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A review by nickimags
Bliss(ters): How I Walked from Mexico to Canada One Summer by Gail Francis
3.0
I loved Wild by Cheryl Strayed when I listened to it years ago and so jumped at the chance to listen to this memoir, also about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.
I’m a bit of a fantasy hiker, as I although I go rambling on my summer holidays with my family, I really do need my home comforts at the end of each day. I couldn’t, no in fact, I do not want to hike long distances like the author did. I like to think that I would enjoy it, but I know in reality I really don’t like arduous hiking or camping in all weather conditions. I’m a huge wimp when it comes to outdoor activities especially in wind or rain.
I did enjoy Gail M Francis’ exploits as she travels by foot and occasionally by car from Mexico to Canada. I loved her decriptions of the scenery and flora and fauna. She meets rattlesnakes, wild dogs and millions of mosquitoes on her journey. She also meets other hikers who acquire brilliant ‘trail names’, given to them by other hikers based on their personal history or character. The author’s name was Nightingale because she liked to sing as she hiked.
Another aspect of the memoir was the numerous mention of Trail Angels. These are volunteers who will go out of their way to help hikers, either by proving food and drink for free, giving them a lift from one stop to the next part of the PCT, and even opening up their home for a night or two. I loved hearing how the author met these Angels over and over again and exactly when she needed them. It really did show that there is still some good in the world.
I’m going to be completely honest about the narration as I did struggle with it at times. The chapters weren’t obvious enough for me, which was a shame as I do like to know where I am in a book. Also I unfortunately found the narrator Wendy Tremont King a bit monotone at times, with not much emotion where I would have liked it. This might just be me as I can be quite fussy about my narrators.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy memoirs, particularly hiking stories, as there are some lovely anecdotes and descriptions.
Thanks so much to Hope at Tantor Media for my digital copy.
I’m a bit of a fantasy hiker, as I although I go rambling on my summer holidays with my family, I really do need my home comforts at the end of each day. I couldn’t, no in fact, I do not want to hike long distances like the author did. I like to think that I would enjoy it, but I know in reality I really don’t like arduous hiking or camping in all weather conditions. I’m a huge wimp when it comes to outdoor activities especially in wind or rain.
I did enjoy Gail M Francis’ exploits as she travels by foot and occasionally by car from Mexico to Canada. I loved her decriptions of the scenery and flora and fauna. She meets rattlesnakes, wild dogs and millions of mosquitoes on her journey. She also meets other hikers who acquire brilliant ‘trail names’, given to them by other hikers based on their personal history or character. The author’s name was Nightingale because she liked to sing as she hiked.
Another aspect of the memoir was the numerous mention of Trail Angels. These are volunteers who will go out of their way to help hikers, either by proving food and drink for free, giving them a lift from one stop to the next part of the PCT, and even opening up their home for a night or two. I loved hearing how the author met these Angels over and over again and exactly when she needed them. It really did show that there is still some good in the world.
I’m going to be completely honest about the narration as I did struggle with it at times. The chapters weren’t obvious enough for me, which was a shame as I do like to know where I am in a book. Also I unfortunately found the narrator Wendy Tremont King a bit monotone at times, with not much emotion where I would have liked it. This might just be me as I can be quite fussy about my narrators.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy memoirs, particularly hiking stories, as there are some lovely anecdotes and descriptions.
Thanks so much to Hope at Tantor Media for my digital copy.