About the Author

Jean-Christophe Rufin (born 28 June 1952) is a French doctor, diplomat, historian, globetrotter and novelist. He is the president of Action Against Hunger, one of the founders of Medecins Sans Frontieres and the second youngest member of the Academie fran aise. He was Ambassador of France in Senegal from 2007 to June 2010. His novel Brazil Red won the Prix Goncourt in 2007.

Reviews

This is an unmissable book . . . a lively story, full of clarity and amusing anecdotes - Le FigaroA real delight. Rufin is at his very best, blending together the things he saw, the people and anecdotes, juggling self-mockery and solemnity in equal measure - Le PointThe Academie Fran aise member has produced a fascinating account of his journey to Santiago de Compostela - LireWalking in Rufin's company is a joy. There is not a second of boredom to be had throughout these 900km and 270 pages, during which we witness his transformation from Academie member and ambassador to celestial tramp - L ExpressFriendly and beguiling ... a masterstroke - SpectatorA wonderful piece of writing, full of perception - of landscapes, people, self - about a journey based on solitude and physical endeavour into an interior world. There's a good dose of chatty demystification and anecdotes that make you laugh aloud. But Rufin can also write in fine lyrical mode, though he never goes on too long about anything - Literary Review