What do you think?
Rate this book
Beyond Even the Stars: A Compostela Pilgrim in France
Kevin A. Codd's previous book, To the Field of Stars, has been hailed as a contemporary classic of pilgrim literature and introduced a fresh voice to the world of both travel and spiritual writing. In Beyond Even the Stars, the reader is invited to join this peripatetic American priest as he takes up the Way to Compostela, this time in Leuven, Belgium, and follows it south through much of France. His vivid descriptions of the natural world and the people he meets along the way are delightful, just as his profound reflections on life and death, love and faith, God and grace, are inspiring.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2018
6 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 7, 2020
I’m one of those Camino addicts Kevin refers to in his book. I have read 15 or so pilgrim memoirs and his first book “To The Field of Stars was my first and favorite. I found it to be a true and humble account of a pilgrimage. I am a lapsed Catholic and recommend it to others mentioning he is a priest but its more a joirney of a good humble man. That he was a priest was irrelevant.
A few years ago I walked from my ancestral home in the west of Ireland to Santiago so I was excited to read his new book. It was interesting in this writing his being a priest was integral to the story and while I was more interested in his pilgrimage and trials as a man, I was drawn in because ultimately he is a priest and it was HIS Camino.
I was disappointed that his pilgrimage ended early and felt sorry for him especially when he shared his confession in Santiago.
Ultimately it was a pleasure to once more share a Camino with this good man.
PS. Kevin walks 1500k and does not deserve a Compostela and someone who walks from Sarria 110K does. Ridiculous.
A few years ago I walked from my ancestral home in the west of Ireland to Santiago so I was excited to read his new book. It was interesting in this writing his being a priest was integral to the story and while I was more interested in his pilgrimage and trials as a man, I was drawn in because ultimately he is a priest and it was HIS Camino.
I was disappointed that his pilgrimage ended early and felt sorry for him especially when he shared his confession in Santiago.
Ultimately it was a pleasure to once more share a Camino with this good man.
PS. Kevin walks 1500k and does not deserve a Compostela and someone who walks from Sarria 110K does. Ridiculous.
June 3, 2019
Once again, our Compostela Pilgrim Kevin does not disappoint in this follow up to his first book, "To the Field of Stars" that recounts his spiritual pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago, Camino Frances specifically, from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela. I was incredibly moved by his profound experiences along the Way of Saint of James that I couldn't wait to read this follow up.
"Beyond Even the Stars" continues that spiritual journey but this time, Kevin begins in Leuven, Belgium, and heads south along Chemin de Vezelay, one of four primary Saint James pilgrimage routes through France to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. From there, he plans to walk the Camino Frances once again and then continue to the "End of the Earth" or Finisterre.
Through heartfelt reflections so beautifully expressed, we experience this second pilgrimage every step of the Way from the physical strains of daily peregrinations, both the triumphs and the obstacles; to the visual romance of the French countryside; from the unexpected kindnesses of strangers to the unshakable bonds of friendship forged with new fellow pilgrims as well as those from his first pilgrimage. Most of all, we shed a tear through his intimate recollections of days gone by while we also celebrate his love of God.
What moves me most in this book and his first, is the way he perfectly articulates his feelings through poetic prose of such profound beauty. So many moments stopped me in my tracks but there was one, unforgettable experience that filled my heart with love, it was a moment in which i rejoiced for Kevin and myself!
If you're planning to go on pilgrimage along the traditional Camino Frances from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela or plan to start walking from your front door as Kevin has done is his sequel, I urge you to read both of his books before you begin.
Buen Camino!
"Beyond Even the Stars" continues that spiritual journey but this time, Kevin begins in Leuven, Belgium, and heads south along Chemin de Vezelay, one of four primary Saint James pilgrimage routes through France to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. From there, he plans to walk the Camino Frances once again and then continue to the "End of the Earth" or Finisterre.
Through heartfelt reflections so beautifully expressed, we experience this second pilgrimage every step of the Way from the physical strains of daily peregrinations, both the triumphs and the obstacles; to the visual romance of the French countryside; from the unexpected kindnesses of strangers to the unshakable bonds of friendship forged with new fellow pilgrims as well as those from his first pilgrimage. Most of all, we shed a tear through his intimate recollections of days gone by while we also celebrate his love of God.
What moves me most in this book and his first, is the way he perfectly articulates his feelings through poetic prose of such profound beauty. So many moments stopped me in my tracks but there was one, unforgettable experience that filled my heart with love, it was a moment in which i rejoiced for Kevin and myself!
If you're planning to go on pilgrimage along the traditional Camino Frances from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela or plan to start walking from your front door as Kevin has done is his sequel, I urge you to read both of his books before you begin.
Buen Camino!
November 7, 2020
Not quite as good as the first one, I think mostly because of his physical problems which distracted him from the pilgrimage. (I’m not judging, I know I couldn’t have made it past the first bout of tendinitis.) Still a great read. I would like to walk from Lourdes to Pamplona, at least.
August 8, 2020
Lovely companion to his first book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews