Rite of Passage: Tales of Backpacking 'Round Europe [Paperback]

Lonely Planet (Author), Lisa Johnson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2003

From the company that kick-started the trend, a funny, touching and mad collection of first-time European backpacking experiences that bring new life to a well-told tale.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Lonely Planet brings its customary panache to this collection of true tales' -- San Francisco Chronicle

Product Details

• Paperback: 199 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1740595939
• ISBN-13: 978-1740595933
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #526,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ryan Forsythe is a writer, editor, teacher, artist, and dad. Originally from Cleveland, he now lives in Southern California, though he calls the mythical State of Jefferson home.

He studied creative writing at The Ohio State University, completed a Masters degree in Teaching Writing at Humboldt State University, and is currently working on his MFA in Creative Writing at San Diego State, where he also serves as Assistant Editor with Fiction International. Ryan writes short fiction, novels, travel stories, family history, personal essays, children's books, and the occasional poem.

He is the author of "Dick Cheney Saves Paris: a personal and political madcap sci-fi meta- anti- novel," published by Love Earth Publications on 8/30/11 (the same day the world welcomed Cheney's own novel--er, memoir), and also "The Little Veal Cutlet That Couldn't," a children's book for adults.

Ryan's short story "Virgo Moon" was nominated for the Pushcart Prize by the Heat City Literary Review. In addition, his writing has appeared in Bananafish, Escaping Elsewhere, Jersey Devil Press, Murky Fringe, NFG magazine, and several travel anthologies, including Rite of Passage: Tales of Backpacking 'Round Europe (from Lonely Planet), Italy from a Backpack, and Travelers Tales Turkey. His art has appeared in Mandala Journal, Porter Gulch Review, Toyon, and Streetcake.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!, October 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Rite of Passage: Tales of Backpacking 'Round Europe (Paperback)

The stories in Rite of Passage are full of passion, hunger, and searching, and that which is found is not always what is sought - it's not a book about finding the best spots to hang out, but instead discovering interesting places in the human experience.

Packaged as a travel book, Rite of Passage is really a collection of literary pieces. Ms. Johnson has an eye for tales with both heart and wit.

This book is for people who are truly alive, not some old betty wanting to prolong a Disney moment. Nor is it for the emotionally constipated, as evinced by one other reviewer.

Rite of Passage is the best book to come out this year! Anyone who gives it less than five stars is just not used to backpacking.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tells it like it is, November 15, 2005

By 

Michelle Millum - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rite of Passage: Tales of Backpacking 'Round Europe (Paperback)

I purchased this book 4 months after returning from my own lengthy backpacking trip. Within the first few essays I was in tears. It so perfectly captures the experience of traveling abroad that it immediately made me wistful for my own trip, even the stressful and absurd parts. I disagree with the idea that these are cliched or second-rate depictions of teen-angst, and as someone who's been in many of the situations described, I can only say that it's clear that anyone who thinks so has not actually taken a backpacking trip. Somehow it never boils down to the museums and monuments you saw, but you look back fondly on the late night sitting in the courtyard of your hostel with 4 strangers drinking wine and telling stories.

This book is a must-read for anyone who has taken this "rite of passage" trip. You will find yourself gasping for breath as you alternately laugh in recognition, or cry in wistfulness. For those who love to travel or are considering a trip, definitely read this book, but I might recommend waiting until you get back, as your appreciation will be much deeper.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars !!!!!! 10/10 ... 100/100 .... 110%/100% !!!!!!, September 26, 2003

By 

Eva (Melbourne, Vic AUSTRALIA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rite of Passage: Tales of Backpacking 'Round Europe (Paperback)

Rite of Passage is the #1 most enduring, breath-taking travel book of the year. As it is not based on only one authors opinion, there are a variety of authors telling their stories in different ways. The authors arent ancient either; the oldest author in the book would probably be 30, so all the youth can relate to and laugh about what funny things they get up to. The content of the book is fabulous, u can really feel what is happening to the person throughout the story. The mixed emotions that u develop throughout the book makes u laugh, gasp, ponder and cry. Ive always had a passion for europe (since im italian myself) yet Rite Of Passage extended my knowledge and love for this great continent. Once i had finished the book, i passed it onto my uncle who had travelled through europe many years ago and he is almost on the edge of crying, as he can relate to and remember all these backpackers stories and how europe had affected himself. Thrills, novelty, emotions; Rite Of Passage has it all.
I rate this book 10/10 .... 100/100, 110%/100%. For anyone planning to travel to europe, is searching for some motivation to travel or for someone who just has a passion for the best continent in the world.