I loved this book. If you enjoyed The Salt Path, you will for sure love this. Additionally, this really appealed to me because of all the botanical information and how the author was able to weave that into his description of his walk and adventure. A lovely journey and a very enjoyable read!

Walking the Camino de Santiago rewards a gardener with the history of Spain through its native plants. A fascinating look at nature and the gardener himself.

Part diary, part travelogue it was a riveting and very interesting read. i loved the observations about plants and how the author shares her experience of the Camino de Santiago.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

“It started with a beautiful piece of music. I had been invited to have dinner with my friends Dan and Carol at their home in Calgary, Alberta, and the stereo was playing the most exquisite violin concerto I had ever heard. I asked Carol what on earth we were listening to. “This is Oliver Schroer,” she said. “It’s his ‘Camino’ album.” I had never heard of either Oliver Schroer or the Camino. That was how it began.”

A conversation ensued as Penner had no idea who Schroer was or that the Camino was a route that many have taken.

The Camino De Santiago (The Way of St. James) is said to be Spain’s oldest trail and it is known as one of the most popular Christian pilgrimages in the world. For over a thousand years people have travelled this majestic and historical Camino. It is said to have started when the remains of apostle St. James were discovered by a farmer in Galicia, Spain. Travelers from all over Europe came to see the remains along the same trails which are traversed today. Each year, hundreds of thousands walk this ancient path to the city called Santiago de Compstela.

The author records his backpacking odyssey in the form of a travel journal, which I found engaging and refreshing. For his delightful, descriptive writing, his knowledge and passion for all things botanical and his detailed observations and often wry sense of humour regarding the hostels he stays in and his fellow travellers, Penner’s 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓 deserves no less than five stars.

Lyndon Penner grew up in Saskatchewan and comes from a long line of gardeners. He is a traveller, environmentalist, and lover of literature, and the author of several books, including 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒀𝒂𝒓𝒅.

A huge thank you to @NetGalley and #TheUniversityofReginaPress for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Prior to reading this book I had not heard of the Camino de Santiago. I enjoyed learning about this pilgrimage and it was interesting discovering it from the POV of someone who was excited to note the plants along the way.
I think this book has a little something for everyone; at the very least, it’s something different to read. If you have the least interest in the Camino de Santiago or botany then this could be a hidden gem for you.

This is a well written sort of garden/travel memoir. Perhaps I should have read it in the dead of winter when I could not spend hours in my own garden, but I found myself wandering off and had a hard time continuing on with it. This is not the fault of the book but rather with my literary appetites during the time I had it. It will be enjoyed by those who love gardens and travel.

While the Camino de Santiago is one I have read and heard about for years. This time, a Canadian gardener goes on the journey. Less for a religious pilgrimage and more on the flora along the way. If you enjoy travel books with a new perspective then I highly recommend this book. Fun read.

What a lovely book! As a thru-hiker and a gardener I could relate to this book in many ways! I appreciated how the author weaved in the plants he saw along the way and some of the historical and botanical context to them as well. This view is not one most folks who read long distance journey books will normally see and it is a nice diversion from the typical thru-hiker fare.

3.5 stars. This account of a Canadian gardener and environmentalist on the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage was sweet and simple. Penner’s love of plants is contagious and his descriptions of the natural world were wonderfully vivid.
I oscillated regularly between wanting to give this 5 stars and 1 star; the unfortunate reality is that the only thing Penner seems to know how to write well about is plants, so anytime he tried to write about something else, I found myself losing patience and interest. However, his discussion of the flora, fauna, and landscape were truly excellent! As this book is about a gardener’s perspective on the Camino, I think it did what it set out to do and deserves a decent rating. It sparked no great revelations, but it is no small feat to keep a reader riveted by plants and landscapes she has never seen before for the length of an entire book.
The Way of the Gardener is a lovely spring read (and it has redoubled my determination to one day walk the Camino myself!).

The author undertook the famous pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago. This is something that I always dreamed of doing, so I was really looking forward to reading this book.
Much more than your typical travelogue, Penner concentrates the majority of the book on the plants that he observed along the walk. And he REALLY loves plants! At times I felt I was walking along with my college professor and his Plant Identification class. Like my professor, Penner finds interesting tidbits about every plant he comes across. And describes them very well, in an easy, conversational manner. You can learn a lot from this book!
I also liked the author's insights into his own personality. He enjoys his own company, feels a bit uncomfortable around others, and has some definite strong opinions (especially about smoking). Even though I got the impression that he could be a bit of a curmudgeon, I still think that I would enjoy walking with him.
A good read.

The Way of the Gardener is a lovely recollection of the author's pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago. Due out 27th March 2021 from the University of Regina Press, it's 180 pages and will be available in paperback format.

The author is a well known garden writer/podcaster/expert with a deft and sure voice in his writing. This is more philosophical and travel based than practical (there's no advice here how to get rid of spider mites or when to prune cherry trees), but nevertheless, it's written in a down to earth practical style which I found both accessible and appealing. He talks about his preparation for this massive (800km) journey in an endearing manner - his sticker shock over $250 hiking shoes had me nodding along in sympathy, for example.

I enjoyed this gently written, philosophical, slow-paced book over several days. His descriptive prose is basic and unvarnished. There's a distinct lack of flowery or overwrought language. I heartily recommend it to readers who enjoy travel journals, philosophical musings, and nature writing. The book is accompanied by delightful illustrations of flora and fauna along the way as well as small asides on the history and significance of plants and places along the way. Although not personally religious, the author takes care not to disparage the faith or feelings of his fellow pilgrims, which was nice.

Four stars. Very well written. This would make a great gift for fans of travel and nature writing.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

The way of the Gardener By Lyndon Penner is an amazing book. It reminds us its not just about the journey its about the friends we make along the way. Going along a spiritual journey through the old trail among coming de santiago there is a lot to see and think about. Nature in a biblical sense, how it nourishes the soul and spirit. Going through each town and seeing the different things it has to offer. Thinking about the biblical stories and nature. The miracles part really touched me. How people wronged ended up getting these amazing miracles. To trek on foot and see all these site all these historic biblical places spiritually for life long nurturing. To wonder how each little thing got to each little town.

It was really touching the journey the people and the experiences. Sometimes its the little things in life, we forget.

This Arc was given to me by Netgalley and NYU Press in exchange for an honest review. Really good food for the soul. The illustrations are also gorgeous.

I enjoyed the Way of the Gardener as he travels through the Compostello de Santiago! I felt like I could be there walking right beside him as he travels through the Spanish country side. His diagrams of the flowers and fauna as he moves from the north along the trails was very interesting. I was disappointed that there wasn't as much of a spiritual nature to the walk. I can't imagine doing that and not having some kind of experience of the Supernatural. I have been to Santiago de Compestello and found that I was really moved by the area and the pilgrims that we met. I did not do the walk, but wish I were younger so that I could.

All in all, I guess I was a little disappointed in the authors reactions to his fellow travelers and the places they were pensioned at during the "walk".

Even though I was somewhat disappointed, I would still recommend this book as a good read.

A journal account of the author's experience of walking the Camino de Santiago trail across northern Spain. This is essentially a Christian pilgrimage that spans 800 kilometers and take about 6 weeks to complete. The author is a gardener and focuses on the plants he encounters along the route - figs, olive trees, almonds, evening primrose, oak trees and grapes are just a few of the ones that are described in detail. Some of the plants are illustrated with line drawings. He also discusses the physical challenges of the journey as well as some of the colorful characters that accompanied him. Food is also a highlight (some good, some bad) as well as the negative aspects (sleeping in groups, public restrooms and dealing with cigarette smoke). This is a pleasant read with interesting insights about the nature and flora of the region.

Love writing by gardeners who can write? Or a simple book about a magnificent trek?

I enjoyed this read very much - thanks to the nature lovers at NetGalley for the chance to read an advanced copy of this lovely little blossom.

I enjoyed this book, accurately described as focused on nature, very much. It is a quick read, generally fun and light-hearted with a couple darker moments. If any sternly religious people (like a few he met on the walk) read it, they’re likely to be offended.

For others, it provides a great introduction to the experience of the walk which took him about six weeks to complete. There are descriptions of meals and hostels along the way (and the chicken church), but the deep emphasis is on the plant life he encounters—fig, almond, olive, oak, chestnut, grape, and many more.

The advance e-copy I read did not include all of the book’s illustrations, but the ones which were included were lovely. I look forward to seeing the actual book when published.

Thanks to NYU Press and NetGalley for an early review copy.

I would so like to walk this trail! How exciting to see this book by someone who did- and is a gardener to boot! This book such a pleasure to read. Written in journal form, it is so detailed with places the author, what was seen, experienced... It was sheer joy to read and imagine walking the path myself! There are various trails and I think this one started in France. I loved the descriptions of the plants and wild life they encountered on the trail. I am so sorry I didn't think to keep such a detailed journal of my trip to Europe yeas ago. I think this is how a journal should be written. Lots of details! liked the drawings in the book, but wish it could have included some photos, as well. But over all, a lovely book! Anyone wanting to walk the trail should read this book. Make a fine gift, or keepsake, too!

*This book was received as a free advanced reviewer's copy from NetGalley.

Penner and a friend decide to tackle the Camino de Santiago, a hiking trail commonly done as a religious pilgrimage. For Penner it is a chance to get away, reflect, and enjoy the flora and fauna along the trail, which, as an avid gardener is one of the main draws.

The book itself is in journal format, with Penner giving accounts of certain trail lengths and the encounters, food, and lodging along the way. Additionally, he describes a cast of fellow travelers who often are on the trail at the same time. This book is definitely not a religious journey for him, it's more a hike in the wilderness broken up by funny or meaningful anecdotes with the goal of completion of the trail instead of religious awakening.

I thought the writing style was smooth. There's a few cliche'd jokes in the beginning that made me groan a bit, but overall he has a very approachable voice. Especially when it came to plants. The short descriptions and encounters with the different plants of the trail was almost too short for me. I would have loved for him to go on and on in great depth on them (some he does), especially all the edible plants that were encountered. But that's the whole book, quick, light, and interesting.

I'm not sure I'd ever hike the Camino myself, but this was a good way to sink in to the idea of the trail, without committing too much time or seriousness to the matter.

Review by M. Reynard 2021

4.5

This is simply a beautiful little book written by a gardener from Saskatchewan. He learned about the Camino from a friend and, somewhat impulsively, agreed to accompany her on the 500-mile pilgrimage. Although he may have agreed to the trip impulsively, he carefully prepared by buying appropriate footwear, etc. for the trip. Embarking on the journey, from the start the author makes clear that there is no religious impetus for him to walk the Camino as he is quite non-religious by this point in his life (although he does acknowledge a certain spirituality). That said, he is not like so many others, non-religious themselves, who disparage and denigrate the faith of others. In fact, throughout the book, the author gives a fair shake to religious belief, often adding little details of one or another plants, etc. that have a religious significance. I must say I learned quite a lot in this regard. An example is his commentary on ivy and holly. Evidently, in earlier Christian times, the black berries of the ivy represented sin, whereas the red berries of the holly represented the blood of Christ. Examples such as these were sprinkled throughout the book.

The book is written as a diary of sorts with the daily legs of the journey documented by date and portion of the trail walked (there is also a map in the beginning of the book). Penner describes in detail the various trees, flowers, vegetables, etc. that he encounters each day and often illustrates particular plants with black-and-white drawings (at first I thought the author drew these himself, but he did not — the pix are in the public domain). I’m not particularly interested, in general, in plants, but Penner brought their stories and their histories to life and I found the book difficult to put down. Interspersed with the descriptions of what grows along the trail, are stories of fellow pilgrims he meets along the way, humorous anecdotes, historical details of the towns he passes through. It is not difficult to imagine walking the Camino alongside Penner and experiencing all the smells, sights and sounds.

What makes this book work is that it is not just another memoir of hiking the Camino, but adds another dimension with the inclusion of the author’s personal reflections — almost always beginning with thoughts about plants, but sometimes ending up with commentary about quite different subjects (history of various plants — did you know there acorns/oak trees have been around since at least 4000 B.C.? Or the story of the chickens in the cathedral in Santo Domingo?) In this sense, the reader can imagine himself in Penner’s head as he racks up the miles. Throughout, Penner is respectful of all, mindful that others have their own reasons for hiking the Camino, no less significant to them than his reasons for hiking the trail.

4.5 Stars

The author, Lyndon Penner, is a gardener, environmentalist, and wanderer who grew up in Saskatchewan and, like many, has loved the natural world his entire life. This is the first book of his that I’ve read, but there are several others that he’s written.

A year or two ago, I read Timothy Egan’s book where he follows the Via Francigena on foot, walking from Canterbury to Rome. For Egan this journey was more about conflicted feelings about the Catholic Church, as well as the looming death of his sister-in-law. Penner’s journey began when he visited friends for dinner, and the stereo was playing the most exquisite violin concerto he’d ever heard. Oliver Schroer’s Camino album. A conversation ensued as he had no idea who Schroer was or that the Camino was a route that many have taken. A journey that for many it is a Christian pilgrimage, but not for all. At just under 500 miles, it is not even an easy route, and even though he trained for it beforehand, he still had difficulties along the way. He suffered from shin splints, was ill, the places they stayed weren’t always the best and the same could be said about the food, at times. But the scenery, the views from all around for eight hundred kilometers, the plants, the trees, the wildlife, so much to see - this is what seemed to really feed his soul.

From the early days preparing for this trip, figuring out what ‘stuff’ to pack and how much to bring, as well as physically preparing, this shares much of Penner’s thoughts and his life before this monumental trek along with his friend, but some lovely passages on the plants and wildlife he encountered along the actual, often grueling, trek. His encounters with locals, the food, the atmosphere, good and not-as-good, along the way. The beauty outweighs the not-as-beautiful, although he has some occasionally grouchier moments when he is in pain, ill, or simply can’t sleep due to the others also along on this walk. There are moments touched with a simple reverence, and many, many more where his sense of humour shines through, and others still where he artfully shares his lovely descriptions of the plantlife, the trees, the places they travel through along with the places they stay, and always the scenery and often the culture along with the local residents.

I enjoyed being able to journey alongside Penner even if it was only virtually. This was a gift, this sharing of his journey. He made it come alive so beautifully, along with a welcome sprinkling of humour now and then.


Pub Date: 27 Mar 2021

Many thanks for the ARC provided by NYU Press / University of Regina Press