First published 2000
Italo Calvino's El Camino De San Giovanni follows a lone traveler as he walks the ancient pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago. Leaving behind his ordinary life, the pilgrim confronts the challenges of the open road - blistered feet, unpredictable weather, the passing of time. Yet as he presses on, he finds himself drawn into the living history of the trail, the stories of those who have walked it before. A meditation on the meaning of solitude, the power of place, and the human need for connection, this quiet, contemplative novel invites readers to experience the transformative journey alongside its solitary protagonist.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, adventure, contemporary
Vibes: contemplative, emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: journey, solitary-protagonist
Setting: Camino De San Giovanni
160 pages · Hardcover · Jonathan Cape