Amanda J. (blackhawkh109) reviewed on 10/9/2010 + 15 more book reviews

I enjoyed this book, and I think I enjoyed it because I didn't expect it to be more than it was. It's not a travel book, it's not a self-help book, it's not even a book about "this is what I did, you should do it too!" This is a story about one woman who was unhappy with her life and, instead of choosing a path that many Americans do (i.e. load up on antidepressants or turn to alcohol, drugs, or sex), she chose to get to the bottom of her problem and learn who she was and change what she didn't like. She exposes a lot of her flaws, but never did I get the sense that she wanted pity, but rather that she was willing to emotionally expose herself to her readers to show that she had a lot of work to do to become a better person. I found her as a woman who had defined herself based on other people that she had lost touch with her true identity and wanted that part of herself back, rather than a self-righteous whiny girl who wanted everyone to feel sorry for her.

This is not a book to read if you want to learn how to better your life or learn all the hot-spots to visit when traveling overseas. Nor is this a book for people who don't want to read an autobiography of a less-than-perfect person (who is more than willing to admit that she is less-than-perfect.) It is not an introduction to spiritual journeys or an Italian cookbook. This is one woman's story about herself and a year out of her life.

And yes, the publisher did give her an advance to take this trip and write a book, but I doubt it was free money. I'm sure that, had she not delivered a book at all, she would have had to repay. Plus, as an established writer prior to this book coming out, the publisher probably felt she was trustworthy. Which, in my opinion, she obviously was.

I loved this book and would highly recommend it to everyone, so long as you don't expect the book to be something it never claims it is.

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