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Title: Without Reservations : The Travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach ISBN: 0-375-75845-3 Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks Pub. Date: 12 March, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.71 (58 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Without Reservations, the Travels of an Independent Woman
Comment: I was disappointed in this book. The introduction sounded good, but as I read on I got the feeling that too much was left out of the story...where was the angst over having to leave the trip and return, how did this affect the rest of the trip? How "independent" can one be when "hooked up" with dozens of fellow travelers almost every minute of the trip? How friendly can any one person be to attract that many immediate, intense friendships? Where was the "Pulitzer Prize" writing? The book sounded like a journal quickly jotted down rather than a creative, wonderful story. The small glimpses of Freya Stark's writing, on the other hand, were wonderful. Also, sorely missing was the story of "what happened then...." Did she ever see Naohiro again? How, exactly, did the trip change her life and redefine her to herself? Too many things left unsaid to make the story feel complete. What happened to all the instant, incredible friendships she made along the way? Did she stay in touch with any of those people? They seemed to come so easily and go with such finality in the book that one got the feeling that they served their purpose and were then forgotten until they once again served their purpose as characters in this book. On the positive side, I hope it inspires many unattached women to take a journey of independence.....at home or away.
Rating: 4
Summary: Without Reservations The Travels of an Independent Woman
Comment: This is a delightful book, and I am in absolute agreement with readers who wanted it to go on and on. It is not a travelogue but rather an exploration of people and places which illuminates and enchants. Not an insignificant part of the pleasure is an enjoyment of Alice Steinbach's delicious sense of humor. However, the fact that the author viewed her sojourn in Paris and the other European cities she visited as a very independent act is puzzling. How challenging can it be to live several months in a left-bank hotel in Paris? Perhaps if she had stayed for a period in Bangkok or Beijing, this claim would be more credible. Also, a heavier editorial hand would have helped Ms. Steinbach. Her definition of "memento mori" (remember you must die) in the last chapter is strictly correct but in the context of medieval and renaissance society, where the expression was first used, it meant remember you must die and thus you should save your soul by living a good and virtuous life. This meaning is still pertinent so that her friend, Naohiro, who said "would it not be more useful to say...remember you must live" was, for reasons not recognized by Ms. Steinbach, right on the mark. These are insignificant objections to a book which gave great pleasure to this reader.
Rating: 5
Summary: Beautifully layered tale of travel and life
Comment: I just finished this book and will miss spending time following Ms. Steinbach around on her travels,reading her musings on her life and the world around her. It is a book that will resonate with women who have empty nest. I completely identified with her; having 2 sons myself, 2 cats and terminal wanderlust. She writes so eloquently of how she feels when her children are grown and independant. It's her personal journey to find out how she fits into this new life-without-children. She christens it by taking time off to travel for 9 months alone to discover, who she is, was and who she will become. Even though most people will not be able to do as she did, it does not affect the enjoyment of the book. It is written in a very warm style and you will end the book wishing that in your travels, you will bump into her.
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Title: Educating Alice : Adventures of a Curious Woman by ALICE STEINBACH ISBN: 0375504419 Publisher: Random House Pub. Date: 06 April, 2004 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Miss Dennis School of Writing: And Other Lessons from a Woman's Life by Alice Steinbach ISBN: 0963124625 Publisher: Bancroft Press Pub. Date: October, 1996 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
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Title: Tales of a Female Nomad : Living at Large in the World by Rita Golden Gelman ISBN: 0609809547 Publisher: Three Rivers Press Pub. Date: 28 May, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Extra Virgin: A Young Woman Discovers the Italian Riviera, Where Every Month Is Enchanted by Annie Hawes ISBN: 0060958111 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 02 April, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Passionate Nomad : The Life of Freya Stark by Jane Geniesse ISBN: 0375757465 Publisher: Modern Library Pub. Date: 24 July, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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