What do you think?
Santiago's Guitar
The pilgrimage continues... "A light, vibrant, feel-good tale that should interest anyone with a sense of adventure and curiosity about the wider world." - Kirkus Reviews
The second book in the bestselling Reluctant Pilgrim series from Stephen R. Marriott follows a young guitarist on an epic journey of self-discovery across Spain.
Despite living in a village on the fabled Camino de Santiago, Diego never expected to walk the pilgrimage, but his father's retirement and sudden death changed everything.
Now, weeks later, after stopping en-route and recovering from a fever he's determined to complete his journey and follow his true path to becoming a flamenco guitarist.
But Diego soon discovers that the life of a musician is not an easy one, especially one with no formal training. Madrid beckons, but can he even summon the courage to audition or will he end up drinking too much in the murky shadows of flamenco bars? Should he follow his passion and all the uncertainty that comes with it or return back to the village bar where nothing ever changes.
Perhaps he still has more roads to walk before he can transform? Journey with Diego along the ancient pilgrim routes as he battles with his demons, meet the people he encounters at their own crossroads and feel the flamenco beating in his heart. READERS are already praising the
"Absolutely loved it"
"It's very exciting and I'm inspired to walk another Camino!"
"Such a touching follow up on the original story."
"A stunning story I really enjoyed it"
"Loved it as much as the last and it kept all the lovely spiritual feeling."
"The author is maturing as a writer and the second instalment is better than the first."
This is the sequel to Candyfloss Guitar
The second book in the bestselling Reluctant Pilgrim series from Stephen R. Marriott follows a young guitarist on an epic journey of self-discovery across Spain.
Despite living in a village on the fabled Camino de Santiago, Diego never expected to walk the pilgrimage, but his father's retirement and sudden death changed everything.
Now, weeks later, after stopping en-route and recovering from a fever he's determined to complete his journey and follow his true path to becoming a flamenco guitarist.
But Diego soon discovers that the life of a musician is not an easy one, especially one with no formal training. Madrid beckons, but can he even summon the courage to audition or will he end up drinking too much in the murky shadows of flamenco bars? Should he follow his passion and all the uncertainty that comes with it or return back to the village bar where nothing ever changes.
Perhaps he still has more roads to walk before he can transform? Journey with Diego along the ancient pilgrim routes as he battles with his demons, meet the people he encounters at their own crossroads and feel the flamenco beating in his heart. READERS are already praising the
"Absolutely loved it"
"It's very exciting and I'm inspired to walk another Camino!"
"Such a touching follow up on the original story."
"A stunning story I really enjoyed it"
"Loved it as much as the last and it kept all the lovely spiritual feeling."
"The author is maturing as a writer and the second instalment is better than the first."
This is the sequel to Candyfloss Guitar
- GenresFiction
244 pages, Paperback
Published December 30, 2018
About the author
Stephen R. Marriott
4 books35 followersStephen R. Marriott is an Amazon bestselling author of literary fiction exploring self-discovery, coming of age, and the paths that change us.
His books are for readers who believe the best stories happen when you leave the map behind. Think transformative journeys through unfamiliar territory, where strangers become guides and detours become destiny.
Marriott's own detour started in 2012 when he walked away from London stockbroking to spend a month crossing Spain on the Camino de Santiago. That pilgrimage inspired his debut novella Candyfloss Guitar and changed everything about how he saw the world.
Since then, he's travelled to 50+ countries, collecting stories the way some people collect postcards. His books—from The Reluctant Pilgrim trilogy to his upcoming folklore-driven tale—are inspirational fiction that readers describe as 'armchair travel with soul.'
If you loved The Alchemist, Wild, The Salt Path, The Celestine Prophecy, or Siddhartha, Marriott's books will feel like home.
Join Marriott on Instagram @stephenrmarriott where he regularly spill the tea on his latest travel destinations and the occasional shenanigan.
His books are for readers who believe the best stories happen when you leave the map behind. Think transformative journeys through unfamiliar territory, where strangers become guides and detours become destiny.
Marriott's own detour started in 2012 when he walked away from London stockbroking to spend a month crossing Spain on the Camino de Santiago. That pilgrimage inspired his debut novella Candyfloss Guitar and changed everything about how he saw the world.
Since then, he's travelled to 50+ countries, collecting stories the way some people collect postcards. His books—from The Reluctant Pilgrim trilogy to his upcoming folklore-driven tale—are inspirational fiction that readers describe as 'armchair travel with soul.'
If you loved The Alchemist, Wild, The Salt Path, The Celestine Prophecy, or Siddhartha, Marriott's books will feel like home.
Join Marriott on Instagram @stephenrmarriott where he regularly spill the tea on his latest travel destinations and the occasional shenanigan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 25, 2019
Published at the beginning of 2019, Santiago’s Guitar is the second book in a series that tells the story of a young man who walked the El Camino.
The first time I heard of El Camino was from a Shirley MacLaine memoir, The Camino: A Journey of the Spirit. After that, I read Paulo Coelho's book on the same subject. This is the third book that came to my attention and it didn't disappoint. I loved the gentleness of the author in his storytelling, which is clear yet detailed as well, especially with the settings and the character descriptions.
In the story, Diego walks southward on the Camino until he reaches the seashore. While on the road he stops in Madrid. Although his luck favors him and he does make some money playing his guitar on the streets, he is hesitant to enter and apply to the music school to further his art. If Diego will grow into a more self-reliant and courageous person at the end to make his dream become a reality is for the readers to find out.
The thread of the memories of Diego’s father and Diego's views of him runs through the novel, which I thought was a good strategy on the author’s part to tie together all the specific sketches and people that arrive and pass from Diego’s life because on Diego’s way. These are quite a number of people who make him grow as a human being. Also, kudos to the author for developing each of these characters meticulously but without redundancy and exaggeration. As to Diego, he is a believable character, a little on the innocent and inexperienced side. He takes things as they come, and his only negative is the cigarette-smoking.
The story flows well and is inspirational and entertaining.
The first time I heard of El Camino was from a Shirley MacLaine memoir, The Camino: A Journey of the Spirit. After that, I read Paulo Coelho's book on the same subject. This is the third book that came to my attention and it didn't disappoint. I loved the gentleness of the author in his storytelling, which is clear yet detailed as well, especially with the settings and the character descriptions.
In the story, Diego walks southward on the Camino until he reaches the seashore. While on the road he stops in Madrid. Although his luck favors him and he does make some money playing his guitar on the streets, he is hesitant to enter and apply to the music school to further his art. If Diego will grow into a more self-reliant and courageous person at the end to make his dream become a reality is for the readers to find out.
The thread of the memories of Diego’s father and Diego's views of him runs through the novel, which I thought was a good strategy on the author’s part to tie together all the specific sketches and people that arrive and pass from Diego’s life because on Diego’s way. These are quite a number of people who make him grow as a human being. Also, kudos to the author for developing each of these characters meticulously but without redundancy and exaggeration. As to Diego, he is a believable character, a little on the innocent and inexperienced side. He takes things as they come, and his only negative is the cigarette-smoking.
The story flows well and is inspirational and entertaining.
February 4, 2019
This is the 2nd in a series following Diego on his pilgrimage on various parts of the Camino in Spain. The first was a novella; this is a full novel. Marriott has done a wonderful job of pulling the spirituality of his character into the story with the strangers and others he meets along the way. At the heart of it is music and a desire to live the music of flamenco. The story moves along at a pace appropriate for one walking a pilgrim's route. He is an "everyman" with his own uniqueness, foibles, fears, and uncertainties. As an amateur musician myself, I am looking forward to discovering where music will take him. Good story!
January 22, 2019
Having read Stephen's previous novel "Candyfloss Guitar" I eagerly awaited the follow up. It didn't disappoint. Yet again the evocative nature of his writing stirs the feelings and smells of Spain and puts me right back amongst the olive groves and hills. Since reading both the books I have a yearning to walk the Camino and will be looking into it.
The characters are well written and thought out and there is no lag at all in the writing. It skips along with abandon and sweeps you up with it spiritualilty. I loved every page and can't wait for the next one!
The characters are well written and thought out and there is no lag at all in the writing. It skips along with abandon and sweeps you up with it spiritualilty. I loved every page and can't wait for the next one!
April 25, 2024
I originally gave this four stars but upped it to five. If I read it in 3 days I must have liked it. And I did. I expect I'll read the final book of 'The Reluctant Pilgrim' series.
It's a fine sweep of a tale. My only criticism is that it felt 'bitty' at times as the protagonist moved on from scenario to scenario. But, then, I guess that is the nature of the road trip here.
Inevitably, a book about the Camino de Santiago and Spanish guitar was going to be right up my street! I love Spain too, so I enjoyed immersing myself in a bit of escapism here.
It's a fine sweep of a tale. My only criticism is that it felt 'bitty' at times as the protagonist moved on from scenario to scenario. But, then, I guess that is the nature of the road trip here.
Inevitably, a book about the Camino de Santiago and Spanish guitar was going to be right up my street! I love Spain too, so I enjoyed immersing myself in a bit of escapism here.
March 9, 2019
By sheer coincidence this book is set in the same area I just recently “visited” with Tiggy - (Lucinda Riley’s book, Moon Sister).
Reading about Flamenco dancers and guitarists of that era; seeing the Alhambra and visiting Madrid, Granada, the gypsey caves near Santiago just felt incredibly familiar.
I thoroughly enjoyed walking the Camino with Diego - recommended.
Reading about Flamenco dancers and guitarists of that era; seeing the Alhambra and visiting Madrid, Granada, the gypsey caves near Santiago just felt incredibly familiar.
I thoroughly enjoyed walking the Camino with Diego - recommended.
May 8, 2020
Much like its shorter predecessor, this story is about finding your way towards your true calling, with a healthy dose of “do unto others...” thrown in. It’s a well-written enjoyable read, especially against the backdrop of the Camino de Santiago (more specifically the Camino de Mozarabe, which is part of the overall Camino system in Spain).
June 2, 2024
An enjoyable follow on from the first book in this 3 part series. I am enjoying following the path Diego finds himself on and can understand his frustrations and lack of self-discipline perhaps at times lead him to falter in his quest. I look forward to seeing where this young mans journey takes him. I hope that he will find what he seeks and that it will bring him peace and contentment.
January 2, 2020
Great book!!
This book is very descriptive and I felt as though I was there!!
This book has a
Wonderful theme!!
This book is very descriptive and I felt as though I was there!!
This book has a
Wonderful theme!!
January 8, 2020
It took me to places and pushed me towards my passion, nudging me to write more songs.
Want to Read
February 20, 2019The Fussy Librarian
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews