Off the Road: A Modern-Day Walk Down the Pilgrim's Route into Spain

The one curious thing about Jack Hitt's book and the later film it inspired is in their different translations of what they're about - the Camino. Hitt's 'The Road' versus Sheen's 'The Way': and that basic etymological difference is reflected in their contents. Whilst several minor background scenes from the film are sourced from the book, apart from that they are completely different. This is no complaint, both are hugely entertaining, whilst neither would bear any relation to the Camino Frances today. 'Off the Road' is Hitt's well observed account of his pilgrimage written about 25 years ago: those days were certainly well into the modern exponential increase both in terms of interest in the Camino and numbers walking - but long enough ago to feel much more pioneering in feeling: pilgrims were still in some places a novelty. But again that is not an aspersion, on the contrary for today's pilgrim or reader, Hitt's book really 'hits' the mark with continual pithy anecdotes and reflections from his walk, which are still relevant now, yet are enhanced by feeling in a sense already historical. Hitt constantly seemlessly combines his own journeying with a wide-raging amount of easily digestible knowledgeable background information. What the book isn't is a boring description of a long walk - no simple guide book: what it is is a highly readable and thought provoking account of what drove him to walk and his thoughts provoked whilst walking. Hitt writes naturally and is naturally amusing about the challenges of being (or not being) a 'twue pwelgwim': along the way he meets many interesting situations and people, some celebrated in Camino lore, but never met or described predictably: his meeting with perhaps 'the' guru of the modern Camino, Fr Elias in O Cebreiro being a case in point! Similarly having read the book any idea of staying in a parador, or of taking the Dragonte variant - will be a definite no-no!Definite recommendation for pilgrim, whether true or not - or equally excellent for armchair traveller too.

This is the book that is referred to in the creits and interviews on the video "The Way". You'll begin to recognises some of the things that happen in the book as they have been shown in the film. I guess pretty soon you feel this was the book that the Irishman in the film writes.My recommendation would be to watch the film AND read the book. I think the book is OK - but a better read or audio book is Bill Brysons walk on The Appalacian Trail. Funnier and more stories to make you think about long distance walking - is it for you?

I will admit, the introduction nearly put me off the book but I am glad I did read the whole thing. Jack Hitt touches upon all you would imagine a walk like this would entail. The physical aspect, the occasional isolation and the wide array of people he met. His style had me smiling, occasionally laughing, thoughtful and at times sad.By far the most interesting aspects of this book are the way he describes the characters (from a Dutchman who journeys in a "brandy educed nirvana", to the gypsie who led them on a wild goose chase) and the history and architecture of the Camino. A must read for anyone who, like me, hopes to one day walk this pilgrimage.

I recently picked up The Third Man Effect (or Factor) published by Cannongate in 2009. Jack Hitt described the phenomenon very nicely and wittily. As a relative "newcomer" to the big walk to Santiago, I have no intention of making the pilgrimage, but am happy to read a "quality" description of events on the walk. The motion-picture The Way with Martin Sheen was losely based on Jack Hitt's account. I've never seen the movie!

Such a good book .

nice writing lovely bits of historynot much about the hardship of the road more about the journeysome items i recognised from watching "the way"worth the money

very nice, arrived on time

This is the source for some of the slightly weird stories that crop up in the movie 'The Way.'. Its interesting, funny, philosophical, entertaining and well written. Witten in the mid 90's, but still relevant.