Estrellas: Moments of Illumination Along El Camino de Santiago

by Suzanne Maggio

“Despite evidence to the contrary, I do not think of myself as a particularly courageous soul. I am not content to bask in my accomplishments nor do I spend much time tooting my own horn. I wasn’t raised that way. I was taught to downplay my successes. To steer clear of vanity. I was raised to be humble. So, as I sit down to write this, I hope you’ll forgive me for saying something completely out of character here, but I feel the need to tell you that 779 kilometers is a long way to walk - and I walked every single step… ...As you travel along with me on my journey, I invite you to take the opportunity to explore the spaces around you. Notice the way the sunshine peaks peek through the leaves of the dogwood tree. Listen to the gentle whirr of the wings of the hummingbird. Smell the salt in the sea air. Use your senses. Pay attention to the things that we are often too busy to see. To hear. To smell. Let them take you inward. See where the path leads you. Buen Camino .”
Suzanne Maggio is an award winning author of The Cardinal Club - A Daughter’s Journey to Acceptance . A licensed clinical social worker, Maggio has helped hundreds of families improve their relationships by encouraging them to open their hearts and share their stories. She now trains the new generation of helpers as a university lecturer in Psychology, Counseling and Social Work. Her debut memoir, The Cardinal Club - A Daughter’s Journey to Acceptance is published by Adelaide Books, New York and was a finalist in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the 2020 Independent Book Awards. In 2016 she earned a silver award from Travelers Tales for “Yo Soy,” a story about the search for identity while traveling in Nicaragua. Maggio is the granddaughter of Italian immigrants, a passionate cook, frequent traveler and avid baseball fan. She lives in Northern California with her husband, where they raised their two sons and where they now manage two rambunctious dogs and a brood of demanding chickens.

Genres: Nonfiction

216 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2021

About the author

I am a social worker, teacher and writer.
I'm the granddaughter of Italian immigrants, which means I'm passionate.... about almost everything.
I grew up in New Jersey eating sweet corn, going ‘down the shore’ and listening to Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny.
I learned to drive a stick shift as a freshman at Boston College.
After graduation, I ran away from home (sort of) and landed in California.
That's where I got married and raised two amazing young men. several guinea pigs, rabbits, fish, chickens and a handful of dogs.
I love sports, especially baseball, which is a lot like life.
And I always root for the underdog.

You can find me at https://www.suzannemaggio.com where I blog weekly and have a monthly newsletter that you can sign up for. (And I hope you will.)

Reviews

[Smitha Murthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading ‘Estrellas’ made me want to throw this yoke of Covid-19 imprisonment and walk the world again. It made me also want to reach out and give Suzanne a hug.

I met Suzanne on Day 1 of my 1-month, 800-km journey across France and Spain. I had just woken up at an Albergue (pilgrim hostel) to find that my bag with my passport and all my money was missing. I stood there, lost, shivering, and feeling oddly ignored as the white-only hostel was more concerned that someone had lost their shoes.

That day I lost 800 Euros. I was a non-salaried entrepreneur - and 800 becomes huge when you add two zeros to it in Indian money. I walked the rest of the month conscious of that loss. I chose to walk alone most of the time. One, because I wanted that solitude. And two, I was aware of my brown skin stretching thin in that sea of white. I had experienced how color affects our experience through my stay in China and the US, and I could feel it in every step here.

I didn’t make the external connections that Suzanne did, as a result.

I didn’t have the same experiences that she did. “Food was plentiful,” she writes. I smiled. What could a vegan get on the trail? Fries. That’s it. I felt physically weak, broken by the cold, and couldn’t wait for the day to end each time.

But this is not about me. It’s about my Buddha-ful friend I made who gifted me memories through this book. Suzanne and I bumped into each other a few times on the trail. We searched for skulls. (Read the book to know why) After reading this, I realized just how similar we are. How much compassion Suzanne exudes - someone I should learn from.

Suzanne writes with rare honesty, candor, and authenticity. This is not some mere feel-good memoir, although you will feel good at the end of it. But it’s a tense journey through Suzanne’s mental landscapes that also give you some insights of your own.

I felt the Camino’s magic not while walking but months and years after I finished the walk. In the odd ode to beauty it gave me. In how it still nourished connections even when I didn’t seek them. In how you can read a book, and suddenly, you feel like that story of loss is changed into hope.

Suzanne, you beauty, you gave me that hope. That reflection I needed. That voice I lacked to put my Camino into words.

For everyone else, if you ever thought of what a walk can do, read this. And for anyone seeking a bit of light.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this bright and wonder-ful memoir, author Suzanne Maggio shares her experiences of connection with her fellow travelers and seekers on the Camino de Santiago. Having walked a section of the Camino myself, I am able to relate to much of what she shares in her reflections. However, her unique processing of the illumination of her experience is unique and special. It is true that those who seek to walk “The Camino” do so for many diverse reasons and expectations. It seems that what I have read and shared suggests there is most often a reason, or an intention for the journey. I find Suzanne’s focus to be heartening and affirming of the possibility of relationship with diverse and enriching individuals from all places and situations. She is---and we as readers-- are seduced into loving the characters she meets during her journey and I found myself wanting to know them better, see their photos….know their stories. This—if nothing else—and there is everything else—blesses the intention of the journey of the Camino de Santiago for each reader and walker. I found myself so inspired by her own experience -- planning my next Camino so as to take it deeper and otherwise……This is a beautiful read for those considering the pilgrimage and everyone else. It is a joy to read her personal stories, the precious individuals she meets and takes into her heart, and her reflection on human connection and the light and love that can come from an open heart and welcoming arms. There is bright light and seeing with new eyes on every page. Bravo!

[Anne Mohan Magaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Estrellas is inspiring, thoughtful, insightful. You walk alongside Suzanne Maggio as she traverses the historic pilgrim route, the Camino de Santiago. You feel her sore feet and tired body and enjoy the her satisfaction in sharing a meal at the end of the day. Readers get to meet her fellow travelers and enjoy spending time with them along the walk. I highly recommend Estrellas to all. It is a wonderful book and would make an excellent holiday gift to friends and family.

[Lee Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of the author’s trek on The Camino and the ups and downs of that journey , both physical and emotional. Suzanne let’s us into her in her journey as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this easy read.

[Maura Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly engaging memoir about a journey both arduous physically and deep internally. The dual nature of the author's travels combine for an appealing look at a specific trip and also the way that someone can open up to self-knowledge through a new experience. Her description of the changing landscape and fellow trekkers reveal a warm-hearted outlook that leaves the reader glad to have met Suzanne along the way.

[Victoria Nunes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me ha gustado mucho.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

People who have walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain sometimes have difficulties explaining what it’s all about to those who have not had the experience. Is it a long hike, like the Appalachian Trail? Is it a religious pilgrimage? Is it a spiritual experience or a way to “find yourself’? Is it an opportunity to learn about the culture, the history, or the cuisine of northern Spain?

In her memoir, Estrellas – Moments of Illumination Along El Camino de Santiago, Suzanne Maggio takes us along as she experiences all of the above aspects in her month-long trek. More than that, though, she shows us how her expectations met the realities of the trail and how she was deeply moved and changed by the experience. She tells us how quickly friendships are formed on the Camino and paints vivid word paintings of the individuals she meets and how the kindness and feeling of community along the way helped to answer some spiritual questions that she probably didn’t know that she had until she started walking.

Is walking the Camino de Santiago for everybody? Probably not, but if you think you might be interested or if you have made the journey and are still processing it, this thought-provoking book is a must-read.

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir really touched me. Suzanne Maggio writes with such humility and openness that it feels like you're walking each of those 779 kilometres right beside her. What I loved most was how she focuses on the small, often overlooked details, the light, the wind, the smell of the sea, and how those moments become part of the inner journey just as much as the physical one. It doesn't feel like she's trying to impress you; instead, she's simply inviting you to slow down, pay attention, and listen to your own heart. Beautiful, reflective, and quietly powerful. A lovely read for anyone drawn to the Camino, healing, or personal discovery.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had me wanting to relive the memories of the Camino and see how it has evolved over the years.

I just could not connect with the author’s experience. She came across as desperately needing other people’s attention - especially men and then acting really immature when then blew her off. By the 5th guy the story was really feeling awkward. Between that and her diary entries that turned into this novel it was a huge disappointment. I think her experience was memorable for herself just not anything the general public needed to know about.

[Micaela K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Algo superficial pero interesante a fin de cuentas.

[Rhonda Lomazow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read Suzanne’s writing made me feel like she was a friend sharing her adventure.I related immediately to her having to force herself to enter a restaurant alone.Her outgoing personality has her meeting and introducing us to so many people she befriends along the way.I admire her strength,fortitude in taking this walk and glad Igot to accompany her from my couch.Will be recommending good for bookclub discussions.