My Pilgrims Heart

My Pilgrims Heart

 

The amazing story of Stephanie Dale's trek from Rome to Istanbul with her son, Ben. Their pilgrimage was through Italy,the Balkans, Turkey and the Middle East.

At 48, Stephanie Dale took time out from her marriage to walk with her son from Rome to Istanbul.

"There were three things I walked on my journey from Rome. I walked the geographical landscape, allowing myself to meet the world and her people, the earth and its forces: the sunshine, mountains, wind and ocean. I walked the inner world, as within so without, exploring how the world before me mirrored my thoughts, beliefs and prejudices. And I walked my marriage."

My Pilgrim’s Heart is an extraordinarily honest narrative that explores the timeless issues of sex, money and power in a marriage. For even though Stephanie left her ‘young and troubled’ marriage behind her, in reality it was with her every single step of the way – a much more significant weight than the 20kg she lugged on her back.

This book is an uncommonly bold exploration of the relationships between women and men: between husband and wife, between mother and adult son, between a woman and the masculine world, between an Australian woman and the men of different cultures she meets on the road, West to East.

The book is also a compelling voyage into the unnamed fears that shape our world:

"Two words became the hooligans of my heart: Kosovo. Landmines. They were Bonnie and Clyde to my Texas backcountry. Even though I continued to entertain fantasies about walking through Italy, deep in my bones I knew Ben would choose the Balkans. I wanted the romance of the road. He hankered for the know-you’re-alive unknown."

Intelligent, tender, courageous and skillfully written, this book will engage your spirit and capture your heart.