Roads to Santiago

I agree with the other 5-star reviews, and would only add that Ina Rilke's translation is masterful. (I will read just about anything she translates from Dutch into English.)

This is a spectacular book, written by the best kind of travel writer. Mr. Nooteboom's passion for Spain, Spanish art, and Spanish architecture is infectious. I did the pilgrimage to Santiago in September of 2003, and understanding the Camino in the larger context of Spanish history (which Mr. Nooteboom limns so admirably) was invaluable. I don't believe I would have looked for, much less appreciated the Romanesque architecture I saw along the way. Coincidentally, his love of the great Spanish painters Zurbaran and Velazquez inspired me to visit New York for the Velazquez to Manet exhibit. I consider this one of the essential books to read before you set out for Santiago de Compostela. Guide books will get you from A to B. This book will help you understand the importance of A, B, and all the points in between.

first of all, cees nooteboom is a shining oasis in the arid intellectual desert of contemporary travel writing, and secondly, you should let go of everything that makes you unhappy, and set sail tomorrow. the sheer profundity and wit of nooteboom's observations left me, for one, in like total dumbstruck awe, and his seemingly divine ability to translate the most visceral of emotions into words (a medium of communication i had always, up till now, considered inferior) made me feel a little bit the same way i felt the first time i went skydiving. folks, this here is a man who knows how to travel, as well as being a freakin miracle of a writer--and anyone who is capable of firing a sincere philosophic-type synapse will LOVE HIM. also read "the following story," all you existential types out there--he's like a dreamy, colorful Camus, and his prose will make your eyes feel clean for the first time in years.

Very interesting view of selected Spanish history and culture. Superbly written. I have been reading lots of books from Spain and about Spain in the last 10 years, but this is certainly one of the best.

Cees Nooteboom is a well-known Dutch novelist and travel-author. Spain is his favourite country (like mine), he lives partly on the Spanish island Menorca. This book of essays was published in Dutch in 1992 and includes articles written between 1979 and 1991. Nooteboom is a traveller who has a great interest in the history of a country : i.e. in the of case Spain the historical relations between christians, jews and moors. He also has a particalur interest in medieval (roman) architecture. His 'route' is somewhat unsystematic : he does not follow one road, but his travels are full of 'detours' (time and again he is attracted by unwellknown placenames). Nooteboom certainly doesn't limit himself to the typical must-sights'. Sometimes Nooteboom seems to be travelling more in the past than in the present, but his comments on the places he visits are always personal, original,(he avoids 'clichés') proving a deep insight in the roots of Spanish culture. Therefore "The roads to Santiago" is not an easy travel-guide but rather an interesting book to take with you when touring through this country : it's revelation to visit places and read Nooteboom's comments at the same time.