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The Way, My Way
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In the vein of Bill Bryson's and Eric Newby's travel memoirs, The Way, My Way takes you on a unique journey along the Camino de Santiago - a book that's both deeply moving and laugh-out-loud funny.
“I’d never done anything crazy like this before – a pilgrimage walk. I was not a hiker and I wasn’t a Catholic. In fact, I wasn’t even sure I was a Christian. On the last governm ...more
“I’d never done anything crazy like this before – a pilgrimage walk. I was not a hiker and I wasn’t a Catholic. In fact, I wasn’t even sure I was a Christian. On the last governm ...more
Kindle Edition, First, 222 pages
Published
September 19th 2013
by Kindle Direct Publishing
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This could have been a long walk anywhere at all. The author might as well have stayed in Australia.
Quick easy read - written by an almost 60 year old Australian who opts to do the legendary Camino. Entertaining account of author's walk - Epilogue summarizes what Bill learned. I liked these conclusions directly quoted from Bennett's epilogue:
The Power of Increments
I learned I could achieve big goals by taking small steps. A lot of small steps. But only if I didn't give up until I reached my goal.
My Possessions are my burden:
I carried everything I needed on my back. Up and down mountains, acros ...more
The Power of Increments
I learned I could achieve big goals by taking small steps. A lot of small steps. But only if I didn't give up until I reached my goal.
My Possessions are my burden:
I carried everything I needed on my back. Up and down mountains, acros ...more
I've been reading Camino memoirs like mad and this is one of my two favorites to date. The Aussie film director reports on his journey in a way that is both humorous and inspiring. When I do the Camino, I hope I meet someone like Bill on my journey.
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An Opinel Knife and your PGS and away you go, one step at a time.
Witty sarcasm oozes through this book. I belly laughed and then read excerpts to my spouse as we drove along. I have no interest in walking the Camino but several friends recently have made the pilgrimage, Spanish was my major and I have been to Spain twice so I thought it would be an interesting read. Immediately, I identified with the author as I will never go camping again in my life unless there is room service and a king size bed. The author had similar tastes as he was used to five star ho
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Hilarious account of this man's trek along the Camino. I laughed and cried. His accounts were so vivid, I can't decide now if I still want to do the pilgrimage blisters and all, or stay safely in Santiago while I wait for my husband to complete it without me. Thanks for the entertaining and honest book, Mr. Bennett!
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I loved this book. author Bill Bennett is a funny, charismatic and a likeable guy. Easy to follow and well written.
I was beginning to notice that some pilgrims on the Camino seemed to be fixated with getting to the next village or town, or completing the day’s stage, to the exclusion of everything else. They didn’t indulge in small talk, they didn’t stop in the villages, they certainly didn’t go into any of the churches or check out the monuments. They walked. They walked fast, refusing to be d ...more
I was beginning to notice that some pilgrims on the Camino seemed to be fixated with getting to the next village or town, or completing the day’s stage, to the exclusion of everything else. They didn’t indulge in small talk, they didn’t stop in the villages, they certainly didn’t go into any of the churches or check out the monuments. They walked. They walked fast, refusing to be d ...more
I finished Bill Bennett's memoir of walking El Camino and I loved it, from start to finish. When I closed the book after reading the Epilogue, I hugged the book to my chest. What a journey! 'The Way, My Way' describes the adventure of discovery that this pilgrimage has in store for the body, mind and soul in such wonderful detail, I did feel I was there. Bill's learnings at the end of the book were insightful and a reminder to us all that there is a lot of wonder to behold, both externally and i
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Bennett’s book was on my wish list and was gifted to me by my daughter for my birthday. I read it in 3 days, each time I put it down, excited to come back to it as quickly as possible.
Bennett provides such great nuggets in this book that I found myself sharing passages on social media and even reading sections to my yoga students. Such as « What just happened today? I walked without fear. »
As someone who is a Camino section pilgrim, I look forward to my next « leg, » in part thanks to Bennett. ...more
Bennett provides such great nuggets in this book that I found myself sharing passages on social media and even reading sections to my yoga students. Such as « What just happened today? I walked without fear. »
As someone who is a Camino section pilgrim, I look forward to my next « leg, » in part thanks to Bennett. ...more
What I was looking for
I have been interested in doing the Camino for some months, done my YouTube research and article reading, and looking for books. I started a few including this one, and ultimately came back to this one after reading Coelho's The Pilgrimage. Bill Bennet's tale, despite his familiar ockerisms (I'm Australian too), was what I was looking for - the spirituality, the physicality, the friends, his wife, the food and alcohol, the monasteries and towns, the landscapes. Maybe becaus ...more
I have been interested in doing the Camino for some months, done my YouTube research and article reading, and looking for books. I started a few including this one, and ultimately came back to this one after reading Coelho's The Pilgrimage. Bill Bennet's tale, despite his familiar ockerisms (I'm Australian too), was what I was looking for - the spirituality, the physicality, the friends, his wife, the food and alcohol, the monasteries and towns, the landscapes. Maybe becaus ...more
I must say this is one of the best books about the actual journey and what it's like to walk the Camino. This is not a guide or a history book which I found appealing, It's about the people you meet and friendships you form.
It was also nice to meet Bill in person at Blackheath, supporters of the Camino. ...more
It was also nice to meet Bill in person at Blackheath, supporters of the Camino. ...more
Enjoyed reading the author's take on walking the Camino. Walking his way meant Bennett wanted to walk under his own terms, not for spiritual, social, or physical reasons. Anyone who has walked the Camino or read books about it knows it can be a humbling experience and the Camino gives you what you need just when you need it. I think Bennett discovered that,,, on his own terms.
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Great read! I loved this book from the first page to the last, and I was sorry it wasn’t longer. The first few paragraphs made me laugh out loud. The gentle self-deprecating humour is delightful. As the author travels further into his journey the writing becomes deeper, but still documenting the funny moments. The best thing about this book (for me) is that it has built my confidence in tackling ‘The Way’. Great read!!!
Received this book for Christmas, as one who has on a few occasions walked the Camino de Santiago, I can say that Bill Bennett captures its essence perfectly. This book is interesting, funny and instructive all in one, I would recommend {and have} to friends, and to anyone else whether they have walked the Camino or not, great read 😁🤣👍
I think each pilgrim does the Caminio in his/her own way....
A bit silly and flippant in the beginning, but quickly gave way to self-examination and some eternal questions......moving in spots and at the end.
A bit silly and flippant in the beginning, but quickly gave way to self-examination and some eternal questions......moving in spots and at the end.
I’ve read so many Camino books it’s ridiculous. A friend from my Camino told me I had to read it anyway. Two years ago she told me. I read it a year after my second Camino was unceremoniously canceled due to a worldwide pandemic. She was right. It’s just that good.
A kind of Bill Bryson-ish memoir of walking the Camino de Santiago. I enjoyed his sense of humor very much.
This book was a delicious little masterpiece. We have done similar (but much shorter) treks in France, so there was much here I could relate to. Bravo!
Bill Bryson has a rival! Hilarious book about walking The Camino. Absolutely loved it!
I really enjoyed this book about a man's search for meaning during his pilgrimage. It is satirical and funny but also moving.
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I loved this book! A great description of the Camino Frances and a hilarious insight into not only the physical aspects of Bill’s pilgrimage but also the spiritual and personal.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
This is one of those books that I keep buying and giving away. This book solidified my dream to walk the Camino and start planning. Bill's book is fantastic, honest and full of humor and insight.
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Great read.
The way my way is a great read and I enjoyed hearing Bills take on his journey on the Camino
The way my way is a great read and I enjoyed hearing Bills take on his journey on the Camino
An Australian-based film director, Bill Bennett set off on the 500-mile pilgrimage, completely unsure why he was walking. He wasn’t a hiker and he wasn’t Catholic; he could hardly call this adventure a “pilgrimage,” at least in the beginning. Not only was he emotionally uncomfortable, but physically uncomfortable—especially after his knee developed serious problems. After that, he was waging a battle with pain management—being somewhat comfortable while anticipating an early death as a result o
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In 2013 I took the 2 weeks I had available and walked the Camino de Santiago from St John Pied de Port to Burgos. I am planning to finish my Camino starting in Burgos as soon as possible.
I enjoyed this personal reflection of making the pilgrimage more than many other Camino books, for it's realistic telling of Bill's Camino. Many of his thoughts, fears and experiences mirrored my Camino. Bill wrote of a day where he felt he couldn't walk much further and he was low in energy. Two young women fr ...more
I enjoyed this personal reflection of making the pilgrimage more than many other Camino books, for it's realistic telling of Bill's Camino. Many of his thoughts, fears and experiences mirrored my Camino. Bill wrote of a day where he felt he couldn't walk much further and he was low in energy. Two young women fr ...more
I enjoyed Bill Bennett's memoir of walking the Camino, the pilgrimage trail, from St. Jean Pied de Port in France across northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela. Bennett's account is similar in style to Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods" about hiking the Appalachian Trail. The story is humorous and enjoyable to read, but Bennett is also introspective and shares thoughtful observations on life on El Camino. He describes the countryside and Spanish villages he passed through, the struggles he fa
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Bill Bennett reminds me a bit of Bill Bryson. An excellent travel writer with excerpts that have you laughing out loud as well as contemplating life along with him. Read this because our family is getting ready to walk the last 100 km of The Way of St James in June of 2016. It appears we will be those annoying ones Bill describes who join the pilgrimage route toward the end, full of energy and laughter, as those who have walked since France as Bill did are not amused by latecomers. But with my 7
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This brilliant account by Bill Bennett of his life-changing pilgrimage on the Camino draws upon all the emotions. You'll find yourself belly-laughing even when alone and becoming misty-eyed and shedding tears towards the end. The inspiration you'll find on every page will make even a non-walker want to walk the Camino. Although Bill Bennett's unique humour sets this book apart, it is deeply moving on many levels. This is a book that can be read multiple times and still be enjoyed.
A true gem! ...more
A true gem! ...more
I walked the Camino with Bill, enthralled and involved on every page. I watched as his writing changed, as he mellowed with the walk, experiencing the highs and the lows of the journey. I loved the people he met, the meals, the scenery, the internal musings, the wry humour. All very Australian, which he and I share. My 6th Camino walked through books, and no doubt more before I embark on my own Camino. Thanks Bill, my 6th Camino with you was the best, most involving and most can't-put-it-down en
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His Camino his way
At first I had trouble liking Bill. There I go, judging! As the walk progressed, he clearly changed in his outlook. This was a very entertaining, thought provoking book. I truly enjoyed the ups and downs of his Camino walk. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone considering this pilgrimage. I will carry his story in my heart as I make my way along the path next spring, 2015.
At first I had trouble liking Bill. There I go, judging! As the walk progressed, he clearly changed in his outlook. This was a very entertaining, thought provoking book. I truly enjoyed the ups and downs of his Camino walk. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone considering this pilgrimage. I will carry his story in my heart as I make my way along the path next spring, 2015.
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