“This is no guidebook; this is the real story behind the majestic Camino de Santiago.”
Literary Titan Book Award – Silver Award Winner
Lost and listless on the island of Mallorca, Jamie Draper searches for his estranged wife, Pam, who has left him without any explanation or warning. Exploring her last known location, Jamie stumbles upon an urgent letter from his missing wife promising to explain her sudden departure and her current whereabouts. There’s just one catch. Her confessions are disclosed in a series of letters she’s left hidden along the ancient Camino trail across northern Spain. Now armed with a list of clues to track down the letters, Jamie retraces Pam’s footsteps, while being both entertained and challenged by the many colorful Camino characters he meets along the way. This includes the enchanting Brie, who harbors her own secrets that just might compromise Jamie’s intended reunion with his wife.
Available in ebook and print.
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Simply choose the PayPal/Credit Card option. Or the “John Meyer Books” seller option at Amazon.ca.
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Meyer’s redemptive tale combines elements of travelogue, epistolary novel, romance, and mystery… Meyer has successfully melded ruminations on one of Europe’s most famous pilgrimages with a tender story of loss and healing, creating a lovely tale.
For those who have walked the Francés route, this book will revive memories and refresh some of the history that one has walked through. For those planning on walking, this book serves as a guide to ‘life on the Camino,’ blisters and all. A very enjoyable read.
The book is written in the first person which adds immediacy and Jamie’s acerbic comments about people, places and situations are a delight… This is a solid page-turning read—a lively book with bags of Camino atmosphere and some thought-provoking views of the complexities of being human.
… Meyer’s writing style is fluid and inviting. Describing villages, regional scenery and famous landmarks, Meyer’s knowledge of the setting allows him to guide the reader through the story. The Camino has a character of its own; the sacred trek shapes the characters of those who endure it. As the diverse cast of characters walk, their personal histories meld with the history surrounding them. As a result, it changes the course of their future.
…I’ve watched movies of dubious quality simply because they were set in beautiful locations. I’ve read travel literature which were mostly drab and self-centered. With
Shadows, Shells, and Spain, John Meyer has revived the travel book genre by enticing me to yearn for the experience of tramping for miles and enduring fires of physical and emotional pain to come out purified.
If you love travel and history with plenty of drama told with a twist of humour then this book is for you… Meyer’s descriptive writing gives the reader clear images of the Camino scenery as well as the historic buildings and monuments. You will also feel the pain, the joy and the camaraderie of the Peregrinos (those who walk the Camino) along the route… It was a book I just had to get to the end.
Shadows, Shells, And Spain by John Meyer is a perfect cocktail of travel, adventure, and mystery… The journey to the Camino de Santiago is described beautifully. He evokes visual imagery of the places through his language. Relevant historical details are added to provide context. The pace of the book is just right. It keeps you on the edge of your seat thinking what would happen next…
What a great read. Lots of twists and turns in this terrific novel. Although fiction it brought back lots of memories of my Camino journey in 2014. Not to give the plot away but it’s a love story. Love of the Camino and the love that it gives back. The love of History as this tale incorporates the history of the Camino throughout the book. Love of people and how they support and share their lives as they walk the Camino.
For me, the biggest surprise was how my initial feelings towards certain characters changed due to clever writing from the author – disapproval turned to understanding, frustration to compassion…. Or if, like me initially, you have no intention of tackling the Camino, read this book and I guarantee you will be planning when in your lifetime you will embark on the journey.
Meyer’s own experiences on the Camino and his love of history combine to make this one of the more authentic Camino reads yet… Shadows, Shells, and Spain is most highly recommended.
I read it just before going on the Camino and am now re-reading it. This helps me as I adjust to the difficulties of life and work and wish I was back on the Camino. I enjoyed it.
A great read! The Camino has always been an interest of mine and I know several friends that have hiked it. It’s on my bucket list!… John Meyer had me hooked from the first couple of pages and welling-up by the last page!