• 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
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (228 ratings)

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The Pants of Perspective  By  cover art

The Pants of Perspective

By: Anna McNuff
Narrated by: Anna McNuff
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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)

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What listeners say about The Pants of Perspective

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

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.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Makes me miss NZ all over again

This was fun. I've read and listened to a lot of ultra running and long distance cycling books, and this is one of the better ones. My only complaint (and I feel bad even saying it) is her shouting during the narration when she is quoting a shout. It is painful on the ears. But otherwise, her narration is upbeat and fun. The book gets better partway through when she gets more real about the challenges and struggles and isn't as pollyanna. Lots of great characters met along the way.

I happened to be traveling in NZ in late 2019 and saw the book (and the pants!) for sale a few times, but only just got around to listening. I wish I'd listened while I was there - it makes me want to go back and do a lot more hiking. :)

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I loved this book

The author reads the book with such enthusiasm and energy I couldn't stop listening. If you liked North by Scott Jurek you will like this even more.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful Narration

Great read! Anna does a wonderful job narrating the story allowing listeners to jog along with her. I highly recommend this book and would read other books by this author.

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Funny and inspirational

Wow! A great story and amazing narrating.
Anna has a way of bringing you along on her journey with honesty, humor and descriptive recollection of events. You do not have to be an adventurer or runner to enjoy this book! It’s really a wonderful story of enjoying the highs in life and pushing through the lows. You won't be disappointed!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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What a great listen!

I hadn't heard of Anna before listening to her other book on pedaling through all 50 states, which was great! Then I wanted to hear more, and was happy to see she had another book on Audible.

She's very enthusiastic and I love a good adventure read with all it's pitfalls and pleasures. Plus when the adventures happen in a country that I don't know as much about, like New Zealand, all the better.

Highly recommended.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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FANTASTIC performance

You will LOVE Anna. Her reading makes this good story great. Good story for runners or people with an interest in NZ.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Grueling journey in perseverance, hilarity, pain

Our bookshelves and IPhones are being swamped with tales of adventures -- a refreshing amount by women, young and not-so-young -- who weave and wander thousands of miles about the world upon their feet, kayaks, skis and boots. This one I can proclaim as a certified favorite; just be aware that Ms McNuff, who records her memoir, will exclaim and proclaim about every minute of her six month journey running New Zealand south to north and in full English voice. An enthusiastic voice and spoken in tones so you will know exactly what she had been experiencing! :-) Be not afraid; it is who she is, she is courageous, hilarious, truthful, grateful and glorious in her vocal hugs of praise for all the Kiwi warmth and kindness with which she is embraced along the way is a decided plus.

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A favorite author

Listened to one more book by Anna McNuff on Audible. A fantastic storyteller and I enjoy her captivating style and witty approach - plus we listeners get to vicariously travel along with her adventures. Recommended highly!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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An enjoyable running, trail and personal adventure

Finishing the book as my own New Zealand travel finishes seemed appropriate somehow. An enjoyable book for trail runners, long distance hikers, and travelers. The story is light on personal growth, if that is what you're expecting, but it actually made for a pleasant listening experience focusing on the trail fun.

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