Travel
Europe
![Andrew McCarthy - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B008HTE0NO.jpg)
Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain
An intimate, funny, and poignant travel memoir following New York Times bestselling author and actor Andrew McCarthy as he walks the Camino de Santiago with his son Sam.
When Andrew McCarthy's eldest son began to take his first steps into adulthood, McCarthy found himself wishing time would slow down. Looking to create a more meaningful connection with Sam before he fled the nest, as well as recreate his own life-altering journey decades before, McCarthy decided the two of them should set out on a trek like few others: 500 miles across Spain's Camino de Santiago.
Over the course of the journey, the pair traversed an unforgiving landscape, having more honest conversations in five weeks than they'd had in the preceding two decades. Discussions of divorce, the trauma of school, McCarthy's difficult relationship with his own father, fame, and Flaming Hot Cheetos threatened to either derail their relationship or cement it. Walking With Sam captures this intimate, candid and hopeful expedition as the father son duo travel across the country and towards one another.
When Andrew McCarthy's eldest son began to take his first steps into adulthood, McCarthy found himself wishing time would slow down. Looking to create a more meaningful connection with Sam before he fled the nest, as well as recreate his own life-altering journey decades before, McCarthy decided the two of them should set out on a trek like few others: 500 miles across Spain's Camino de Santiago.
Over the course of the journey, the pair traversed an unforgiving landscape, having more honest conversations in five weeks than they'd had in the preceding two decades. Discussions of divorce, the trauma of school, McCarthy's difficult relationship with his own father, fame, and Flaming Hot Cheetos threatened to either derail their relationship or cement it. Walking With Sam captures this intimate, candid and hopeful expedition as the father son duo travel across the country and towards one another.
Editorial Reviews
"McCarthy shares exquisite details of their surroundings, providing historical context as they leave France's Pyrenees, journey through Spain's Basque Country, cross the areas of Pamplona, La Rioja, Leon, and Galicia, and end in Iberia a month later. Along the way, they face weather extremes, blisters, the love triangles of fellow pilgrims, and McCarthy's own fears of being exposed to his son as deficient in his abilities and knowledge. The process of the two connecting over time is heartwarming and relatable. . . A sweet gem of a tale that will appeal to McCarthy fans and those who appreciate a challenging journey."―Library Journal
"I greatly enjoyed this father-and-son saunter for its fractiousness and sulks, exasperation and blisters, and ultimately its harmony and resolution, proving the saying solvitur ambulando-‘it is solved by walking.'"―Paul Theroux
"McCarthy's depiction of the rewarding endeavor of walking the Camino with his son is both worthwhile and entertaining."―Booklist
"I greatly enjoyed this father-and-son saunter for its fractiousness and sulks, exasperation and blisters, and ultimately its harmony and resolution, proving the saying solvitur ambulando-‘it is solved by walking.'"―Paul Theroux
"McCarthy's depiction of the rewarding endeavor of walking the Camino with his son is both worthwhile and entertaining."―Booklist
Readers Top Reviews
EchoFinnoula RyanLQ
For Sharing your trip, your thoughts, your relationship and an amazing story . It felt like being there with you , except that my feet don’t hurt!
G
A funny and relatable book I read in two days! I found myself wishing I was there on this external and internal journey. Im a big fan of travel novels and this one is my new favorite. Cheers to Andrew!
Michael Dunston
I thought I was going to be reading just a travel book about the Camino, and it sure was that, I felt like I was walking along side them. But it’s so much more too. It’s emotionally honest and full of insights, it’s intimate and universal, it’s sometimes funny as hell. It’s about the journey of life.
J.K
I liked Andrew McCarthy the best in Pretty in Pink. I read one of his other books so I was eager to read this one. It’s touching, honest account of his trek with his son across Spain’s El Camino road, a journey McCathy made over 20 years before. I think father and son bonded because the experience afforded them the chance to really get to know each other on many levels. Getting closer to your son is always a good idea.
AMO
Amazing read. Candid and very honest exchange between Andrew and his son Sam. Their journey makes this a fun, insightful read. Recommend It Highly!
