Neon Pilgrim

By: Lisa Dempster

Narrated by: Lisa Dempster

Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

During a culture-shocked exchange year in Japan, 15-year-old Lisa Dempster's imagination is ignited by the story of the henro michi, an arduous 1,200-kilometre Buddhist pilgrimage through the mountains of Japan.

Perfectly suiting the romantic view of herself as a dusty, travel-worn explorer (well, one day), she promises to return to Japan and walk the henro michi, one way or another, as soon as humanely possible.

Fast-forward 13 years, and Lisa's life is vastly different to what she pictured it would be. Severely depressed, socially withdrawn, overweight, on the dole and living with her mum, she is 28 and miserable. And then, completely by chance, the henro michi comes back into her life, through a book at her local library. It's a sign. She decides then and there to go back to Japan almost immediately: to walk the henro michi, and walk herself back to health.

Brushing aside the barriers that other people might find daunting - the 1,200km of mountainous terrain, the sweltering Japanese summer, the fact she has no money and has never done a multiday hike before - Lisa is determined to walk the pilgrimage - or die trying.

©2017 Lisa Dempster (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

Inspired Easy Listening

This was a very relatable story about overcoming obstacles and fighting past urges to quit when things get difficult. The author and main character of the story is very real about her struggles. I found her journey uplifting and motivational and her voice very soothing.

Story of Discovery

I enjoyed hearing the author talk about her struggles going on her pilgrimage. Well written.

Wasn't sure at first, but glad I got it

I started this book as I wanted something inspirational, and this one sure didn't disappoint! Author starts out the story overweight depressed and generally rather a mess; ends up quite an international success for her achievement.

It helped that she speaks very good Japanese, having been an exchange student on Shikoku earlier. On the other hand, she's vegan, which presents quite a challenge in such a fish-based culinary landscape. I wouldn't say, however, that it's a book about Japanese culture as such directly. Her encounters are with folks along the Route as a pilgrim, rather than a genuine tourist or expat. It's her story of finding herself primarily.

I suppose if I had to find one negative aspect to the story, it's that she certainly seems to vomit quite a bit. So much so that I was near certain she was pregnant. Still, for a novice hiker, and writer, she manages proves the adage: You don't know until you try!

Audio narration came through well, so a good decision not to hire an outside narrator.

Insightful Travel Narrative

A first person account of a young woman's pilgrimage. Very well written, insightful observations about the people she meets along the way, and herself. But, it's not all about herself. The prose is spare and yet precise which has the effect of bringing the reader along for the journey while allowing them to impart their own reactions. I really, really like this book!