The Path to Rome

by Hilaire Belloc

published

2006 by Hard Press

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binding

Paperback, 177 pages

isbn

140693867X (isbn13: 9781406938678)

description

Belloc describes his pilgrimage on foot from France to Rome providing a portrait of western Europe before the World Wars.

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Clare rated it:

10/05/08

Read in October, 2008

I've heard so many wonderful things about this book over the years, but I must say that I wasn't expecting what I got. Somehow or other I had received the impression that the book had an apologetics sort of focus. I was aware of quite a few converts who had been initially inspired to look into the Catholic Church by this book, and I foolishly assumed that the book therefore must present some sort of argument.

It doesn't. Not exactly. Belloc's argument for the Faith here is not a carefully tho...more I've heard so many wonderful things about this book over the years, but I must say that I wasn't expecting what I got. Somehow or other I had received the impression that the book had an apologetics sort of focus. I was aware of quite a few converts who had been initially inspired to look into the Catholic Church by this book, and I foolishly assumed that the book therefore must present some sort of argument.

It doesn't. Not exactly. Belloc's argument for the Faith here is not a carefully thought out and balanced essay on the whys and wherefores. It's a presentation of the Faith alive throughout Europe, in the inhabitants and the atmosphere. It's a picture of why the Church is called Catholic.

This is an extraordinarily delightful book. Belloc's descriptions of his pilgrimage to Rome are beautiful. The dialogue between Auctor and Lector are hysterical. His accounts of the events of the day, and his memories of past events in his life, are interesting and more often than not very amusing. His digressions, in particular the few paragraphs on the danger of shifty-eyed people, are entertaining. The little stories he tells when he has nothing better to say are wonderful. His description of the Alps is profoundly breathtaking.

It was sheer coincidence that I read this book as I made a little journey of my own. It wasn't nearly as momentous as Belloc's; my destination wasn't so holy as Rome, and I traveled by car rather than on foot. But I noticed more than ever the rosaries of my fellow Catholics hung on the rear-view mirrors, and the feeling of home when we passed a Catholic Church was deeper than before. I felt more keenly that tingling atmosphere so prevalent in Belloc's book. I had a strong kinship with those many people whose names I did not know and never will know. All those Catholic churches along the way were home to me, no matter where I was: there Christ was, really and truly present.

Belloc has done something truly wonderful with this book. It's not like his other works. It's rather haphazard and random, a weird combination of near-death experiences, light-hearted stories, and delightful songs. But it has an atmosphere unique. The book is amazingly moving I think because of rather than in spite of its simplicity. I think Belloc himself most accurately described why this book is different from his others, why it has something more even when there might seem less. It was the only book he ever wrote for love....less

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Debra rated it:

(review of isbn 0140095306)

05/02/08

Published in 1902. Belloc, like Patrick Leigh Fermor and a few other daring souls, decided to walk across Europe and his journey to Rome over the Alps is amazing. His account of hiking up a misty mountain near Interlaken and, when the clouds parted, realized that the path had ended and he was on a precipice just about to step out over a drop of thousands of feet into the lake below, is stunning. He vividly describes the mountains, vistas and his fellow travelers make this one of my favorite ...more

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