In this uproariously hilarious and brutally honest depiction of what modern pilgrims experience on the Camino de Santiago, Will Butler treks through 500 miles of the harsh winter in northern Spain to the fabled Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, he befriends a foul-mouthed Venetian Glassmaker, a love sick organ player, and briefly marries a stunningly attractive surfer from South Korea. Filled with a kaleidoscopic assortment of colorful pilgrims and Spanish locals, A Pilgrim in Winter is the perfect read for those pilgrims who have walked The Way of St. James, and for the hundreds of thousands more who wish to attempt it.
A good story ruined by the authors act of obnoxious behaviour in a supermarket
So that’s a strange review title as the story of Will’s Camino and the characters he met was really good. However the author details an incident late on in his walk when he tried to buy some bubble bath at a Spanish supermarket and he went ballistic when he couldn’t find it. He was loud, obnoxious and threatening to the point the manager was calling the police. His walking buddy had to drag him out and what made it worse was that he thought it funny and ‘it would make a good story’. Well it didn’t Will, it’s an appalling story of your arrogance as a well off American denigrating local people. What will those Spanish people think of the next American or English speaker I wonder. He didn’t think of going back the next morning to apologise but his mate went and the staff were relieved that Will wasn’t coming back. I really enjoyed the book up until that point but it was ruined by the authors tale. Move on don’t read is the best advice I can give!
First one I've read that takes place in winter, The digital version has typos and differences in color of the type in places. The book seems to long with authors musings and descriptions of drinking, bars and smoking All of the Camino books are different with individual opinions, lifestyles and personal struggles. This is a good book , has humor and great descriptions of friendships made, the struggle making another mile. How it changes perspective on a lot of cut in stone ideas of friendship and life.
A good well written book that was easy to read, it lacked a bit in humour and touched on personal political views like so many books do these days. He as done another long walk on the Camino since and I hope he as learnt from his mistakes ! You need rest days and you do not wear jeans, there heavy and absorb water like a sponge. I hope he does another book soon.
This is a very interesting book for a 68 yr old girl to read. Funny I had many good laughs. I read some for my husband too. He enjoyed the adventures a lot. This is my first winter Camino book. Lots and lots of courage these pelgrims have. Good luck to you Will. Many many miles more.
Having walked short stages of different caminos I was intrigued to hear what a winter walk would be like... Certainly didn't dissapoint, sounds like you had a blast and met some amazing characters along the way, Buen Camino! 👍