Where to begin... Kerri Andrews managed to capture the profound transformation of motherhood with such raw honesty and poetic beauty in Pathfinding, that it took me by complete surprise. A beautifully written memoir interwoven with history and landscape writing, Andrews takes us on a deeply personal journey, physical and emotional, as she walks through the complexities of postpartum life, identity and resilience.

At its core, Pathfinding is a story of rediscovery. With the weight of postnatal depression pressing on her, Andrews embarks on a series of walks, questioning whether the freedom of the hills still belongs to her as a mother. What unfolds is a journey of self-reclamation, with a courageous honesty, at times heart-wrenching, yet ultimately hopeful.

One of the book’s most compelling aspects is its connection to other women and those who have walked before us. Through the stories of women like Mary Wollstonecraft and Kate Chopin, Andrews reveals a rich but often hidden history of mothers of walks, showing that the struggle to balance motherhood with personal freedom is not new. These narratives is what makes Pathfinding more than just one woman’s memoir, it becomes a collective story of strength and survival.

She captures the landscapes she walks through with breathtaking clarity, making the reader feel the air, the terrain, and the shifting emotions accompanying each step. How I wish she had included photos!

Pathfinding is an honest, brave, and beautifully written book that speaks to the heart of what it means to be a mother, a woman, and a seeker of freedom. It is a memoir that lingers long after the last page, inviting us to consider the power of movement in reclaiming ourselves. A must-read for anyone who has ever felt lost in the transition to motherhood or who finds solace in walking as a form of self-discovery.

Thanks to NetGalley and Elliott Thompson for the opportunity to read and review this ahead of time!

Such a beautifully written book, Pathfinding is not only for the mothers amongst us but for everyone who values walking as something cathartic and balancing in their lives.
Kerri Andrew’s is a walker but now she is a mother as well and here she explores her thoughts and feelings around her abilities as a mother and as someone who has always walked for pleasure. As she walks through the different terrains in the North West of England and in Scotland she meets fellow women who are often on the same journey as she is herself. Together they compare their stories of the ups and downs that motherhood can bring and learn from each other that things are not always meant to be easy but mountains can be climbed and though everyone is on their own separate journey there are always similarities and a huge amount of help and support through each other.
This book is part memoir, part history book and part nature writing and the three come together with a beautiful balance. I loved it.

Kerri Andrews has written a raw intimate look at her emotional life.She thrives by walking taking us along and her adjusting to her life after becoming a mother her adjustment to her new life’s schedule.As a mother I really related to her story.#netgalley #eliott&thompson.

Pathfinding by Kerri Andrews is a nonfiction memoir that I really enjoyed. The book follows the author, who is deeply passionate about walking, as she embarks on various journeys through the Scottish Highlands. However, the book mainly explores two key themes.

The first part focuses on the author's experience with postnatal depression after having two children in her thirties. She shares how this period caused her to stop walking, along the other struggles she faced in coping with it. The second part highlights the healing power of walking how it helped her regain her sense of self, and ultimately become a better mother.

I chose to read this book because I am a huge fan of walking and enjoy slightly challenging journeys. Plus. the idea of exploring Scotland on foot is something that really excites me. Another aspect I found interesting was how the author puts in examples of other writers throughout history who have written about their love of walking. Overall, I really enjoyed Pathfinding. It made me more aware of the walking journeys I want to plan and inspired me to pursue them even more.

I loved this look into motherhood and regaining who you are after having kids. As a mother I related to this immensely. I liked the paths, literal and figuratively, that she found along this journey.
She didn't really find a way back to herself per say as she is a different person now, but found a way forward.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing is raw and the exploration of past writings from fellow walkers was woven in very well. I wish there were pictures included in the book! The writing was lovely and I bet pictures from Kerri's walks would be beautiful too. This book raises many problematic issues that mothers face when the mothering journey begins. The challenges only get harder to navigate, and, in some ways, the support becomes even less available. This is a really touching and relatable read. Big thanks to the author for her vulnerable work. Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy.

While I liked the trekking experiences and the promoting of walking, which I love and find extremely meditative and empowering, I think this book’s biggest contribution is about being a woman, motherhood, parenting, postnatal life, and finding paths to navigate life.
The author and I have a lot in common, yet she describes many unique experiences, gives the floor to others’ for them to tell their stories and encourages the reader to consider and explore these sometimes more relatable and universal, sometimes unfamiliar stories.

Awesome book… a mix of reflections on motherhood, walking treks in Uk and stories from the past of female walkers. I loved the mix of topics and the intrepid stories from the past of strong female mothers and things they had to endure. Great writing, love to hear more from this author. Thank you to the author. Thank you to # NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

As someone who deals with chronic health issues and cannot be as active as one wants I enjoy the power of walking. Any movement that I can get at a speed that feels comfortable to me is so important. I hope people will read and appreciate the underestimated power of walking