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The Way of a Pilgrim
The Way of a Pilgrim
Oct 25, 2024 6:30 AM

Author:Andrew Louth,Anna Zaranko

The Way of a Pilgrim

By the mercy of God I am a Christian, by my deeds a great sinner, by calling a homeless wanderer of the lowliest origins, roaming from place to place. Here, see my belongings: a bag of dry crusts on my back and the Holy Bible in my breast pocket; that's it.

In 1884 there appeared in Russia a slim volume containing four short tales. They told ofa pilgrim, a lone wanderer, led by his quiet curiosity and a deep spiritual longing to undertake a lifelong journey across the land. A folk hero, a figure familiar from the works of Tolstoy and Leskov, this gentle pilgrim and his simple story would soon travel the world - and would even, much later, traverse the pages of JD Salinger's Franny and Zooey as the 'small pea-green cloth-bound book' that Franny keeps close in her handbag.

The pilgrim's ancient journey takes him from a city monastery through forests, fields and the steppes of Siberia. He walks by day and by night, through rains and summer months, finding food and shelter where he can. Along the way, he encounters priests and professors, convicts, nuns and beggars, a tipsy old man in a soldier's greatcoat, from whom he slowly gathers great stores of wisdom and experience. But at the heart of his journey is his time spent praying as he journeys on alone, discovering the peace and consolation that come of constant prayer and silent contemplation.

Simple and sincere, The Way of a Pilgrim paints an enduring picture of a life of detachment through wandering and prayer. And, as the pilgrim makes his way through the wilds, he invites us to travel with him, along an ancient path into an immense, mystical landscape.

Reviews

Brings the spirit of Zen Buddhism to everyday life . . . 100 snack-size Zen activities you can do daily to add more calm to your life

—— Daily Telegraph

Full of the simplest yet richest rituals to adopt in order to live a long and happy life, this book of wisdom is a soothing balm of peace for anyone living in the busy modern world

—— Psychologies

Does for mental clutter what Marie Kondo has done for household clutter: pare down and simplify . . . A bestseller in Japan, this will certainly resonate with fans of Zen practice, or those simply looking to declutter a busy mind

—— Publishers Weekly

A pretty book to dip into for insights into a Japanese mindset

—— The Tablet

With clear, practical and easy-to-follow lessons - one a day for 100 days - renowned Buddhist monk Shunmyo Masuno draws on centuries of wisdom to show you how to apply the essence of Zen to modern life

—— Eastern Daily Press, Top 10 Books on Mental Health & Psychology

You don't have to be into Japanese Zen Buddhism to appreciate this very prettily illustrated book of concise and nonjudgmental life lessons. It doesn't require long reading times - the bitesize paragraphs are perfect as quick bedtime reading or as an anti-anxiety boost first thing in the morning.

—— Real Homes

Zen is one of the most beautiful books I've bought. I finished reading it with a renewed sense of peace . . . I can guarantee that after reading this, your heart will feel lighter and you'll feel alive with a warm, refreshing energy

—— KeiSei Magazine

Tales of fatal flaws, perilous journeys and shining acts of heroism are told with gusto and young and old will be engrossed. The audiobook is an absolute gem too, read by the author who has a winning way of bringing these epic tales to life

—— Western Morning News

Joyfully informal yet full of the literary legacy. The Greek gods of the past become relatable

—— Guardian (on 'Mythos')

The best thing he's written since his superb first novel . . . entertaining and edifying

—— Telegraph (on 'Mythos')

A rollicking good read

—— Independent (on 'Mythos')

Perfect for the 21st Century. Ebullient, funny, Fry retells the Greek myths with elegance

—— The Times (on 'Mythos')

A wondrous new immersion in ancient stories we only thought we knew. Brilliant, funny, erudite, inventive, surprising and enthralling

—— Richard North Patterson (on 'Mythos')

Fry makes the stories relatable without skimping on the wonderful gory details, or sacrificing the traditional truths of the myth

—— i (The paper for today)

Stephen Fry has created a magnificent book. Humorous, but with serious stories told with wit and erudition. This is a book that will delight readers of all ages. Fry's writing is never less than delightful

—— Moorlander

Fry is a natural storyteller and his lively retellings make for an entertaining read

—— Hannah Beckerman, Observer

The comedian and polymath retells age-old Greek myths in dramatic, modernised style

—— i

One of the nation's favourite intellectuals retells the epic myths of the Greek heroes in his own unique and very enjoyable way

—— Cambridge Independent

Simon Schama takes the reader through a grand sweep of Jewish history, but he makes it so personal you begin to feel you know the men and women whose lives shine out from the pages, and their foibles, and you get a sense of the fragility of their lives and their determination to survive. It's a brilliant piece of work

—— Julia Neuberger, Senior Rabbi, West London Synagogue

Schama's speciality is to take sometimes little-known historical figures and bring them dramatically to life. We are presented with a glittering cast of Jews from every century since the 15th ... Belonging shows Jews as prize-fighters and charlatans, theatre managers and physicians, writers, actors, painters, farmers and musicians. They are men and women of every sort, who leap off the pages as they struggle with what Schama has defined as the abiding challenge of Jewish life in the diaspora

—— Jewish Chronicle

Simon Schama’s epic tale of the Jewish people is full of rich, colourful stories that span centuries and continents and include massacres, miracles, discrimination and tolerance… Passionate

—— Life & Living

In the hands of a master colourist, this is history as a portrait gallery.

—— The Economist

It is an engaging and electrifying read by a skilled literary craftsman, cultural historian and tour guide.

—— Thane Rosenbaum , Guardian

Dazzling.

—— Daniel Beer , Guardian

Schama presents his material with the wit and panache of a novelist. The reader is treated to a dazzling parade of humanity in all its glory and shame. Every page sparkles with rich material and the range of learning is breathtaking. The story of Jewish survival – and sometimes even flourishing – against all the odds is utterly riveting.

—— Rev. Dr. John Harrod , Methodist Recorder

Simon Schama is the perfect companion for a time-travelling journey through Jewish history… A beguiling narrator.

—— David J. Wasserstein , The Tablet

These accounts make such fascinating reading that, through Schama’s extraordinary gift for storytelling, his book was difficult to put down.

—— Anthony Phillips , Church Times

Recounts, one guest per chapter, a number of her interviews with the boldest of boldface figures . . . Entertaining

—— Strong Words

A quick, absorbing read . . . my overriding impression is of rather breathless thoughtfulness . . . her formidable intelligence and self-deprecating awareness shine brightly

—— Times Higher Education

We love the Maitlis

—— Stylist

We're obsessed with Emily Maitlis in this house

—— Nick Grimshaw

Emily Maitlis is a particular hero of mine . . . I know I'm in for a treat with Airhead

—— Gaby Huddart, Editor-in-chief, Good Housekeeping

Emily Maitlis is one of my favourite interviewers and I want to read her tales of interviewing people such as Donald Trump, Theresa May and Simon Cowell

—— Catriona Shearer, Sunday Mail

A fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into modern television news

—— Time & Leisure Magazine

It's a brilliant, often funny, behind-the-scenes account of her working life, written by one of Britain's best television broadcasters. It proves she's far from an airhead!

—— John Craven

She gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most engaging interviews she's conducted in recent years - with all the wrangling, arguing, pleading and last-minute script writing they involved. Insightful, funny and engrossing, we love it.

—— SheerLuxe
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