The Pants of Perspective

One Woman's 3,000 Kilometre Running Adventure Through the Wilds of New Zealand

By: Anna McNuff

Narrated by: Anna McNuff

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

"A thrilling, coming-of-age journey that will make you yearn to go on your own adventures.” (Runner's World)

Anna was never anything like those "real" runners on telly - all spindly limbs, tiny shorts, and split times - but when she read about New Zealand’s 3,000-kilometer-long Te Araroa Trail, she began to wonder...perhaps being a "real" runner was overrated. Maybe she could just run it anyway?

Travelling alone through New Zealand’s backcountry for 148 days, she scrambled through forests, along ridgelines, over mountain passes, along beaches, and across swollen rivers. Running up to 52 kilometers in a day, she slept wild most nights and was taken into the homes and hearts of the Kiwi people in between.

The Pants of Perspective is a witty, colorful, and at times painfully raw account of a journey to the edge of what a woman believes herself to be capable of. It is a coming-of-age story that will lead you on a roller-coaster ride through fear, vulnerability, courage, and failure.

For anyone who has ever dreamt of taking on a great challenge but felt too afraid to begin - this story is for you.

©2017 Anna McNuff (P)2018 Anna McNuff

Critic reviews

"Beaming with limitless ambition, positivity and enthusiasm." (Women’s Running)

Great Audible book

Fun story. I'll be listening to this again. I enjoyed the narrator's voice as well.

Exhilarating Escapades with Plucky Brit!

Anna McNuff, had done it again! She ensnared me with her exuberance in "50 Shades of the USA," and spurred me to get back to biking (thanks!). And, now, she's taken me on a run (I. Don't. Run.) across New Zealand on the Te Araroa Trail where danger, snorting laughter and philosophical musings make for a mixed travelogue stew of adventure. She's thrust herself out in the wild, primitive camping with bars of chocolate for dinner, or 'remembering' civilization by staying with warm-hearted Kiwi families and soaking up local culture and food. It's a joy to see her ponder and mature as she treks solo in the bush. It's the difficult journeys which provide a perfect petri dish for good growth, as Anna's found out. Give it a read!

Happy read

Absolutely loved it! Anna delivers a delightful story of her journey with such a great perspective and humor! Very inspiring too!

highly recommend

absolutely loved this book! love that Anna read it herself and love her enthusiasm. she's one badass woman and a fabulous storyteller.

What an adventure!

I loved every minute of this book and the author as well. A delightful account of one of the most spectacular places on earth!

awesome storytelling

the journey sounded incredible, and Anna's narration made me feel her excitement (and trepidations...) I looked forward to each time I had the opportunity to listen.

Upbeat, good energy, good vibes - 4/5

I’m from New Zealand and I like running. So I expected to like this book. For the most part, I thought it was really enjoyable. It’s a light-hearted read which left me feeling good about my home and my people. The author did a really good job of narrating with tons of energy and enthusiasm too.

All of that being said, I was hoping for more trail/running talk and less focus on the author’s long-distance ‘does he love me?’ narrative. Also, the pronunciation of some Māori place names did my head in a little bit (but that won’t affect most listeners) though I accept that it’s a foreign language to the author.

Overall, I enjoyed listening to this book and I’d recommend to others interested in a light-hearted read/listen about New Zealand. You definitely do not need to be a running fan to enjoy this book.

Great listen

A really inspiring, entertaining book, and really fun narration. I love how her personality comes though with gusto. I've listened to it a couple of times, and will definitely pick up her next audiobook when it comes out!

Breathtaking and utterly charming

I loved this book. At times I felt like I was running right alongside of Anna even though I am not a runner. She has the gift of describing events with crisp joyful clarity even when they are terrifying! Thank you Anna for sharing your adventure with such openness to both your physical struggles and emotional pain. You tell a great tale.

Cosy story for adventure loving women!🥰

Sooo inspiring and fun, never wanted the book to end!
I actually recently went to NZ “on a whim” and one (major) inspiration was this book! And I’m planning a 10 day x 10 km trail run with a small backpack. Not near Anna’s challenge of course, but we’re all on different levels ha ha!

Anna: Please continue your adventures and stories! Love!