The Good Girl’s Guide
to Getting Lost by
Rachel Friedman (NY: Bantam, 2011) is, alas, a Coming of Age story. Yes, Rachel roams Ireland, Australia, and
South America – mostly in the company of an Australian friend. We end up knowing all about Rachel and Carly,
snippets about their backpacker adventures, and little about the countries they
roam. As a coming-of-age story about
turning 21 – 22, it’s fun and fascinating.
As a real travelogue, a real feel for these countries is a wee bit
sparse.
Rita
Golden Gelman, writer of children’s books turned Road Warrioress, presents a
far more interesting tale of her travels.
Suddenly faced with divorce in middle age, she flees first to Mexico,
then onward around the world. Tales of a Female Nomad (NY: Three
Rivers Press, 2001) is much more than a Coming of Middle Age story, however.
A
true Perpetual Traveler, she often has no home at all. Sometimes she couch surfs or finds homestays
with people she meets on the road.
Others, she rents temporary accommodations, albeit for longer
stays.
But
Rita gives you a more satisfying insight into countries, cultures, and the
humans living within them.
Don’t
expect the same from Rita Golden Gelman’s sequel, Female Nomad and Friends, however (NY: Three Rivers Press,
2010). Here she shares brief tales
written by other Road Warrioresses, along with a few recipes picked up around
the world. The recipes are really
juicy. Some of the tales are more about
World Improvers out to save the world than about countries and cultures as they
are.
Got
any good airplane-reading or while-grounded reading to share?
May
your road rise to meet you!
Ann
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