Return to Glow, A Pilgrimage of Transformation in Italy

by Chandi Wyant

In her early forties, Chandi Wyant’s world implodes in the wake of a divorce and traumatic illness. Determined to embrace life by following her heart, she sets out on Italy’s historic pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena, to walk for forty days to Rome.


Weakened by her recent illness, she walks over the Apennines, through the valleys of Tuscany, and beside busy highways on her 425-kilometer trek equipped with a nineteen-pound pack, two journals, and three pens.


Return to Glow chronicles this journey that is both profoundly spiritual and ruggedly adventuresome. As Chandi traverses this ancient pilgrim’s route, she rediscovers awe in the splendor of the Italian countryside and finds sustenance and comfort from surprising sources. Drawing on her profession as a college history instructor, she gracefully weaves in relevant anecdotes, melding past and present in this odyssey toward her soul.


This delightful, transporting tale awakens the senses while inviting readers to discover their own inner glow by letting go of fixed expectations, choosing courage over comfort, and following their heart.

Genres: Travel, Memoir, Italy, Nonfiction, Biography

ebook

First published March 30, 2017

About the author

A world traveler, writer, and historian, Chandi has lived in Asia, the Middle East, and a variety of European countries. She currently lives part of the year in Italy, where she is an accredited guide to Italy's museums. She holds a Master's degree in Florentine Renaissance history and teaches history online as well as leading small specialized tours in Florence and beyond.

Chandi's memoir about her long-distance pilgrimage in Italy is available in German as well as English.
https://www.amazon.com/Return-Glow-Pi...

She has also written a guide to Qatar where she lived for 3 years: https://www.amazon.com/Qatar-Curious....

Website: www.paradiseofexiles.com
Instagram: @paradiseofexiles

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you came across Chandi Wyant’s fascinating memoir Return to Glow: A Pilgrimage of Transformation in Italy, you might note the athletic-looking blonde woman on the cover and think, “Oh, this is a rip-off of Wild,” and pass it by.

You would be missing out on a story that shares the barest of similarities with that oh-so-famous book – “woman heals herself emotionally and spiritually by taking a long hike” – but is absolutely original. Even more, I found this book to be highly engaging, and really uplifting, though, forgive me, I will remain an armchair hiker.

When we first meet Chandi, she is recovering from the emergency appendectomy she had to undergo while on vacation in Italy, a relatively routine surgery that was complicated by sepsis. Back in the states, still healing physically, Chandi is also in the midst of a divorce, and is re-evaluating her life.

A variety of factors, including the sometimes bone-deep chill of Boulder, CO, during a damp winter, sends Chandi on her new mission: she will walk across Italy. Research is begun – are there trails? Are there convenient stops on the most promising route? Finally something connects: Chandi will hike the Via Francigena – the road that connects Canterbury to Rome.

Of course, Wyant’s route doesn’t actually start in England, but at the Italian border – a 40-day hike on this ancient trail, sometimes in solitude, sometimes running into strangers and sharing their stories. There’s time in a convent, and time on the open trail, and the entire story meshes beautifully as the author’s hike leads her, not just to one of the world’s most famous cities, but back to her best self, back to her glow.

In some ways, each chapter of this book felt like a separate essay, but there was still connection. Part travelogue, part memoir, I found Wyant’s writing style to be intimate and conversational, her descriptions as vivid as the photos she takes.

If you read only one “personal transformation” memoir this year, make it Return to Glow. After reading it, I felt closer to my own glow, even without the physical pilgrimage.

Goes well with roasted chicken and vegetables and a glass of wine.

[Lisa Montanaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this memoir! It’s sort of like Eat Pray Love meets Wild—two fantastic memoirs. It’s about a woman who walks Italy’s historic pilgrimage route, Via Francigena, after going through a difficult divorce and a traumatic illness. She takes the reader along with her, meeting strangers who become guides, helpers, and friends. The reader experiences the pain and loss that she sheds along the trail. Her pilgrimage becomes a journey of healing and self discovery, as well as an ode to her love of Italy and the world.

This book really resonated with me as someone who has been to Italy multiple times, has 100% Italian ancestry, and has been to many of the places that the author features on her walk. But you don’t need to have a particular connection to Italy to love this book. Every one of us has experienced pain, loss, and disappointment. Those are universal. And being witness to someone who goes through that and comes out on the other side is inspiring. You root for Chandi to finish her pilgrimage, one painful step at a time!

Brava, Chandi!

[Melisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was touched, educated and inspired by this book. Chandi has a way of describing places in Italy that make me want to be right with her. She is able to see so many details and all the possibilities of a place. We journey through Italy, through time and through her mind as we read. Her insights are deep and accessible. I liked seeing Italy and life through her eyes. Her background in the Italian Renaissance and her wide exposure to literature were evident in her writing. This would be a great book for book clubs.

[Cara Achterberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I'm interested in walking the Way of St Francis, but got so much more than a taste of hiking in Italy. Enjoyed the story and cheered on Chandi, but also got an idea of what it will be like if I ever do it. What a brave woman. I loved her belief that the world is a good place that will take care of you. We all need to believe that.

[Nazarena Simonetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is set in 2009, when the author decided to walk the ancient "Via Francigena" in Italy in order to arrive in Rome.
The memoir is a captivating inner and outer journey and reminds us how to find joy after being at the rockbottom.
It is perfect for those who are interested in female solo travels or want to know more about the medieval route that started in Canterbury and ended in Rome.
It also gives us the chance to follow the challenges that she faced during the journey and to be happy for her final choise of courage over confort.

[Carla Coelho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Home is were the heart is, é um conhecido provérbio inglês. Qualquer coisa como, a nossa casa é onde estão as coisas e pessoas que nos são queridas. Nem sempre a nossa casa está no sítio mais provável ou à mão. A casa de Chandi Wyant é um país, Itália, a que este livro é uma declaração de amor. Um amor que dura há muitos anos e que irá certamente prosseguir, pois neste momento a autora vive naquele país, por escolha.
Este livro tem dois aspectos admiráveis. Por um lado, a autora é de uma grande coragem ao expor a sua vida e os seus medos numa obra que tornou pública. No rescaldo de uma doença grave e de uma separação que evoluíu para divórcio decidiu voltar aos braços do seu amor, a Itália. Elegeu a peregrinação correspondente à Via Francegina, uma antiga estrada medieval que liga Canterbury a Roma, numa caminhada de quarenta dias, sózinha. No decurso da mesma, Wyant faz uma retrospectiva do que foi a vida até ao momento, passando por recordações dolorosas do seu casamento. a sua honestidade é tanta que partilha connosco os momentos em que, estando sózinha, sentiu tristeza ao deparar-se com cenários de harmonia e felicidade familiar que eram bem diversos da sua realidade. Num mundo onde todos querem parecer muito bem todo o tempo, esta é uma atitude admirável. O outro aspecto que me tocou no livro prende-se com a importância dos gestos das pessoas que com ela se foram cruzando. A maior parte foi simpática, curiosa e amigável. É notável a capacidade da autora reconhecer o relevo que pequenos nadas (para os outros) tiveram na sua disposição, desgastada, não apenas pelo cansaço da viagem, mas também pelos problemas que trazia consigo. O que nos deve fazer pensar que tantas vezes algo que não nos custa nada pode significar a diferença para alguém com quem nos cruzamos. Para além disso, o livro está cheio de detalhes e descrições que são interessantes de ler e úteis para quem queria fazer este tipo de viagem ou algo parecido. Foi, pois, uma boa leitura de início do ano.
***
Home is the heart is, is a well-known English proverb. Something like, our home is where are the things and people that are dear to us. Home is not always at the most likely place. Chandi Wyant'home is a country, Italy, to which this book is a declaration of love. A love that lasts for many years and that will certainly continue, because at this moment the author lives in that country, by choice.
This book has two admirable aspects. On the one hand, the author is of great courage in exposing her life and her fears in a work she has made public. In the aftermath of a serious illness and a separation that evolved into divorce she, once again to Italy. She chose the pilgrimage corresponding to the Via Francegina, an old medieval road that connects Canterbury to Rome, in a forty-day walk alone. In the course of it, Wyant takes a retrospective of what life has been up to now, through painful memories of her marriage. She is very honest even sharing with us the moments when, when she was alone, she felt sadness when she came across scenarios of harmony and family happiness that were very different from her reality. In a world where everyone wants to look great all the time, this is an admirable attitude. The other aspect that touched me in the book is related to the importance of the gestures of the people who have crossed with her. Most of them were friendly an curious. It is remarkable the author's ability to recognize the relief that small gestures (for others) had in her disposition, worn, not only by the fatigue of the trip, but also by the problems that she brought with her. That made me think that so often something that costs us nothing can make a difference to someone we meet. In addition, the book is full of details and descriptions that are interesting to read and useful to anyone who wanted to make this type of trip or something. It was, therefore, a good read at the beginning of the year.

[Rich Israel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tale of two journeys, one through the Tuscan landscape and the other through a mental obstacle course as the author seeks to discard painful memories that block access to her heart. She captures the Italian culture and countryside beautifully while artfully weaving in details about what caused her emotional wounds.

Even though I felt (due to my ignorance of European history) that historical discourses interrupted the flow in a few places, I enjoyed her story, her openness, her fortitude to finish her physical and emotional pilgrimage, and her determination to trust her heart and restore the spark she once had.

[Bec Kroegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. By day 3 I was already 50% through the book. It takes a great deal of courage to do what Chandi did and to pick herself up and pull herself out of such a situation.

This book is for anyone who is going through a tough time and wants some faith hat things will work out. It's for Italy lovers, for those going to Italy, for those going through a divorce or tragic illness, for those wanting to do a pilgrimage or those wanting to fin their glow.

Whatever your situation for reading this book, you will not regret it. A capturing and entertaining read and so much more!

[Lucie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Having fixed expectations may block a miracle. If I release expectations daily, it will open me to the unexpected, to possibilities unconsidered, to seeing, as William Blake put it, heaven in a wildflower." ~ Chandi Wyant in "Return to Glow"

Not merely a narrative of self-discovery, this is a love story, one woman's sonnet to a country that has nourished her both spiritually and physically.

And certainly courage was required to write much of that sonnet. All women know that being female carries with it certain challenges in an unsafe world. ("The more I traveled, the more I was a constant intruder into male trenches.") An intense love of that world, and history, coupled with the pioneering spirit of women gone before, inspired the author even as both at home and abroad there were relationship difficulties and health challenges to be navigated. "Non aver paura!" Don't be afraid.

And so she set out, in her forties, following a traumatic illness and the death of a marriage, to walk (solo, no less) partway across Europe—more than 250 miles from northern Italy to Rome—in search of her lost "glow" (the time when "I loved the world and it loved me back"), encountering the usual cast of guardian angel and con artist characters along the way. There are blistered feet and blazing heat, energy bars and pesto pasta. Skinny-dipping in cerulean waters. Frescoes and foot-washing and hole-in-the-floor toilets. Wine and conversation. Monks and nuns and saints.Stereotypes and enlightenment, heartbreak and absolution, all rendered for the reader in strikingly vivid, articulate, and unsparingly honest prose.

Travelers of every sort will find something here. Buona Lettura! Happy Reading.

[D. Renee' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cultured, adventurous and well-traveled at an early age, the author seamlessly weaves her early life experiences with those more recent, revealing what has brought her to Italy, the country she loves like no other.

It’s a very grounded yet inspiring story that takes us through her modern-day experience of an ancient pilgrimage…..all brought on by an acute, life-threatening illness and simultaneously painful divorce process. The day-to-day accounts of her journey are honest, relevant, funny, romantic and sometimes gritty – mostly when describing the less-than-ideal conditions she encounters during the 250 mile walk. Her story is masterfully interspersed with rich historical detail along the Via Francigena, and her style of writing made me feel as though I could easily be right there on the trail with her.

Her thoughtful reflection on her short-comings reveals a strength of mind and heart, which really drew me in to her experience. Her internal struggles are very relatable, and she gracefully avoids becoming a victim of her circumstances (past or present). I love this book and the lessons it contains.

Before reading the final few chapters, I settled in with a carefully-selected glass of Italian pinot grigio, eager to know how the pilgrimage would end. When I finished the last page I found myself torn between tearing up (for her self-discovery) and cheering (for her triumph in completing this journey)…….so I did both!

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Return to Glow, A Pilgrimage of Transformation in Italy
Author: Chandi Wyant

Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 22
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 9/10
Of the 22 readers:
22 would read another book by this author.
21 thought the cover was good or excellent.
21 felt it was easy to follow.
22 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
10 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
22 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
22 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
22 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
‘This is not so much a travel book as a spiritual adventure. I was engrossed.’ Male reader, aged 27
‘Fascinating! But, not only that, it’s well-written too.’ Female reader, aged 45
‘This is about a woman, a little traumatised by life, who wants to find herself. It’s very good in many ways. There’s a good balance between describing Italy and self-discovery; there’s also the courage of the author who is prepared to battle on for 425 kilometers. Very impressive.’ Female reader, aged 65
‘Clear, concise writing style and an interesting subject matter. Even the cover’s fab!’ Male reader, aged 52

To Sum It Up:
‘A story of adventure and self-discovery. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[Italo Italophiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle of this book is “A Pilgrimage of Transformation in Italy”, and it falls in the genre “Women traveling to get over divorce/breakdown/depression/and or mid-life crisis”, within the sub-genre “Travel to Italy”. Actually, the book is less the purported memoirs of a walk along Italy's ancient pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena, and more an autobiography that includes the childhood, adolescence and adulthood of the author, and even background on the author's family.

The writing is educated and well-edited, with beautiful quotes from literature and poetry to illustrate many important points. At times the writing rises to the romantic lyricism of Marlena di Blasi in her famous “A Thousand Days in Venice”. At other times the subjects covered by the author seem less for romantics and more for fans of schadenfreude, or for armchair-analysts. Those latter parts were my least favorite. They always make me cringe and say a silent prayer that the author has at least changed the names of the people she exposes.

As a pilgrim along part of the Catholic religious route of pilgrimage, the Via Francigena, we learn a lot from the author about the places she visits during her ill-conceived trip of healing, which leaves her physically worse off than at the start. Psychologically, she feels she has healed quite a bit through her ordeal, and the time it gave her to reflect critically on her life choices. We are given a front row seat to her ruminations and remembrances. Honestly, too many of them brought back bad memories of my own, so I can recommend the book only to those readers who won't suffer the same upsetting flashbacks.

So what exactly happened to set the author out to conquer her demons and rediscover her lust for life (her glow)? First, she did the very modern-day thing for worldly, well-educated women: she married down. It is such a common phenomenon these days that it is even a major plot element of the popular TV show “Modern Family”. The author belatedly realized her mistake and ended the ten year marriage. Second, she had a near-death experience coupled with a horrific, trauma-inducing stay in an Italian hospital that left her with lasting poor health. (If you have a hospital phobia, as I do, those parts of the book may be unreadable!)

Who comes off badly in the book? Airlines, doctors, the ex-husband, some friends and family, the hole-riddled U.S. social net, and the U.S. jobs market that can't provide secure, good-paying, full-time jobs with benefits for highly educated people. Italy comes off the best in the book. The sections set in Italy clearly show the author's love of the country, the Italian people and the culture. The author admits:

“Learning Italian is the greatest gift I have given myself.”

For Italophiles, there is much to enjoy in the book. You'll need to be a fan of this genre of book, Female Travel Therapy, however, to really enjoy the whole book. This is not a guide to the Via Francigena. This is an autobiography of an Italophile who endured the pilgrimage route, ill-prepared for its challenges, while attempting to jump-start her life. I received a review-copy of this book; this is my honest review.

The illustrated review is on my Italophile Book Reviews site:
http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot...

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story about one broken woman's journey to fulfillment. Worn down by life's often cruel and unrelenting blows, Chand Wyant reveals her inner struggles in an intimate yet entrancing way as she reaches deep into her soul to rediscover herself.

From the outset, each page leaves you wanting more until the reader and the author become one. Her story starts out screaming of hurt and emptiness and finishes with a vibrant joy. Her choice to walk Italy's pilgrimage route as a vehicle for healing and rediscovery was brilliant. She takes you on an unforgettable journey through a country rich with history and culture, as she experiences the simplicity of the italain lifestyle blended with an unquestionable respect for the cultural, historical and gastronimcal wonders that Italy deserves.

If you love to travel, read this book.
If you want to travel, read this book.
If you've ever felt alone and broken, read this book.
If you want to redefine determination and courage, read this book.

[Deseret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir is a sumptuous read for lovers of Italy, travel, and solo-travel, and those seeking hope and solace when overcoming emotional and physical hardships. The author takes the reader along on her journey, sharing the tales of the sojourn, interspersed with many historical, geographical and cultural references. Her passion for Italy, its culture, customs and people are apparent throughout. The story is more than a travelogue, however. Through the course of walking along this symbolic pilgrimage route, the author intertwines much of her personal history; from past relationships, both romantic and familial, to interesting anecdotes from her long history of world travel and explorations. A very satisfying read!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

To rise up from such a debilitating illness , as well as a tough divorce, Chandi decides on this pilgrimage , in spite of whether or not she was ready. Her writing style drew me in immediately, placing me beside her , as if I were there. I was affected deeply by her determination and courage to continue , regardless of the physical pain, extreme fatigue, and her facing challenge after challenge. I had tears often when she did. It is a real page turner,...I had to know what happened each day when she got up to face another day. I can't imagine doing a pilgrimage alone and truly admire Chandi...and celebrated her 'return to glow.'

[Arah Suskia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return to Glow is a story of an inner journey and outward one. It's about confusion and clarity, struggle and hardship, and the growth and insight that can come of it. It's a story of courage and adventure and recovering one's self in the process. The author beautifully captures the particular magic and wonder that reveals itself to a humble and open traveler. If you love travel, adventure, and stories of moving through painful life events to the discovery of something sacred and beautiful, this book is for you. If you can't be on a walkabout in Italy right now, let this book transport you there for a taste of its delights. Enjoy the journey.

[Melisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much I recommended it to my book club. The author is able to explain the pain of her divorce and her life threatening illness with such vividness that I could understand her motivation to go on a pilgrimage. She is articulate and intimate and I felt like I was in her shoes much of the time. We learn about life and we learn about Italy in this book. Her love for all things Italian is beautifully communicated. She notices all the small details in her surroundings and illuminates the history of the towns, the art and the pilgrimage route. Chandi Wyant has written a solid, entertaining and informative book.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This powerful story is told beautifully. The prose is quite engaging. It is the kind of book that you don't want to end. If anyone is looking to read a very human story, focused on overcoming adversity and chasing your dreams, this is it. And plus it's set in Italy, which in itself is glorious. A lovely read with the perfect dose of wanderlust.

[Jenna Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book so delicious, I had to force myself to dole it out in smaller bites -- otherwise I would have devoured it in one night.

Chandi had me hooked with her writing and narrative in the first chapter when she described limping "on both feet." I knew she and I would get along just fine, and I wished for a time machine, to go back and whisper to her, "We're all right here with you. Your readers are rooting for you Chandi. Now, let's get walking!"

The big questions: How can I get myself to Italy and when is the next book coming out?

[Jeni Moretti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. It is one part inspiration, one part adventure, one part personal tale and one part travelogue, but all of it was highly entertaining and touching. Return to Glow is for anyone who has ever wanted to be closer to their true selves, for anyone that is seeking to know themselves better, for anyone looking for a way to move beyond difficulties and find a way to connect with their courageous self. It is also for anyone that loves travel or loves Italy, and wants an insider’s view of the culture.

Chandi’s tale of doing just that resonates for most of us – male, female, any race, any class, any culture. It is a timeless story, as she decides to start her life over (or “reboot” her life) by walking a pilgrimage trail in Italy. She decides, against many odds, to walk the Via Francigena in Italy which leads to Rome. It is an ancient pilgrimage trail, but it is also an ancient and universal ritual – a symbolic passage that has had a renaissance in recent times. Just like her, many of us are hungry for a ritual that reconnects us with ourselves as our societies often separate ourselves from our true nature. She must overcome many obstacles – physical, emotional and practical – in order to start and to finish her commitment to walk the trail. Her experiences remind us of the goodness in humans and the universality of human nature.

Chandi takes us through her physical and emotional transformation in a way that we can all relate to. For lovers of Italy, you will be enthralled with her insightful, sometimes funny, descriptions of Italians and Italian life. Her background as a history professor is an added bonus as she intersperses fascinating pieces of historical information throughout the book.

This book is an adventure of the soul, heart, mind and body. I ended the book feeling privileged to have shared in her personal tale of transformation and inspired to keep getting closer to my own soul.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading Ms. Wyant's book after devouring it while holed up with a bout of the flu. She has had a myriad of life experiences and, as a traveler myself, I felt a certain kinship with her, her travels and her loves. It's not easy to write a book about yourself since it takes introspection to observe your life and open it up for other's to scrutinize. I am also in my late 50's and about to embark on a new life in the EU so this book inspired me to keep moving forward. I think my favorite line from the book was “It had not been domestication where I had thrived. It had been the call of exploration like wild geese, the call of the world with its history, its stories, its secrets.” Really resonated with me and I think it's a wonderful tale for anyone who tries to live her life outside the box that society tends to put us in.

[Nicole Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

@paradiseofexiles Chandi Wyant, my fellow writer in the anthology #onceuponanexpat - today I finished your wonderful memoir Return to Glow. A pilgrimage of transformation in Italy. What a gorgeous read. Beautifully written and had me walking Italy with you on your journey, which was not only a physical trial but an emotional one too. A heartfelt message of putting the past behind you and letting go of what might have been. So glad you found your ‘glow’ again. 🙌🏻🌈☀️#booksofinstagram #memoir #writingcommunity #storytelling #powerofwords #authorssupportingauthors

[Margo Catts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a pilgrimage story because I find that though people have done them since before recorded history, something profound and personal happens in every person that takes one. And when that person writes about it so honestly and skillfully as Chandi does in Return to Glow, and takes us through Italy as a bonus, the result is a wonderful, rewarding read.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captures the woman’s transformative journey across Italy. The author tells a personal story of struggle and her will and tenacity is inspiring. A page turner for sure, however I found myself like a miser not wanting the book to end, and rationing our the last few chapters. It beautifully captures the Italian culture, and will make you hungry for adventure. Highly recommend!!!

[Frederick Gene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the insights about places I've seen in Italy, and those I haven't seen. The larger story behind the pilgrimage provides a context and an unfolding added story. The pilgrimage itself is interesting to me (a friend is currently on the Spain/Portgual version) and I could imagine doing one of them in another life. Enjoyable.

[Debbie Shoulders · Rating 5 out of 5]

In these times a story whose theme is faith seems quite appropriate. After experiencing a divorce and a near death experience, author Chandi Wyant decides to test the faith she has in herself by walking alone for forty days down the Via Francigena, a historic pilgrimage. Throughout the journey, Chandi finds faith in many forms: in the people she meets, the nature around her, the wisdom of her family, the friends who have supported her, and despite no formal religious upbringing, the faith of those who do believe. All of this culminates in the idea that we just have to let go and believe.

In addition to her own growth experiences, Wyant pays homage to Italy and its people. Having experienced my own love affair with the country, I am in awe of writers who are able to capture its essence for those who have never had the pleasure. In an almost sensuous manner, Chandi shares her love of the food, wine, and culture of this magical country.

Now, more the ever, the message of this book is needed.

[Glenn Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually choose one book each summer as a focal point for self-examination and potential growth. In years past I tended to choose biographies about famous persons or some sort of traditional classic literature. This year I decided to choose a new path. So INCREDIBLY glad I did!!! This was an absolutely wonderful and inspiring read. To be honest, I choose it from a random "books on Italy" search in Amazon. While the specific circumstances of the author's story (her divorce and extended illness) were not immediate points of personal connection, the tale of her pilgrimage across Italy as a journey to self-discovery was incredibly appealing. For me personally, the book gained momentum with each new chapter. Many were the times I stopped to prayerfully meditate while recording personal notes and observations in the margins. Highly suspect that this is a book I will certainly revisit at some point. Great read and one that I highly recommend for anyone looking for renewed purpose and life in the aftermath of disappointment and despair!!!

[Jo-Anne Galbraith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem. I have read another Francigena pilgrimage book, but this one is so much more rounded. ( For rounded, read: more interesting and just simply better.) Chandi is fluent in Italian and an historian and relates her conversations with local people along the way, adding a depth of human interest. Interweaved with the pilgrimage are stories of her other travels, and her traumatic illness alongside her divorce, which led to her embarking on the walk. I have never long distance hiked, but it inspired me to buy some hiking poles! If you are not a hiker, but love Italy, its culture, and travel memoirs in general, you will love this book.

[vincenzo cositore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Crisis always provide opportunities to review life and search for new meanings, new pathways leading to new destinations and new constellations of meanings and Chandy looked for for these in the ancient roads of Tuscany where celestial promises abound with pasta, mozzarella cheese and charitable Christian souls. Albeit by far not within the best book range, ‘return to the glow’ is an Interesting book written by an American woman’s perspective interpreting local Tuscan culture mingling with her own woes and interpersonal relational conflicts.

[Bryan Worn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A walk like this is a great metaphor for getting your personal power back

Chandi displays the courage we need for vulnerability. I purchased the book as I intend to walk part of the Via Francigena this year, and did get some tips, but is was the pilgrimage thinking that I found most stimulating. You do not have to be doing a walk to get value from it.