choose to walk this route.
There are many books written by pilgrims to Santiago including those of Paulo Coelho, and Shirley MacLean. This book deserves a place on the same shelf as these more famous authors. With a much more difficult journey as the backdrop, the lessons and learning pilgrimage can provide are available to those that read this book. It is a very satisfying read.
November 20, 2019
In Kim Wilson’s memoir, she writes on her search for purpose whilst walking the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome. Embarking on a journey of self-discovery with unexpected results.
“I had walked for twenty minutes the wrong way out of town. I shook my head and laughed. It could have been worse. I could have walked for another forty minutes or an hour. The mistake cost me three kilometres, but that was better than any more. As I marched back towards town, I stepped off the road to look at a concrete statue of Mary. She wore a draping gown and had a halo of stars above her head. A weeping willow dotted with lemon leaves bowed behind her. Mary’s eyes were closed and she smiled as if she were experiencing a serene and beautiful moment of pure love. In that moment, I had that experience too. Tears burned the back of my eyes. I understood then that there was no wrong way to walk on this pilgrim trail, just as there is no wrong way to walk in life, except to be asleep with eyes closed to the beauty around us and within us, thinking that we’re meant to be somewhere other than exactly where we are.”
- The Path You Make - by Kim Wilson
Kim writes from her heart, sharing her own humanness, strength and vulnerability. A memoir of a physical and emotional journey on an ancient pilgrim trail, spanning 2000 kilometres, that started in Canterbury in England and ended at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican City in Italy. A journey that ultimately leads her directly down the path of her heart’s calling.
A must read for pilgrims and anyone on the path of healing, as it will certainly inspire and encourage your journey.
“I had walked for twenty minutes the wrong way out of town. I shook my head and laughed. It could have been worse. I could have walked for another forty minutes or an hour. The mistake cost me three kilometres, but that was better than any more. As I marched back towards town, I stepped off the road to look at a concrete statue of Mary. She wore a draping gown and had a halo of stars above her head. A weeping willow dotted with lemon leaves bowed behind her. Mary’s eyes were closed and she smiled as if she were experiencing a serene and beautiful moment of pure love. In that moment, I had that experience too. Tears burned the back of my eyes. I understood then that there was no wrong way to walk on this pilgrim trail, just as there is no wrong way to walk in life, except to be asleep with eyes closed to the beauty around us and within us, thinking that we’re meant to be somewhere other than exactly where we are.”
- The Path You Make - by Kim Wilson
Kim writes from her heart, sharing her own humanness, strength and vulnerability. A memoir of a physical and emotional journey on an ancient pilgrim trail, spanning 2000 kilometres, that started in Canterbury in England and ended at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican City in Italy. A journey that ultimately leads her directly down the path of her heart’s calling.
A must read for pilgrims and anyone on the path of healing, as it will certainly inspire and encourage your journey.
November 22, 2019
What an adventure I experienced reading this true tale about a very long walk by a courageous soul.
At over 2,000 kms, the Francigina is a pilgrim walk through four countries and Kym tells of each day’s trails... along narrow cliff edges, climbing through trees blocking the path, through streams and along busy highways as well as through wonderous countryside. Through all types of weather, Kym battles with ailments bound to occur walking 20, 30 and even 40 kilometres day after day.
Gradually discovering what she wants from life, Kim takes us back to her childhood to discover some of the things holding her back.
It took me back 2 years ago walking not quite 1000km on the Camino del Norte across Spain.
Savour each word and experience of Kym’s on this journey, as it is just as described, a massive, creative, self-awakening that promises that life will not be as we know it but as we should live it.
At over 2,000 kms, the Francigina is a pilgrim walk through four countries and Kym tells of each day’s trails... along narrow cliff edges, climbing through trees blocking the path, through streams and along busy highways as well as through wonderous countryside. Through all types of weather, Kym battles with ailments bound to occur walking 20, 30 and even 40 kilometres day after day.
Gradually discovering what she wants from life, Kim takes us back to her childhood to discover some of the things holding her back.
It took me back 2 years ago walking not quite 1000km on the Camino del Norte across Spain.
Savour each word and experience of Kym’s on this journey, as it is just as described, a massive, creative, self-awakening that promises that life will not be as we know it but as we should live it.
November 23, 2019
I so enjoyed reading Kym's story because of several themes which resonated with my own experiences; including scuba diving and long distance challenges. So strong were the connections that once started I could not put the book down and I completed it in two sittings.
I have not travelled alone but I did cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats and trekked the Annapurna Circuit with one other person. The latter was a massive mental and physical challenge and I have huge respect for Kym's mental strength in completing her challenge and dealing with adversity as a single person without any back up.
The story is well written, it draws you in and it is impossible not to be moved by the emotion of the successful completion.
I have not travelled alone but I did cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats and trekked the Annapurna Circuit with one other person. The latter was a massive mental and physical challenge and I have huge respect for Kym's mental strength in completing her challenge and dealing with adversity as a single person without any back up.
The story is well written, it draws you in and it is impossible not to be moved by the emotion of the successful completion.
December 15, 2019
I have never been to Europe, but this book took me there. The towns, the smallest villages, the terrain, including rivers and mountains The beauty of the countryside, skies, old castles and convents. The variable weather and the difficulty and pain of walking, but pushing on continuously to meet the goal. Yet most of all it reveals the heart of the walker, clarifying her goals in life. It also challenges us to re-think our lives and search for the Path we should make.
November 26, 2019
An amazing true story of courage and determination, written so well for all the physical senses and emotional states of being. I could feel each step and see the colours and beauty all around. Kym's descriptions of emotional pain, love, strength and vulnerability touched my heart.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews