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Reviews
Where Is She?: Travel to Trauma: One Woman's Journey To Completely Losing Herself by Alyshia Ford
tabibuch's review
4.0
This book really couldn't have come out at a better time, considering recent happenings in the world.
I read it in one go and after I finished, I had to sit and stare at the rain for quite a while.
I have been following Alyshia's adventures on Youtube from the early days and could always relate, as we have a pretty similar lifestyle. Her videos are honest and to the point and encourage you to think outside the box, so I knew the book would be just the same. I remembered many of her stories from the first half of the book from her videos and blog, but absolutely did not see coming what the rest of the book was about.
I was on edge, I cried. And I am so proud. This book is so much more than a travel novel. It should be read by everyone. You are one special human, Aly. Thank you for sharing your story.
Love from a German in Australia.
I read it in one go and after I finished, I had to sit and stare at the rain for quite a while.
I have been following Alyshia's adventures on Youtube from the early days and could always relate, as we have a pretty similar lifestyle. Her videos are honest and to the point and encourage you to think outside the box, so I knew the book would be just the same. I remembered many of her stories from the first half of the book from her videos and blog, but absolutely did not see coming what the rest of the book was about.
I was on edge, I cried. And I am so proud. This book is so much more than a travel novel. It should be read by everyone. You are one special human, Aly. Thank you for sharing your story.
Love from a German in Australia.
georgie_mb's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
This book is by one of my favourite travel YouTubers, and it was amazing, yet heartbreaking to delve into her past.
It feels like two different books in a lot of ways. The first half feels like your classic travel memoir, filled with highlights of her travels around Australia. The second half is around a traumatic event that she experienced whilst out there. It is slightly jarring, but as you get into the second half you really feel for Aly as we follow her through her recovery.
It is truly shocking how many travellers are assaulted - I was lucky to have a good experience whilst backpacking, but so many don’t and it is truly heartbreaking.
The only thing I found with this is that the writing style didn’t really gel with me. I don’t think this is the most well-written book, but I did enjoy it none the less.
It feels like two different books in a lot of ways. The first half feels like your classic travel memoir, filled with highlights of her travels around Australia. The second half is around a traumatic event that she experienced whilst out there. It is slightly jarring, but as you get into the second half you really feel for Aly as we follow her through her recovery.
It is truly shocking how many travellers are assaulted - I was lucky to have a good experience whilst backpacking, but so many don’t and it is truly heartbreaking.
The only thing I found with this is that the writing style didn’t really gel with me. I don’t think this is the most well-written book, but I did enjoy it none the less.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Medical content
celia66's review
5.0
Extremely moving and completely compelling worth reading for all would be travellers
tiffanysmith's review
5.0
I've been following Aly on YouTube and social media for a few years, so naturally, when I heard she was publishing a book, I had to pre-order a copy. I appreciated the honesty in her words. They were authentic and raw. Unlike some online content-creators, Aly has always provided her audience with quality videos, blogs, and social media posts. This book gives you a more in-depth look behind what her life was like at the time and how although it can be life-changing to adventure solo 10,000 miles away from home, it's also a test of your character. I admire Aly for her strength and persistence through one of the most traumatic experiences someone can have.
This book was incredible and very inspiring, showing how important it is to speak out in times of trial. The last sentence of the book has stuck with me: "Because if not you, then who?"
This book was incredible and very inspiring, showing how important it is to speak out in times of trial. The last sentence of the book has stuck with me: "Because if not you, then who?"
dc7's review
5.0
I've been following the PsychoTraveller Youtube channel for 3-4 years and highly anticipated Aly's book.
The book basically consists of two parts. The first half of the book is a recount of Aly's adventures in Australia. It's fun to read and entertaining. The second half of the book is a lot darker as it deals with a very serious incident that happened during Aly's time in Australia. Aly's book opened my eyes to a subject that I didn't know much about before and where I - like surely many other women - had lots of misconceptions about. The book changed my opinion about an important subject matter and I am so glad Aly wrote this book. I hope it will make a difference and help shape our future.
The book basically consists of two parts. The first half of the book is a recount of Aly's adventures in Australia. It's fun to read and entertaining. The second half of the book is a lot darker as it deals with a very serious incident that happened during Aly's time in Australia. Aly's book opened my eyes to a subject that I didn't know much about before and where I - like surely many other women - had lots of misconceptions about. The book changed my opinion about an important subject matter and I am so glad Aly wrote this book. I hope it will make a difference and help shape our future.
betht93's review
5.0
So I managed to read this book in less than 12 hours. It is definitely one of those books you will not want to put down as the story just keeps unfolding, the book also has a great pace where you will not get bored.
paperbackwaffles's review
5.0
I finished this book 20 minutes ago and needed to clear my head before writing this. And I don't know how to write the correct review that it deserves. So please bare with me on this one.
To begin with, it's lighthearted as she tells of the time she shared the toilet seat with a frog she had named Frederick. And declaring every little last thing to make sure she wouldn't get fined or arrested. It goes through the crazy opportunities and the amazing people she had met whilst living out in Australia.
And then she reveals the secret she had kept in the dark.
And how she slowly with time got through it.
It was such an honest and open story.
I don't think this book needed to necessarily have an "it's all good now!" ending. Instead, it has a more "you can do this, we can do this" tone. I know that might not make much sense, but an ending where it's all just dismissed and life is great', I think would have undermined it all. Instead, it encourages others and wants to give them the strength too. Saying, it won't be easy, it's going to be tough and the results might not be the ones you wanted, but it will be worth it to do it for yourself. And for others.
You can see the happiness in her life on Aly's social medias (@Psychotraveller) and how that event hasn't stopped her from doing what she loves most: Travelling. And that's one of the most important messages of the book. Trying to not let one moment define the rest of your life, and define your happiness.
It was tough to read sometimes. And you will have tears. But it's an important story that needs to be read and shared.
To begin with, it's lighthearted as she tells of the time she shared the toilet seat with a frog she had named Frederick. And declaring every little last thing to make sure she wouldn't get fined or arrested. It goes through the crazy opportunities and the amazing people she had met whilst living out in Australia.
And then she reveals the secret she had kept in the dark.
And how she slowly with time got through it.
It was such an honest and open story.
I don't think this book needed to necessarily have an "it's all good now!" ending. Instead, it has a more "you can do this, we can do this" tone. I know that might not make much sense, but an ending where it's all just dismissed and life is great', I think would have undermined it all. Instead, it encourages others and wants to give them the strength too. Saying, it won't be easy, it's going to be tough and the results might not be the ones you wanted, but it will be worth it to do it for yourself. And for others.
You can see the happiness in her life on Aly's social medias (@Psychotraveller) and how that event hasn't stopped her from doing what she loves most: Travelling. And that's one of the most important messages of the book. Trying to not let one moment define the rest of your life, and define your happiness.
It was tough to read sometimes. And you will have tears. But it's an important story that needs to be read and shared.
mariakaned's review
4.0
Without providing any spoilers, I would say this is a fantastic and often painful account of living through a traumatic experience. I also really appreciated how the details pertaining to the event were conveyed - Alyshia didn't go into oodles of detail which I thought was perfect - this was her reclaiming the narrative, and also dictating the narrative/being in control of what was shared. I hope that was a therapeutic process for her.
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