I'm Off Then: Losing and Finding Myself on the Camino de Santiago

I'm Off Then: Losing and Finding Myself on the Camino de Santiago

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Editorial Reviews

I'm Off Then has sold more than three million copies in Germany and has been translated into eleven languages. The number of pilgrims along the Camino has increased by 20 percent since the book was published. Hape Kerkeling's spiritual journey has struck a chord.

Overweight, overworked, and disenchanted, Kerkeling was an unlikely candidate to make the arduous pilgrimage across the Pyrenees to the Spanish shrine of St. James, a 1,200-year-old journey undertaken by nearly 100,000 people every year. But he decided to get off the couch and do it anyway. Lonely and searching for meaning along the way, he began the journal that turned into this utterly frank, engaging book. Filled with unforgettable characters, historic landscapes, and Kerkeling's self-deprecating humor, I'm Off Then is an inspiring travelogue, a publishing phenomenon, and a spiritual journey unlike any other.

Customer Reviews

Good, light read

Reviewed by Mark, 2010-02-10

This was the first in a series of (now) four books I read on the Camino de Santiago. It was a light, entertaining read emphasizing the more secular view of the Camino experience. If you're preparing for the pilgrimage (either spiritually or logistically), I'd look for a more informative work ("The Path is Made by Walking" or "A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago" or "Walk in a Relaxed Manner"). I'd still recommend this work for anyone considering the pilgrimage or simply wanting to know a bit more about the Camino. The author is a professional comedian and brings that talent to his writing making it an enjoyable read.

save your time and money

Reviewed by J. Becoming, 2010-01-19

I'm fifty years old and an avid reader of all categories of literature. This is the fifth book in my lifetime I have chosen not to finish. It is insubstantial, and neither insightful nor humorous. It may aspire to be anything it wants, but has achieved nothing. Save your time and money and read something else.

good read

Reviewed by noel, 2009-12-07

I had been planing this pilgrimage for 13 years had read the books been through the area by car.
This is the best book I read to give the experience of the trip, too many of the books tell of the writer not knowing why they are going at the beginning of their trip, during and after it was done. His was the most enlightened book if not the most enlightening as to what you see, should bring etc. Finally took the trip two weeks after reading it wish we had been on the road together.
Noel

Close personal and humerous insight of German Comedians experience along the Camino Santiago pilgrimage

Reviewed by J. Howe, 2009-11-09

I read the German version of this book since I am considering mountain biking the Camino Santiago. Hape Kerkeling is a famous German comedian about my age. Since I moved away from Germany in 1985, I didn't really know of him. So, this was my first impression of Kerkeling. The book is very well written...funny and very personal. It gives a great account of Kerkelings experience and thoughts, and describes how the pilgrimage allowed him to "find himself" and reflect on his entire life and career.
He made several friends along the way, of which two ladies really made the whole experience and book come together in a neat way.
I purchased the book for my friend who will hopefully join me on the trip next year.

I'am Off Then: Whining and Finding Hotels on the Camino de Santiago

Reviewed by HMMMMMM, 2009-10-30

Very easy read...I have walked the Camino twice and ran into many Germans who talked about this book. When I saw it was translated into English, I bought a copy, read it in an afternoon and went HMMMMMMM. Somethings should not be translated.