Signs of the Times 3

When I finished it I turned back to the start and read it again. Its a bit like "Wild" but without so much of the back story and the journey of recovery is centred on getting and staying sober. I love reading people's stories of walking the big walks and I am trying to get and stay sober. I live in the UK. This book could have been written just for me. Writing style is a personal thing. I really enjoyed the laid back easy going style together with some of the hard driven conviction to assert oneself as needed to love and protect ones' self. "Person Irresponsible" must be an irony or a nod to the past as the author is anything but irresponsible in my mind.

It’s a long time since I read a book that makes full use of the English language, and what a book! The first bit had me feeling emotional, followed by involuntary snorts at various points throughout. (I can make a good guess why a fellow hiker preferred to walk knickerless). It was interesting to read about the 12 Steps and the author’s relationship with alcohol. I don’t know if other readers found this but I could relate to the 12 steps and other experiences in my life and how they can help. There was an amazing depth of self-insight and awareness on the author’s part with no edges to her character: someone who I feel would be good to have as a friend. I felt quite privileged to be part of the journey that PI shared with us. What an inspirational woman and with such determination to do something and not give up: plus so self-deprecating in the way she went about it. It makes me wonder what she’s planning next?

This was delivered yesterday and already I cannot put it down. It's one of the best books I've read for ages. I'm approaching 60, drink too much am overweight (for my size) and am planning to go off next year and travel in our camper van. Life is too short. This book completely inspired me and I loved the writer's style, wit and language. I went online to look at the amazing photographs and was slightly disappointed not to learn the writer's identity, she certainly did not look 'fat'! I respected her wish to remain anonomous and admired it. I hope that Person Irresponsible does some more adventures and writes about them again! A huge new fan!

A very well written account of a long walk that had me both envious, incredulous and howling with laughter throughout. This brought back so many memories of my 800km Camino. I lived all the highs and lows with you and loved every moment. I still don’t know why I chose to do the Camino - Maybe just because it was there and I could! I truly get the “finding yourself” bit after sudden and unexpected life changes and I am in awe of your achievements both for completing the trail but also for your sobriety. It’s reawakened the adventurer in me and now I need to go off and do a long walk. Keep on doing what you’re doing. I think you’re amazing!

Oh, I so loved this book and couldn't put it down. The author has a great wit and beautifully describes her physical journey, her surroundings and the people that she meets. Not only this, she talks about her own personal journey, and that is a privilege and a pleasure to get such insight into someone's life, so I thank you PI :). I will likely read this again as there was so much to absorb. I want to do a long cycle trip in the US and this is fuelling my desire. Please do write again. Whatever it is about, it will be a winner.

Written with wonderfully honest language, this book could almost end up in the Self Help department. Person Irresponsible takes us on a long, and at times lonely, walk up the West Coast of America. Inter woven with totally seeable descriptions of the mountains and valleys, the woods and deserts, and especially the tent condensation and variety of loo choice, I really felt I was on that walk. I loved meeting all the people she came across on the trail. The leaving of them, and the finding of them again further down the road! Apart from anything else, it's funny, and her self depreciating chatter also takes on the huge subject of Alcoholism and her tandem path to recovery. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's a gem.