What do you think?
Rate this book
Arkie's Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing
A delightfully funny and inspiring novel about a very modern pilgrimage, and one woman's chance to rediscover what she's lost.
'I watch the highway go by and ponder my situation. I am on the run from my husband's divorce lawyer, my mojo is still missing in action and my demon ex-lover is lurking . . . But, all things considered, my pilgrimage is going well . . .'
Arkie used to be a trendspotter, running a successful business advising companies on ‘the next big thing'. Until she lost her marriage and her mojo along with it.
Her eccentric new friend Haruko suggests a pilgrimage in Japan. But funds are tight, so instead Arkie's going on a very Australian trip, to all the ‘Big Things'.
With Haruko as her guide, magic is everywhere. A Buddha appears next to the Big Redback, the Big Macadamia rises from the jungle like a lost temple and inside the Big Shell she can hear a tinkling voice, reminding her of the child she never had.
As her improbable adventure unfolds, realisation dawns: could it be that, despite her celebrated foresight, Arkie's been missing what was right before her eyes?
'I watch the highway go by and ponder my situation. I am on the run from my husband's divorce lawyer, my mojo is still missing in action and my demon ex-lover is lurking . . . But, all things considered, my pilgrimage is going well . . .'
Arkie used to be a trendspotter, running a successful business advising companies on ‘the next big thing'. Until she lost her marriage and her mojo along with it.
Her eccentric new friend Haruko suggests a pilgrimage in Japan. But funds are tight, so instead Arkie's going on a very Australian trip, to all the ‘Big Things'.
With Haruko as her guide, magic is everywhere. A Buddha appears next to the Big Redback, the Big Macadamia rises from the jungle like a lost temple and inside the Big Shell she can hear a tinkling voice, reminding her of the child she never had.
As her improbable adventure unfolds, realisation dawns: could it be that, despite her celebrated foresight, Arkie's been missing what was right before her eyes?
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
1 person is currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Walker
10 books69 followersLisa writes fiction for adults and young adults. Her eighth novel, and her first psychological suspense, 'The Pact' will come out in January 2026. Other novels are - 'Trouble is My Business', 'The Girl with the Gold Bikini', 'Paris Syndrome', 'Melt', 'Sex, Lies and Bonsai', ‘Liar Bird’, and ‘Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing'.
Lisa's half-hour radio play 'Baddest Backpackers' aired on ABC Radio National in 2008. She was a finalist in the ABC Short Story Award and winner of the Byron Bay Writers Festival short story award. Her writing has been published in The Age, The Guardian, The Big Issue, The Sydney Morning Herald, Griffith Review and the Review of Australian Fiction.
Lisa grew up in Fiji and spent her teenage years in Brisbane. She has worked as a wilderness guide, park ranger and tertiary lecturer, and is now a full-time writer. She has a degree in zoology and a PhD in creative writing.
In her spare time she surfs and explores wild places. She lives on the far north coast of New South Wales, Australia.
www.lisawalker.com.au
Lisa's half-hour radio play 'Baddest Backpackers' aired on ABC Radio National in 2008. She was a finalist in the ABC Short Story Award and winner of the Byron Bay Writers Festival short story award. Her writing has been published in The Age, The Guardian, The Big Issue, The Sydney Morning Herald, Griffith Review and the Review of Australian Fiction.
Lisa grew up in Fiji and spent her teenage years in Brisbane. She has worked as a wilderness guide, park ranger and tertiary lecturer, and is now a full-time writer. She has a degree in zoology and a PhD in creative writing.
In her spare time she surfs and explores wild places. She lives on the far north coast of New South Wales, Australia.
www.lisawalker.com.au
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Read
January 24, 2015DNF'd at 13%
Admittedly, I normally push on until at least 25% before I call a book quits, and it seems particularly unAustralian to post a negative review on Australia Day weekend, but here we are.
The main reason I put this book down is that I found the characters to be immediately two-dimensional and stereotyped. Haruko had promise, but I found it mildly off-putting that the author felt the need to make her Japanese, thus immediately rendering her as a quirky, sweet, fashion-forward, broken-English-speaking stereotype of a young, cool, Harajuku-style lass from that part of the world.
I quickly tired of Arkie and her faux-deep ruminations. I do tend to find that particular class of character - the woman whose life is all messed up due to her own or her husband's infidelities - generally a bit annoying, so we were probably never going to hit it off enormously. However, I suspect her fate was sealed only a few pages in, with her mistake at Byron Bay. I have only been to Byron Bay once - and this was in the last two years - and you would have to be AN ABSOLUTE NUMPTY not to realise that the trains don't run there. The big signs declaring the locals' intentions to return rail services to the region are a dead giveaway for a start.
So even though I was drawn in to the enticing premise of a Big Things premise, I could not be persuaded to continue.
I hope your pilgrimage with Arkie and Haruko is more enlightening than my abandoned attempt.
Admittedly, I normally push on until at least 25% before I call a book quits, and it seems particularly unAustralian to post a negative review on Australia Day weekend, but here we are.
The main reason I put this book down is that I found the characters to be immediately two-dimensional and stereotyped. Haruko had promise, but I found it mildly off-putting that the author felt the need to make her Japanese, thus immediately rendering her as a quirky, sweet, fashion-forward, broken-English-speaking stereotype of a young, cool, Harajuku-style lass from that part of the world.
I quickly tired of Arkie and her faux-deep ruminations. I do tend to find that particular class of character - the woman whose life is all messed up due to her own or her husband's infidelities - generally a bit annoying, so we were probably never going to hit it off enormously. However, I suspect her fate was sealed only a few pages in, with her mistake at Byron Bay. I have only been to Byron Bay once - and this was in the last two years - and you would have to be AN ABSOLUTE NUMPTY not to realise that the trains don't run there. The big signs declaring the locals' intentions to return rail services to the region are a dead giveaway for a start.
So even though I was drawn in to the enticing premise of a Big Things premise, I could not be persuaded to continue.
I hope your pilgrimage with Arkie and Haruko is more enlightening than my abandoned attempt.
August 27, 2016
*3.5 stars
A spiritual pilgrimage of self discovery, combined with a tour of the east coast of Australia’s big tourist icons, is the story behind Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing. This is the third novel published by Australian author Lisa Walker but the first I have read by this author.
At the centre of Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Best Thing is flawed protagonist Arkie. She is a forty something woman who simultaneously experiences crisis in her marriage and career. Arkie feels the world is against her and resolves to end it all on December 31st, unable to bear the start of another year in her own personal hell. Enter Haruko, a highly unlikely ally and stranger, who appears in Arkie’s life just as she is going to end it. Saving Arkie from throwing herself on the tracks of the Byron Bay railway, Haruko, a Japanese tourist, suggests Arkie embark on a pilgrimage. Taking inspiration from her Japanese culture, Haruko devises a plan with Arkie to rid herself of her personal baggage and reinvent her life through embarking on an Australian pilgrimage. Instead of a tour of Japanese temples which is essential to any Japanese pilgrimage, Haruko and Arkie use their lack of funds and current location to tour Australia’s big icons. Together, they move from one big thing to another along the tourist highway of northern NSW and Queensland. Their adventure takes them from the giant cow, to the giant banana, prawn and redback spider among others. At each stop Arkie and Haruko meet an eclectic cast of characters. They also gain deeper meaning from the giant structures and cheesy gift shops that define their road trip. At the conclusion of the pilgrimage, Arkie emerges with a new sense of determination as a renewed woman.
I have had Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing book on my shelves since this book was released. I was initially a little apprehensive about reading it due to the quirky vibe it gives off. I’m also not a fan of the spiritual narrative genre. Having said this, I did enjoy this novel and it actually compelled me to immediately pick up another spiritual journey based novel once I finished it. What appealed to me most about this book was the location of the novel. It was a welcome opportunity to journey with Arkie across the east of Australia. As I live on the West Coast of Australia, I have only had the opportunity to add the big ram to my list of ‘big’ things I have visited. I haven’t had the chance to visit any of the big tourist icons mentioned in the novel but I felt inspired by the book to take a road trip to see these cultural icons of Australia.
Arkie is an interesting character, she is flawed and I had a bit of a job sympathising with her. There are elements of her character that many readers I am sure will draw comparisons with – such as mid life crises, career dives and marriage/divorce troubles. The introduction and pairing of Japanese tourist Haruko was a good move by Walker. Haruko provides good balance to Arkie’s character. She also provides an interesting cultural insight to the book, by adding elements of her own background to the novel and the pilgrimage itself. Minor characters and people that the two encounter on their pilgrimage compliment the novel well. When the reader reaches the ending, a sense of relief and feeling of being ‘reborn’ comes to mind. It is a book that the reader can’t help but feel inspired by in some form or another.
Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Best thing was an entertaining read and I’m glad I gave the book a chance after it sat on my shelves unread for some time. I enjoyed taking away some hidden messages from the book on self acceptance and the positives gained from forming beliefs from the spiritual realm. If you are interested in spiritual narratives in the same vein as Into the Wild and Eat, Pray, Love this book has a distinctly Australian twist and may be just what you are searching for.
(This review also appears on my blog: https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com/)
A spiritual pilgrimage of self discovery, combined with a tour of the east coast of Australia’s big tourist icons, is the story behind Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing. This is the third novel published by Australian author Lisa Walker but the first I have read by this author.
At the centre of Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Best Thing is flawed protagonist Arkie. She is a forty something woman who simultaneously experiences crisis in her marriage and career. Arkie feels the world is against her and resolves to end it all on December 31st, unable to bear the start of another year in her own personal hell. Enter Haruko, a highly unlikely ally and stranger, who appears in Arkie’s life just as she is going to end it. Saving Arkie from throwing herself on the tracks of the Byron Bay railway, Haruko, a Japanese tourist, suggests Arkie embark on a pilgrimage. Taking inspiration from her Japanese culture, Haruko devises a plan with Arkie to rid herself of her personal baggage and reinvent her life through embarking on an Australian pilgrimage. Instead of a tour of Japanese temples which is essential to any Japanese pilgrimage, Haruko and Arkie use their lack of funds and current location to tour Australia’s big icons. Together, they move from one big thing to another along the tourist highway of northern NSW and Queensland. Their adventure takes them from the giant cow, to the giant banana, prawn and redback spider among others. At each stop Arkie and Haruko meet an eclectic cast of characters. They also gain deeper meaning from the giant structures and cheesy gift shops that define their road trip. At the conclusion of the pilgrimage, Arkie emerges with a new sense of determination as a renewed woman.
I have had Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing book on my shelves since this book was released. I was initially a little apprehensive about reading it due to the quirky vibe it gives off. I’m also not a fan of the spiritual narrative genre. Having said this, I did enjoy this novel and it actually compelled me to immediately pick up another spiritual journey based novel once I finished it. What appealed to me most about this book was the location of the novel. It was a welcome opportunity to journey with Arkie across the east of Australia. As I live on the West Coast of Australia, I have only had the opportunity to add the big ram to my list of ‘big’ things I have visited. I haven’t had the chance to visit any of the big tourist icons mentioned in the novel but I felt inspired by the book to take a road trip to see these cultural icons of Australia.
Arkie is an interesting character, she is flawed and I had a bit of a job sympathising with her. There are elements of her character that many readers I am sure will draw comparisons with – such as mid life crises, career dives and marriage/divorce troubles. The introduction and pairing of Japanese tourist Haruko was a good move by Walker. Haruko provides good balance to Arkie’s character. She also provides an interesting cultural insight to the book, by adding elements of her own background to the novel and the pilgrimage itself. Minor characters and people that the two encounter on their pilgrimage compliment the novel well. When the reader reaches the ending, a sense of relief and feeling of being ‘reborn’ comes to mind. It is a book that the reader can’t help but feel inspired by in some form or another.
Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Best thing was an entertaining read and I’m glad I gave the book a chance after it sat on my shelves unread for some time. I enjoyed taking away some hidden messages from the book on self acceptance and the positives gained from forming beliefs from the spiritual realm. If you are interested in spiritual narratives in the same vein as Into the Wild and Eat, Pray, Love this book has a distinctly Australian twist and may be just what you are searching for.
(This review also appears on my blog: https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com/)
February 11, 2015
A quirky tale with a hint of magical realism, Lisa Walker's third novel, 'Arkie's Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing' is the story of one woman's search for all the things she has lost....including herself.
“I am forty-one years old but perhaps it is possible … Can my life begin again?”
A year ago, Arkie Douglas's life fell apart. Her husband left her when Arkie confessed to an affair, and shortly after her business failed, her trend forecasting mojo having deserted her. It's New Year's Eve and Arkie is waiting on a deserted platform in Byron Bay planning to throw herself under the next passing train when a young Japanese woman carrying a briefcase and a surfboard, strikes up a conversation. Despite herself, Arkie is intrigued by Haruko Iida and excited when she recognises her own brand of trend spotting magic in the twenty year old. Abandoning her plans for suicide, Arkie convinces Haruko to work with her, hoping to recover her career.
"Pilgrimages are so hot right now. I think they are the Next Big Thing."
The idea is Haruko's, suggesting society is ready for a resurgence of spirituality, self discovery and simplicity. Arkie enthusiastically embraces the idea but traveling to Japan is out of the question, so instead she proposes a journey closer to home, a pilgrimage to Australia's 'Big Things'. Traveling by train, bus and on foot, while avoiding the Yakuza and Arkie's ex husband's divorce lawyer, Arkie and Haruko set out their unusual pilgrimage in search of the Next Big Thing.
From the Big Redback Spider, to the Big Banana and the Big Prawn, Arkie and Haruko look past the peeling paint and wire fences to find the beauty and meaning in the outsized icons. Their adventure is blessed by the Shinto Gods and smiling Buddha's found in unlikely places, but they face challenges on the 'yellow brick road' along the way. Arkie in particular is forced to reflect on the root causes of her present unhappiness and look closer to home for fulfilment .
I enjoyed traveling to the Big Things with Arkie and Haruko, I have visited a few in my time. In fact the town where I live is home to The Big Oyster. It was once a restaurant, housing a roadside cafe underneath for highway travellers heading North, but the bypass forced its closure and the site was redeveloped, so now the Big Oyster is empty, presiding over a car dealership.
Truthfully Arkie doesn't engender a lot of sympathy, she is self absorbed and a confessed adulterer, but I could sort of relate to the questions she is struggling with. Her life has imploded and she is lost, looking for a way to regain her equilibrium.
Haruko is an unlikely spiritual guide in the guise of a quirky, hip Japanese girl. An enigmatic character with an ethereal quality, she is self possessed with a talent for reinventing herself.
Arkie's Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing is an offbeat, sometimes surreal, contemporary novel that will have you reminiscing about your last visit to one of Australia's 'Big Things' and perhaps yearning for your own spiritual road-trip.
July 1, 2023
I really liked this book. I was looking up all the big things on the way, including Adelaide's The Big Scotsman. You were definitely robbed of the title of the first big thing in Australia.
July 3, 2016
I won this book and I'm glad I did because it wouldn't have chosen it myself, perhaps thinking it a bit too light and fluffy, however the tale of Arkie who's lost her trendspotting mojo and her Japanese travelling companion Haruko slowly crept up on me until I was hooked. The 'fluff' turned out to be whimsy and the lightness of touch camouflaged moments of real depth and insight.
The characterisation is deftly realised. Unlike Haruko, first person narrator, Arkie, is not immediately likeable however during the course of the quirky pilgrimage she is 'redeemed' and I cared for both characters equally.
Setting a pilgrimage to classic Aussie kitsch 'big things' and finding some meaning in them is surrealism at its best - one of the overarching themes of the book. Full of symbolism and metaphore, I found 'Arkie's Pilgimage to the next Big Thing' to be a humorous and also satisfying story of Arkie's physical, emotional and relational adventure.
I found a 'Bridget Jones' likeness to Arkie and I could see this book made into a quirky Aussie classic movie.
I look forward to reading more form this author.
The characterisation is deftly realised. Unlike Haruko, first person narrator, Arkie, is not immediately likeable however during the course of the quirky pilgrimage she is 'redeemed' and I cared for both characters equally.
Setting a pilgrimage to classic Aussie kitsch 'big things' and finding some meaning in them is surrealism at its best - one of the overarching themes of the book. Full of symbolism and metaphore, I found 'Arkie's Pilgimage to the next Big Thing' to be a humorous and also satisfying story of Arkie's physical, emotional and relational adventure.
I found a 'Bridget Jones' likeness to Arkie and I could see this book made into a quirky Aussie classic movie.
I look forward to reading more form this author.
February 4, 2015
Lisa Walker invents her own style of surrealism (“I think surrealism is a ‘make your own fun’ kind of art form’ – Lisa Walker) in her latest novel. She brings together a pseudo Japanese ‘wanna’ be pilgrimage and evolves it into an adventure of discovery to some of Australia’s ‘big things’ (Big Pineapple, Big Cow, Big Macadamia, Big Shell, Big Redback Spider, to name but a few). Add in a twist of referencing to ‘The Wizard of Oz’ for good measure and the result is surrealism for sure!
Full review at:
http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com.a...
Full review at:
http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com.a...
February 24, 2015
It’s been a year since Arkie Douglas’s husband left her and her business crumbled. She fled Sydney for Byron Bay and now she’s waiting for the train to go through with the intention of throwing herself under it. For a while she’s alone but then a young Japanese girl named Haruko turns up. After some time there together, they discover that the trains stopped going through Byron Bay well over ten years ago. By then Arkie no longer wants to throw herself beneath one and she hires Haruko almost immediately. Arkie used to be a trendspotter and forecaster and she seems something very special in Haruko. Having lost her mojo, maybe Haruko is the way in which she can get it back.
Listening to Haruko talk about pilgrimages in Japan to visit the temples gives Arkie and idea. She doesn’t have the money to go to Japan but instead she’s going to do her very own Australian pilgrimage and what’s more Australian than visiting all of the Big Things? Australians have long had a fascination for building Big Things – they’re everywhere. The Big Pineapple. The Big Banana. Everyone knows those. But there are so many more and Arkie is going to visit them all. With Haruko as her guide, she’s sure she can find her way back to the path of enlightenment.
Arkie’s small budget isn’t the only thing complicating her pilgrimage. She’s being chased by a lawyer determined to serve her with the divorce papers that Arkie doesn’t want to accept. That makes her think of her husband Adam and how it all came to fall apart. If Arkie can get her mojo back then maybe she might be able to get that other area of her life back on track too.
I’ve read both of Lisa Walker’s previous books and really enjoyed them so I was excited to read this, her third novel especially when I read about the premise. Arkie is always looking for the ‘next big thing’ and that combined with the idea of the Japanese pilgrimage was awesome. I love the Big Things – who doesn’t?! For me they’re such a quintessential part of the Australian holiday experience and what better to be the ‘next big thing’ than actual Big Things. I’ve seen a few in my life – I grew up a couple hours south of the Big Banana which is one of the more famous ones and I’ve also seen the Big Oyster, Big Prawn, the now closed Big Bull and my family holidayed in Queensland a fair bit which ticked off the Big Pineapple. It was just last year that I stopped for fuel at the Big Merino at 3am in Goulbourn but it was still proudly visible. The idea of visiting some 88 Big Things sounded like so much fun! I wanted to learn more about the Big Things I didn’t know that much about and I love road trip books a lot.
I had sympathy for Arkie in the beginning even though I thought she might not be very bright – I knew the trains had stopped in Byron Bay long ago and they’re unlikely at this stage to ever resume. I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt as I grew up on the North Coast line but anyone who’d been there more than probably a day would be able to to recognise the station wasn’t in use. Two people turning up to catch a train that hadn’t stopped in ten years seemed a bit far fetched. My sympathy for Arkie also quickly waned when I learned the true reason for her marriage breakdown. I find that a really difficult topic to read about and I also find it really difficult to feel sorry for people who indulge in it and then wonder how it all came crashing down. It’s obvious how it all came crashing down and Arkie was too selfish and self-absorbed to really focus on the person that she had wronged and hurt. She was instead caught up in her own little world. Despite her mistakes I did end up liking Arkie and her journey sounded like such fun. I wanted her to start to sort her life out, to get back to doing what she did best and forget about the reason for her marriage ending. It seemed it was too much on her mind, even though it had already been over a year. The story with the lawyer chasing Arkie was hilarious, she does incredible things to avoid being served with the papers and that part of the story really did keep me giggling.
I also enjoyed the Big Things that Arkie and Haruko went to visit (well mostly Arkie). There weren’t as many as I thought there’d be but it would be difficult to include a lot in a book without the reader probably getting bored of the them. There were quite a few I didn’t know anything about and some it seems are unfortunately not as well maintained as they used to be or have been pulled down completely. I actually didn’t know until the time came to write this review that the Big Bull at Wauchope, which was the closest Big Thing to where I grew up, was pulled down almost eight years ago (you can find a list of all of Australia’s Big Things here). However, I found Haruko’s storyline also a bit far fetched – actually I think I found the entire character of Haruko a bit hard to really identify with. That overly quirky, fashion forward, trend-setting Japanese girl with the slightly broken English didn’t really gel with me. She’s in a foreign country alone and she immediately also starts travelling with Arkie after knowing her about a day. I found both of their behaviour unusual at times. At some stages Haruko seemed way to good to be true and half the book I was expecting her to turn out some sort of figment of Arkie’s imagination or something. In terms of a real flesh and blood character, there wasn’t much to her and I didn’t feel as though the end of the book really gave much depth to her or her story, instead it made me sort of incredulous in a ‘is this really happening’ sort of way.
For me the strength in this story is Arkie and her pilgrimage to the ‘Big Things’. I enjoyed her slow unveiling of the story of how her life had come to be how it was and although I didn’t agree with her actions or feel pity for her because of the consequences, I did admire her blunt honesty and how up front she was about everything. It’s not often you read a book with a protagonist that has made such a colossal mistake as Arkie has. I think I’d have liked a bit more at the end, maybe seen the book go on just a fraction longer but I guess this way the reader gets to make up their mind which direction Arkie’s future goes in.
Listening to Haruko talk about pilgrimages in Japan to visit the temples gives Arkie and idea. She doesn’t have the money to go to Japan but instead she’s going to do her very own Australian pilgrimage and what’s more Australian than visiting all of the Big Things? Australians have long had a fascination for building Big Things – they’re everywhere. The Big Pineapple. The Big Banana. Everyone knows those. But there are so many more and Arkie is going to visit them all. With Haruko as her guide, she’s sure she can find her way back to the path of enlightenment.
Arkie’s small budget isn’t the only thing complicating her pilgrimage. She’s being chased by a lawyer determined to serve her with the divorce papers that Arkie doesn’t want to accept. That makes her think of her husband Adam and how it all came to fall apart. If Arkie can get her mojo back then maybe she might be able to get that other area of her life back on track too.
I’ve read both of Lisa Walker’s previous books and really enjoyed them so I was excited to read this, her third novel especially when I read about the premise. Arkie is always looking for the ‘next big thing’ and that combined with the idea of the Japanese pilgrimage was awesome. I love the Big Things – who doesn’t?! For me they’re such a quintessential part of the Australian holiday experience and what better to be the ‘next big thing’ than actual Big Things. I’ve seen a few in my life – I grew up a couple hours south of the Big Banana which is one of the more famous ones and I’ve also seen the Big Oyster, Big Prawn, the now closed Big Bull and my family holidayed in Queensland a fair bit which ticked off the Big Pineapple. It was just last year that I stopped for fuel at the Big Merino at 3am in Goulbourn but it was still proudly visible. The idea of visiting some 88 Big Things sounded like so much fun! I wanted to learn more about the Big Things I didn’t know that much about and I love road trip books a lot.
I had sympathy for Arkie in the beginning even though I thought she might not be very bright – I knew the trains had stopped in Byron Bay long ago and they’re unlikely at this stage to ever resume. I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt as I grew up on the North Coast line but anyone who’d been there more than probably a day would be able to to recognise the station wasn’t in use. Two people turning up to catch a train that hadn’t stopped in ten years seemed a bit far fetched. My sympathy for Arkie also quickly waned when I learned the true reason for her marriage breakdown. I find that a really difficult topic to read about and I also find it really difficult to feel sorry for people who indulge in it and then wonder how it all came crashing down. It’s obvious how it all came crashing down and Arkie was too selfish and self-absorbed to really focus on the person that she had wronged and hurt. She was instead caught up in her own little world. Despite her mistakes I did end up liking Arkie and her journey sounded like such fun. I wanted her to start to sort her life out, to get back to doing what she did best and forget about the reason for her marriage ending. It seemed it was too much on her mind, even though it had already been over a year. The story with the lawyer chasing Arkie was hilarious, she does incredible things to avoid being served with the papers and that part of the story really did keep me giggling.
I also enjoyed the Big Things that Arkie and Haruko went to visit (well mostly Arkie). There weren’t as many as I thought there’d be but it would be difficult to include a lot in a book without the reader probably getting bored of the them. There were quite a few I didn’t know anything about and some it seems are unfortunately not as well maintained as they used to be or have been pulled down completely. I actually didn’t know until the time came to write this review that the Big Bull at Wauchope, which was the closest Big Thing to where I grew up, was pulled down almost eight years ago (you can find a list of all of Australia’s Big Things here). However, I found Haruko’s storyline also a bit far fetched – actually I think I found the entire character of Haruko a bit hard to really identify with. That overly quirky, fashion forward, trend-setting Japanese girl with the slightly broken English didn’t really gel with me. She’s in a foreign country alone and she immediately also starts travelling with Arkie after knowing her about a day. I found both of their behaviour unusual at times. At some stages Haruko seemed way to good to be true and half the book I was expecting her to turn out some sort of figment of Arkie’s imagination or something. In terms of a real flesh and blood character, there wasn’t much to her and I didn’t feel as though the end of the book really gave much depth to her or her story, instead it made me sort of incredulous in a ‘is this really happening’ sort of way.
For me the strength in this story is Arkie and her pilgrimage to the ‘Big Things’. I enjoyed her slow unveiling of the story of how her life had come to be how it was and although I didn’t agree with her actions or feel pity for her because of the consequences, I did admire her blunt honesty and how up front she was about everything. It’s not often you read a book with a protagonist that has made such a colossal mistake as Arkie has. I think I’d have liked a bit more at the end, maybe seen the book go on just a fraction longer but I guess this way the reader gets to make up their mind which direction Arkie’s future goes in.
April 3, 2025
I am very grateful to whoever recommended this one to me—what an absolute delight! Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing by Lisa Walker is an adorable romp, full of magic, whimsy, and self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of Northern NSW, the story follows Arkie, during a dark and desperate time in her life, embarking on a pilgrimage to visit Australia’s iconic “Big Things” with a cast of supporting characters that are reminiscent of “The Wizard of Oz.”
What begins as a budget-friendly, time-restricted alternative to the revered Shikoku trail in Japan quickly becomes something much deeper. Each stop along the way—whether it’s the Big Banana, the Big Prawn, or another landmark—offers its own unexpected lessons, mirroring the kind of spiritual insights one might hope to gain from a traditional pilgrimage. A transformative road trip full of delightful humor and Australiana. Highly recommend!
What begins as a budget-friendly, time-restricted alternative to the revered Shikoku trail in Japan quickly becomes something much deeper. Each stop along the way—whether it’s the Big Banana, the Big Prawn, or another landmark—offers its own unexpected lessons, mirroring the kind of spiritual insights one might hope to gain from a traditional pilgrimage. A transformative road trip full of delightful humor and Australiana. Highly recommend!
May 28, 2019
This was a very entertaining book. As I was reading it, I found similarities that I had with the character - for example, I have all the little Japanese gods that she took with her.
I thoroughly enjoyed this easy read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this easy read.
May 12, 2017
This was OK. I kind of read it because I have to for my book club, otherwise I would probably never have picked it up. I did enjoy the way it ended though.
June 19, 2017
quirky little aussie book...i really liked it
June 19, 2019
Uniquely Australian, with interesting complex female characters. A whole lot of fun. I enjoyed the pilgrimage ...
April 25, 2020
Loved it. Perfect holiday read.
August 11, 2021
Sorry but if a book hasn't reeled me in by chapter 7 and irratates me I don't waste time trying to plow thru to the end.
February 15, 2015
Arkie Douglas is sitting on the railway station waiting for the train under which she will commit suicide. It is 31 December, but Arkie has no intention of seeing in the New Year.
Obviously, life is not good for Arkie. Her husband’s lawyer, Fabian, is chasing her to serve divorce papers; okay so what if Arkie had an affair? Her wonderful and amazing mojo walked out with her lover Ben, taking with it her career as a trendspotter, a predictor of “the Next Big Thing”. Why was she the only one who saw the benefit of an office constructed and furnished totally in cardboard?
Adding insult to injury, a Japanese tourist, who introduces herself as Miss Haruko, insists on talking and calling her Mizarki. Haruko is carrying a brief case and a surfboard, but Arkie doesn’t have time to wonder why this unusual combination of accessories; the 9.40pm train under which she will end her troubles is due.
Where is that train? Sorry Arkie, no suicide tonight; your timetable and Haruko’s are obsolete, that train was cancelled long ago. Just not your day is it Arkie? You can’t even get this right!
So begins an unlikely and highly entertaining friendship. At midnight Haruko, as is the custom in Japan, gives Arkie a gift, miniature statues of the Seven Shinto Gods of Good Luck, Hotei, Jurōjin, Fukurokuju, Bishamonten, Benzaiten (Benten-sama), Daikokuten (Daikoku) and Ebisu. This gift brings a little bit of magic to Arkie.
Haruko suggests to Arkie that she cure what ails her by taking a pilgrimage to Japans shrines, but money being in short supply this is not an option. There are however a number of “shrines” in Australia, shrines such as the Big Prawn and the Big Redback.
When I started to read this book, I was apprehensive; I’m not a fan of mid-life crises or self-indulgence sending people off in the direction of spiritual enlightenment. That the crises could be solved by visiting a big Banana, Pelican, Shell et al, seemed just too ridiculous.
Nonetheless, something about this story caught my imagination and the more I read, the more I enjoyed Arkie’s pilgrimage. It gently pokes fun at the material and metaphorical “Big Thing” in an entertaining and light hearted way. But don’t let the “fluff” fool you.
Among the laughs, there are some interesting insights. Noting the number of Buddha, or Buddha like, statues to be found in many different places, Arkie asks “Do you think that sales of Buddhas are indicative of a new desire for spirituality in our everyday lives?” Do you?
Among the ghosts of Arkie’s past is the loss of a child she calls the “water child”. “In Japan, we have shrines for children who die. Or babies who aren’t born. They are called mizuko,’ says Haruko. “Memorials to unborn and dead children are a common sight in Japan”. Reading how Arkie creates her own mizuko, made me a bit misty-eyed.
From the view of a 60 something, I could be harsh and tell Arkie to “toughen up Buttercup. You won’t solve your problems through self-indulgent, introspective navel-gazing”. But as the woman I was before I gained this wisdom, I travelled with her to both the material and the metaphorical “Next Big Thing” and thoroughly enjoyed the journey.
Lisa Walker has written a quirky, amusing, entertaining story, which I encourage you to try – it is a very different experience but worth your time.
This review is included in the Random House Blog Tour for Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing; to read the other blogs see here http://bit.ly/1y3Dwww.
This review is published on Starts at Sixty http://bit.ly/1Begvx4
Obviously, life is not good for Arkie. Her husband’s lawyer, Fabian, is chasing her to serve divorce papers; okay so what if Arkie had an affair? Her wonderful and amazing mojo walked out with her lover Ben, taking with it her career as a trendspotter, a predictor of “the Next Big Thing”. Why was she the only one who saw the benefit of an office constructed and furnished totally in cardboard?
Adding insult to injury, a Japanese tourist, who introduces herself as Miss Haruko, insists on talking and calling her Mizarki. Haruko is carrying a brief case and a surfboard, but Arkie doesn’t have time to wonder why this unusual combination of accessories; the 9.40pm train under which she will end her troubles is due.
Where is that train? Sorry Arkie, no suicide tonight; your timetable and Haruko’s are obsolete, that train was cancelled long ago. Just not your day is it Arkie? You can’t even get this right!
So begins an unlikely and highly entertaining friendship. At midnight Haruko, as is the custom in Japan, gives Arkie a gift, miniature statues of the Seven Shinto Gods of Good Luck, Hotei, Jurōjin, Fukurokuju, Bishamonten, Benzaiten (Benten-sama), Daikokuten (Daikoku) and Ebisu. This gift brings a little bit of magic to Arkie.
Haruko suggests to Arkie that she cure what ails her by taking a pilgrimage to Japans shrines, but money being in short supply this is not an option. There are however a number of “shrines” in Australia, shrines such as the Big Prawn and the Big Redback.
When I started to read this book, I was apprehensive; I’m not a fan of mid-life crises or self-indulgence sending people off in the direction of spiritual enlightenment. That the crises could be solved by visiting a big Banana, Pelican, Shell et al, seemed just too ridiculous.
Nonetheless, something about this story caught my imagination and the more I read, the more I enjoyed Arkie’s pilgrimage. It gently pokes fun at the material and metaphorical “Big Thing” in an entertaining and light hearted way. But don’t let the “fluff” fool you.
Among the laughs, there are some interesting insights. Noting the number of Buddha, or Buddha like, statues to be found in many different places, Arkie asks “Do you think that sales of Buddhas are indicative of a new desire for spirituality in our everyday lives?” Do you?
Among the ghosts of Arkie’s past is the loss of a child she calls the “water child”. “In Japan, we have shrines for children who die. Or babies who aren’t born. They are called mizuko,’ says Haruko. “Memorials to unborn and dead children are a common sight in Japan”. Reading how Arkie creates her own mizuko, made me a bit misty-eyed.
From the view of a 60 something, I could be harsh and tell Arkie to “toughen up Buttercup. You won’t solve your problems through self-indulgent, introspective navel-gazing”. But as the woman I was before I gained this wisdom, I travelled with her to both the material and the metaphorical “Next Big Thing” and thoroughly enjoyed the journey.
Lisa Walker has written a quirky, amusing, entertaining story, which I encourage you to try – it is a very different experience but worth your time.
This review is included in the Random House Blog Tour for Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing; to read the other blogs see here http://bit.ly/1y3Dwww.
This review is published on Starts at Sixty http://bit.ly/1Begvx4
January 30, 2015
The book opens and we find 41 year old Arkie Douglas (female) about to attempt to commit suicide on the one year anniversary of her husband leaving her, which also happens to be New Year’s. She decides that it’s all too much to bear and is going to throw herself in front of a train.
Enter a hip 20 year old Japanese holiday maker by the name of Haruko (female). They spend New Year’s together waiting for a train that doesn’t come, they later discover it stopped running ten years prior.
Arkie offers Haruko a Job after only knowing her for 36 hours, hoping she’ll help her get back into the trend spotting game. Arkie was a big shot trend predictor before her marriage fell apart and she feel to pieces.
That may all sound a bit far-fetched, but a found those initial chapters quite entertaining.
We go on to find out that Arkie’s ex-husbands name is Adam and her ex-lover’s name is Ben. This is where the story started to lose me as I couldn’t feel sorry for Arkie anymore.
If you ignore the infidelity and just look at it as being destroyed by heartbreak and rebuilding ones self, then there are bits and pieces in the story most of us can relate to.
I quite enjoyed reading about the pilgrimage and the big bad lawyer being after Arkie. I didn’t mind reading about Arkie reminiscing about Adam, I liked Adam. The reminiscing about Ben annoyed me, probably because I thought Ben was an Oily Snake and he did prove he was just that when he went on and became a politician.
The water child weirded me out at first, mainly the name. I think if she’d been named Prue or Alison for example I probably wouldn’t have minded Arkie talking to the imaginary child she never got to have. The name “water child” makes me think of some demonic little girl trapped down a well in a Steven King novel. But once the deeper meaning of the Water Child was reviled, I felt guilty at finding her weird and ached at Arkie’s stupidity and loss.
The ending was a little anti-climactic. Yes she gets back with her husband, but I would have loved in the epilogue to see her with the child she so desired, be it as a foster mother or whatever.
If you enjoyed reading Eat Pray Love, then you’ll love this book (with added Aussie bonus). I give it 3.5 stars, it loses half a star as the ending didn’t satisfy me.
See lady’s we don’t need to go to Italy or an Ashram in India to find ourselves, after a mid-life crises we can get lost in ourselves and a simpler time enjoying Australia’s Big Things.
I’m going to go see the big Scotsman next time I’m in Adelaide, just to say I’ve been to the original.
Enter a hip 20 year old Japanese holiday maker by the name of Haruko (female). They spend New Year’s together waiting for a train that doesn’t come, they later discover it stopped running ten years prior.
Arkie offers Haruko a Job after only knowing her for 36 hours, hoping she’ll help her get back into the trend spotting game. Arkie was a big shot trend predictor before her marriage fell apart and she feel to pieces.
That may all sound a bit far-fetched, but a found those initial chapters quite entertaining.
We go on to find out that Arkie’s ex-husbands name is Adam and her ex-lover’s name is Ben. This is where the story started to lose me as I couldn’t feel sorry for Arkie anymore.
If you ignore the infidelity and just look at it as being destroyed by heartbreak and rebuilding ones self, then there are bits and pieces in the story most of us can relate to.
I quite enjoyed reading about the pilgrimage and the big bad lawyer being after Arkie. I didn’t mind reading about Arkie reminiscing about Adam, I liked Adam. The reminiscing about Ben annoyed me, probably because I thought Ben was an Oily Snake and he did prove he was just that when he went on and became a politician.
The water child weirded me out at first, mainly the name. I think if she’d been named Prue or Alison for example I probably wouldn’t have minded Arkie talking to the imaginary child she never got to have. The name “water child” makes me think of some demonic little girl trapped down a well in a Steven King novel. But once the deeper meaning of the Water Child was reviled, I felt guilty at finding her weird and ached at Arkie’s stupidity and loss.
The ending was a little anti-climactic. Yes she gets back with her husband, but I would have loved in the epilogue to see her with the child she so desired, be it as a foster mother or whatever.
If you enjoyed reading Eat Pray Love, then you’ll love this book (with added Aussie bonus). I give it 3.5 stars, it loses half a star as the ending didn’t satisfy me.
See lady’s we don’t need to go to Italy or an Ashram in India to find ourselves, after a mid-life crises we can get lost in ourselves and a simpler time enjoying Australia’s Big Things.
I’m going to go see the big Scotsman next time I’m in Adelaide, just to say I’ve been to the original.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2015
Although billed as "the" party night of the year, New Year's Eve can be a depressing occasion for many people. For Arkie the close of 2014 is so dismal she spends it on a railway platform with every intention of leaping in front of the next train. Fortunately for her trains no longer run to Byron Bay and instead Arkie finds herself in the company of a quirky young Japanese woman who steers her life in a completely unexpected direction - a pilgrimage to all of Australia's "Big" things.
I really liked the premise of this book. Pilgrimages have always been a part of human society, undertaken by few but believed to hold great rewards for those who make the effort to complete one. I loved the way Arkie's pilgrimage was to our quintessentially Australian Big Things - ie The Big Cow, Pineapple, Prawn, Banana, Mower etc rather than having to go somewhere spiritually significant and/or geographically remote. Arkie's quest to renew and rebuild herself is understandable and being of a similar age to Arkie I could relate to that concept on many levels. Having grown up close to the Big Pineapple and Big Cow, this book was also a nostalgic journey for me.
Having said that, there were some elements of the story that just didn't work for me. Unfortunately one of these was right at the beginning of the book. The likelihood that a ten year old train timetable was still in existence is far fetched enough but going beyond that surely railway stations that are no longer is use would not be open for people to walk onto the platform? Or even if somehow they did would there not be other signs that the station was no longer in use - eg the fact there was no lighting or ticket machine?? I'm not sure if this clouded my view of Arkie, but I just couldn't warm to her, although I did understand where she was in her life. She was the type of character you just wanted to shake at times and tell her to get on with it - I will say I liked her more as the story went on.
On a separate note, Arkie's Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing showed just how our society has changed and evolved within the past few decades and had me yearning just a little for a time when a "big" fibreglass object on the side of the highway was a genuine tourist destination.
Overall I did like this book. Although I found some of the elements a little too quirky for my taste, there were many positive and inspirational messages intertwined within the story and ultimately it did work. I think I would have probably liked it more if the beginning was a bit more believable. The story did get better as it moved along and the conclusion was both satisfying and realistic.
I really liked the premise of this book. Pilgrimages have always been a part of human society, undertaken by few but believed to hold great rewards for those who make the effort to complete one. I loved the way Arkie's pilgrimage was to our quintessentially Australian Big Things - ie The Big Cow, Pineapple, Prawn, Banana, Mower etc rather than having to go somewhere spiritually significant and/or geographically remote. Arkie's quest to renew and rebuild herself is understandable and being of a similar age to Arkie I could relate to that concept on many levels. Having grown up close to the Big Pineapple and Big Cow, this book was also a nostalgic journey for me.
Having said that, there were some elements of the story that just didn't work for me. Unfortunately one of these was right at the beginning of the book. The likelihood that a ten year old train timetable was still in existence is far fetched enough but going beyond that surely railway stations that are no longer is use would not be open for people to walk onto the platform? Or even if somehow they did would there not be other signs that the station was no longer in use - eg the fact there was no lighting or ticket machine?? I'm not sure if this clouded my view of Arkie, but I just couldn't warm to her, although I did understand where she was in her life. She was the type of character you just wanted to shake at times and tell her to get on with it - I will say I liked her more as the story went on.
On a separate note, Arkie's Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing showed just how our society has changed and evolved within the past few decades and had me yearning just a little for a time when a "big" fibreglass object on the side of the highway was a genuine tourist destination.
Overall I did like this book. Although I found some of the elements a little too quirky for my taste, there were many positive and inspirational messages intertwined within the story and ultimately it did work. I think I would have probably liked it more if the beginning was a bit more believable. The story did get better as it moved along and the conclusion was both satisfying and realistic.
Read
June 11, 2015This isn’t the sort of book I’d usually read. It’s embarrassing to admit, but it was really the pretty cover that drew me in and I was pleasantly surprised. Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing was enjoyable, if somewhat wild, and the perfect summer read.
Arkie and new friend Haruko are on a pilgrimage, both literal and figurative, to the next Big Thing. But when they reach the sad husks of booming tourist traps past, a little imagination is required to see their true beauty. I loved the idea of getting back to basics and paying homage to the kitsch icons of a classic coast road trip sans iPad. My hometown Rockhampton and its lovely (lol jks, but we love them anyway) bull statues even got a mention, although though I wouldn’t class them as a genuine Big Things. As Arkie and Haruko travelled throughout South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales, I also loved how much I could relate to the setting.
While I found it hard to relate to Arkie, I did like reading her story. Her marriage is in tatters following the revaluation she had an affair and the further Arkie travels, the more she reflects on not having children. Personally, this is something I would have liked to have seen explored even further, earlier in the novel. With a lot of self-reflection, I can see it would be difficult to read this book if you weren’t a fan of Arkie.
Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing is a quirky read and held a certain dream-like quality. It was hard to believe trend-spotting could be a ‘thing’, nonetheless I loved this cool excuse to bring up some awesome retro fads. I fell like this is the sort of book you need to read lazing about by the pool. There were some little gems of wisdom and a serious undertone in parts, but I felt an overwhelming sense of frivolity and freedom overall.
Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing has the same feel as the surrealist paintings Arkie loves so much. Strange and bizarre in the nicest way. Embrace this, enjoy the ride and imagine the Big Things in their heyday when you pick up this book.
This review and many more can be found at The Unfinished Bookshelf.
Thank you to Random House Australia for providing a copy of the book for review.
Arkie and new friend Haruko are on a pilgrimage, both literal and figurative, to the next Big Thing. But when they reach the sad husks of booming tourist traps past, a little imagination is required to see their true beauty. I loved the idea of getting back to basics and paying homage to the kitsch icons of a classic coast road trip sans iPad. My hometown Rockhampton and its lovely (lol jks, but we love them anyway) bull statues even got a mention, although though I wouldn’t class them as a genuine Big Things. As Arkie and Haruko travelled throughout South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales, I also loved how much I could relate to the setting.
While I found it hard to relate to Arkie, I did like reading her story. Her marriage is in tatters following the revaluation she had an affair and the further Arkie travels, the more she reflects on not having children. Personally, this is something I would have liked to have seen explored even further, earlier in the novel. With a lot of self-reflection, I can see it would be difficult to read this book if you weren’t a fan of Arkie.
Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing is a quirky read and held a certain dream-like quality. It was hard to believe trend-spotting could be a ‘thing’, nonetheless I loved this cool excuse to bring up some awesome retro fads. I fell like this is the sort of book you need to read lazing about by the pool. There were some little gems of wisdom and a serious undertone in parts, but I felt an overwhelming sense of frivolity and freedom overall.
Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing has the same feel as the surrealist paintings Arkie loves so much. Strange and bizarre in the nicest way. Embrace this, enjoy the ride and imagine the Big Things in their heyday when you pick up this book.
This review and many more can be found at The Unfinished Bookshelf.
Thank you to Random House Australia for providing a copy of the book for review.
February 15, 2015
Rumour has it that pilgrimage narratives are the next big thing. Following on from Eat Pray Love, and with Wild fresh in our memories, Arkie’s Pilgrimage To The Next Big Thing is another example of the ‘finding yourself’ novel. The book’s protagonist, Arkie, is a 40-something woman, recently separated from both her husband and her career. A strange set of circumstances sets her off on a road trip, from which she emerges with a fresh perspective and redefined ambitions.
Australian readers (especially) will love the fact that this novel about finding your personal ‘next big thing’ is based on a pilgrimage around the east coast’s official ‘big things’; a collection of famously kitsch cultural icons, built mostly in the 60s and 70s and in various states of decay as the years go by. From the Pineapple to the Prawn, Arkie discovers that you don’t need to consult a guru on a remote Asian beach, or get knee deep in leeches in some hostile terrain in order to experience a spiritual journey. Auspicious signs, sliding door opportunities and curious characters with valuable insights are, in fact, everywhere – if you’re paying attention.
The messages of the book are as you might expect from the genre: you will be haunted by your past until you make peace with it, and the next big thing on your personal journey should probably be found within, rather than jumping on the latest bandwagon. The locations, though, make a really original backdrop for this type of novel. I particularly enjoyed the way the author played around with the fluid use and interpretation of spirituality, signs and symbols in modern Australia.
A full review of this book can be found at http://thischarmingmum.com
Australian readers (especially) will love the fact that this novel about finding your personal ‘next big thing’ is based on a pilgrimage around the east coast’s official ‘big things’; a collection of famously kitsch cultural icons, built mostly in the 60s and 70s and in various states of decay as the years go by. From the Pineapple to the Prawn, Arkie discovers that you don’t need to consult a guru on a remote Asian beach, or get knee deep in leeches in some hostile terrain in order to experience a spiritual journey. Auspicious signs, sliding door opportunities and curious characters with valuable insights are, in fact, everywhere – if you’re paying attention.
The messages of the book are as you might expect from the genre: you will be haunted by your past until you make peace with it, and the next big thing on your personal journey should probably be found within, rather than jumping on the latest bandwagon. The locations, though, make a really original backdrop for this type of novel. I particularly enjoyed the way the author played around with the fluid use and interpretation of spirituality, signs and symbols in modern Australia.
A full review of this book can be found at http://thischarmingmum.com
May 16, 2015
Like everything in life, the timing of this book was perfect!
When Arkie ponders, "The world seems deeply mysterious to me in a way it isn't to others. A crow at outside my window, a dog following me home, a dream of a shipwreck, any of these things can set my mind off on a tangent from which it amy take some time to return." I recognise my own magical way of seeing significance as well as the horror story so many people live day to day.
I recognise the story inside people's heads proclaiming this thing a sign of 'getting it wrong' and that a sign of 'being lazy' and all the while a life being lived in purgatory. It is when Arkie realises for herself that "everything you need, you already have" that the significance of each moment is changed (even though the things themselves remain the same).
It is a fascinating way to explore the pilgrimage of modern corporate approaches to being here, finding reason, and acknowledging the multiplicity of factors at play determining our so-called perspective.
When Arkie ponders, "The world seems deeply mysterious to me in a way it isn't to others. A crow at outside my window, a dog following me home, a dream of a shipwreck, any of these things can set my mind off on a tangent from which it amy take some time to return." I recognise my own magical way of seeing significance as well as the horror story so many people live day to day.
I recognise the story inside people's heads proclaiming this thing a sign of 'getting it wrong' and that a sign of 'being lazy' and all the while a life being lived in purgatory. It is when Arkie realises for herself that "everything you need, you already have" that the significance of each moment is changed (even though the things themselves remain the same).
It is a fascinating way to explore the pilgrimage of modern corporate approaches to being here, finding reason, and acknowledging the multiplicity of factors at play determining our so-called perspective.
February 27, 2015
This is a funny and inspiring story of Arkie a 40 something Australian woman in the midst of a divorce and on a mission to get her mojo and her life back.
Arkie befriends a Japanese girl Haruko and together they go on a modern day pilgrimage around Australia's big things, as a twist to the traditional pilgrimages throughout Japan.
This is an upbeat and interesting read, especially for those interested in travelling Australia and it's big things .... The Big Pineapple, The Big Banana, The Big Prawn, The Big Macadamia, etc.
This story has a lot of hidden meaning and inspiration too and I found the spiritual side of the book interesting and uplifting.
It was a very easy book to read, the writing flowed, and I felt that I was right alongside Arkie and Haruko on their journey.
I recommend this book to anyone who has lost their mojo or is on a search to find yourself, you might just find what you're looking for in this book.
Arkie befriends a Japanese girl Haruko and together they go on a modern day pilgrimage around Australia's big things, as a twist to the traditional pilgrimages throughout Japan.
This is an upbeat and interesting read, especially for those interested in travelling Australia and it's big things .... The Big Pineapple, The Big Banana, The Big Prawn, The Big Macadamia, etc.
This story has a lot of hidden meaning and inspiration too and I found the spiritual side of the book interesting and uplifting.
It was a very easy book to read, the writing flowed, and I felt that I was right alongside Arkie and Haruko on their journey.
I recommend this book to anyone who has lost their mojo or is on a search to find yourself, you might just find what you're looking for in this book.
April 2, 2015
Arkie is a trendsetter, predicting the 'next big thing', until she loses her lover, her husband and her predicting mojo. After meeting a quirky Japanese girl Haruko, who also has a flair for trendsetting and an uber-efficient way of packing a carry-on bag, Arkie embarks on a journey of self discovery, a pilgrimage of sorts, visiting Australian tourist icons.
This book is probably more chick-lit than I normally read but I enjoyed it anyway. It has a magical quality - how does Haruko pack so many outfits in a briefcase? And there is a dog that needs saving but also manages to be a saviour.
Good, fun read.
This book is probably more chick-lit than I normally read but I enjoyed it anyway. It has a magical quality - how does Haruko pack so many outfits in a briefcase? And there is a dog that needs saving but also manages to be a saviour.
Good, fun read.
June 4, 2015
This was an enjoyable read- the story of a woman who has had an affair, lost her job, and is on the run from a lawyer wanting to serve her divorce papers.So far, not all that unusual - until Arkie meets the enigmatic Haruko, who leads her on a pilgrimage through 'big things' in Queensland and New South Wales, in an effort to find and reclaim her mojo.
I found the infused Japanese cultural icons interesting, but the coincidences seemed a bit contrived.The writing itself flows well, with ideas confidently expressed.
I found the infused Japanese cultural icons interesting, but the coincidences seemed a bit contrived.The writing itself flows well, with ideas confidently expressed.
February 19, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It was an entertaining read about trying to rediscover what is most important in your life. Having visited most of the Big Things that are described in this book it was easy to visualise the settings. When you first see a Big Thing they can appear as uninspiring, tacky and pointless but the theme of this book enables the main character, Arkie to gain insight from each of these Australian icons and the author has done this so well.
February 18, 2016
Having visited most of the 'Big Things' in this most magical, beautiful, delightful and unforgettable book made me realise how much I miss the simple delight of seeing the Big Pineapple etc. for the first time all those years ago. I so love the idea of making a pilgrimage and I must admit that seeing my own state as a place of pilgrimage was so much fun.
May 3, 2016
I was a little unsure as I started this book but once I got my head around Arkie and haruko I was pulled in. A beautiful, quirky, creative tale about finding who you are after life splinters. Having grown up traveling the east coast of Australia (and strangely realizing how many 'big' things I've seen) I was connected to both the storytelling, the scenery and the lovely characters. Lovely book.
March 30, 2015
I thought Arkie's Pilgrimmage to the Next Big Thing was great! It was a fun, delightful and entertaining read. It was set in Australia with a Japanese influence & theme. It was about finding things closest to your heart and home.
April 24, 2015
I just love this book. I love the witty, quirky, insightful humour. I love that it's optimistic and uplifting, but not saccharine. I love that it's gentle with an edgy wisdom. A perfect read for any time you need to feel a little more positive about the world.
August 31, 2015
There is literally a quirky inscrutable Japanese spiritual guide sidekick in this story. Struggled to not DNF as a result, despite the rather fun Big Things storyline.
January 13, 2015
if you liked Eat Pray Love then you'l love this...but I found it meaningless, shallow and boring :(
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews