Book. Off The Road by Jack Hitt

[vwzoo]

The movie the Way lists the book written by author Jack Hitt's "Off The Road A Modern Day Walk Down the Pilgrim's Route into Spain" is what it's based on. I have read tons of books about the Camino with the books by Paulo Coehlo and Shirley MacLaine which really drove me to walk the Camino. The Way is my favorite Camino movie, and I thought I remembered reading Jack Hitts book. I ordered it, started reading it, and I realized I hadn't read it It's great and it's fantastic to read some of the characters in various forms and their words from the book show up in Emilo Estevez's movie. I am thoroughly enjoying and highly recommend it

 

[JamesGeier]

Jack Hitt's "Off The Road" was the tipping point for my decision to walk the Camino Frances. I too highly recommend it. I also heard an interview with him, and a few quotes stand out:

"One of the cool things about the road to Santiago is that almost any motivation to go ends up being a great one."

and

"You think you went for one reason and you end up going for a whole multiplicity of other reasons and they're all fascinating. And that question never goes away and never gets fully or satisfactorily answered."

which ties in to:

"The motive for walking was to discover the motivation for walking."

Six years later I am still trying to discover truly the motivation for making the pilgrimage. I was named after Saint James, and my middle name, Christopher is after Saint Christopher, a very Catholic name. Many times when people heard that I was named for Saint James, they asked if I knew about the pilgrimage to the cathedral where his remains were interred. So I knew about the Camino de Santiago for many years. In 2015, my mother passed away at 94; she lived a good, long life. On my return flight from the services, the people in the seats next to me were talking about the Camino de Santiago. It was almost as if someone were tapping my on the shoulder saying, "It's time..." So I started researching, read this forum (a LOT), read Jack Hitt's book, heard the interview, and in April of 2016 made my first walk on the Camino Frances. As many of you know, it is difficult to find appropriate words, it was a magical experience. It changes you in subtle ways, and I am reminded of a quote from the late Anthony Bourdain:

"Travel isn't always pretty. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that's OK. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your mind and on your body. You take something with you, and hopefully you leave something good behind."

Thank-you Jack Hitt, and thank-you to all contributors of this forum. Buen Camino!
--james--

 

[RicardoCostaMesa]

The movie the Way lists the book written by author Jack Hitt's "Off The Road A Modern Day Walk Down the Pilgrim's Route into Spain" is what it's based on. I have read tons of books about the Camino with the books by Paulo Coehlo and Shirley MacLaine which really drove me to walk the Camino. The Way is my favorite Camino movie, and I thought I remembered reading Jack Hitts book. I ordered it, started reading it, and I realized I hadn't read it It's great and it's fantastic to read some of the characters in various forms and their words from the book show up in Emilo Estevez's movie. I am thoroughly enjoying and highly recommend it

Yep one of my favorite reads good call!

 

[trecile]

"Travel isn't always pretty. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that's OK. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your mind and on your body. You take something with you, and hopefully you leave something good behind."

I love this quote.

 

[billwerme]

Jack Hitt's "Off The Road" was the tipping point for my decision to walk the Camino Frances. I too highly recommend it. I also heard an interview with him, and a few quotes stand out:

"One of the cool things about the road to Santiago is that almost any motivation to go ends up being a great one."

and

"You think you went for one reason and you end up going for a whole multiplicity of other reasons and they're all fascinating. And that question never goes away and never gets fully or satisfactorily answered."

which ties in to:

"The motive for walking was to discover the motivation for walking."

Six years later I am still trying to discover truly the motivation for making the pilgrimage. I was named after Saint James, and my middle name, Christopher is after Saint Christopher, a very Catholic name. Many times when people heard that I was named for Saint James, they asked if I knew about the pilgrimage to the cathedral where his remains were interred. So I knew about the Camino de Santiago for many years. In 2015, my mother passed away at 94; she lived a good, long life. On my return flight from the services, the people in the seats next to me were talking about the Camino de Santiago. It was almost as if someone were tapping my on the shoulder saying, "It's time..." So I started researching, read this forum (a LOT), read Jack Hitt's book, heard the interview, and in April of 2016 made my first walk on the Camino Frances. As many of you know, it is difficult to find appropriate words, it was a magical experience. It changes you in subtle ways, and I am reminded of a quote from the late Anthony Bourdain:

"Travel isn't always pretty. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that's OK. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your mind and on your body. You take something with you, and hopefully you leave something good behind."

Thank-you Jack Hitt, and thank-you to all contributors of this forum. Buen Camino!
--james--

Thank you James for those great quotes! I'm always amazed how many people don't credit Jack Hitt for the inspiration behind "The Way". I love the fact he (Jack) went back again with his teenaged daughters. And thank you also for remembering Anthony Bourdain ...one of my all time favorite people.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Thank you James for those great quotes! I'm always amazed how many people don't credit Jack Hitt for the inspiration behind "The Way".

Well, an inspiration for the screenplay but from what I've read the inspiration for the film itself came from Sheen's car trip with his grandson, Taylor Estevez (Emilio's son) and Sheen's friend, Matt Clark (Father Frank in the film). See the second paragraph on this National Catholic Register article for example.

Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez Talk About 'The Way'

Camino de Santiago, Conversion and Faith Mark Father-Son Story

www.ncregister.com

 

[jayree]

Hitt walked The Camino again years later with his daughters and described the adventure in the NYT.

Hiking Through History, With Your Daughters (Published 2013)

Crowded quarters, a small crisis and a small miracle are all part of a family adventure on the ancient Camino de Santiago in Spain.

www.nytimes.com

 

[sarahchicago]

I just listened to hitt’s book on audio while walking the Frances this month (well, not while walking- just in the albergues at night). I’m going to get it from the library to read as I fell asleep listening to it each night- missed a lot but liked what I heard.

 

[gollygolly]

While ths is not a comment about Jack Hitt's book, this is about Bradley Chermside's book 'The Only Way Is West', and his walk form SJPdP to SdC. Hugely funny, I highly recommend :

The Only Way Is West

'An inspiring, uplifting, heartfelt and funny memoir that made me howl with laughter throughout. A wonderful read.' - Kevin Hand, BBC ...

www.goodreads.com

I am not in any way connected to the author !