Savage Pilgrims: On the Road to Santa Fe [Hardcover]

Henry Shukman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 1996

Much of the American West still remains a clean canvas - a land uncharted, a place where you can live as you please. Even today, New Mexico has all the characteristics of the old frontier, a place where many go to escape the confinements of the cities, to uncover the spirit of the desert and the Indians, or to settle amid the hybrid Spanish-Indian culture. For Henry Shukman, for whom this land has always had a mythical status, New Mexico was the last known residence of his ex-girlfriend. This book charts the odyssey of a young man chasing his dreams, his ghost and his true self.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Shukman (Travels with My Trombone, LJ 4/15/93) embodies a combination of talents often considered unique to the English: he is an intrepid traveler, astute observer, and literate writer. Ever ready for the chance encounter, Shukman has his share of them in New Mexico, where he wanders?sometimes in search of self, other times in search of something simpler. He encounters an Indian shaman, traveling salesmen, and his share of peculiar people as he explores Taos, Santa Fe, and the back country. He has taken his title from D.H. Lawrence's "Savage Pilgrimage," which ended in New Mexico in 1922, when Lawrence concluded his search for a "powerful, pre-civilized culture." Near the end, Shukman muses, "It hadn't occurred to me before, but now I saw a simple design behind the traveling I had done over the years...unwittingly, I had been making a journey right across the Latin world." Traveling with Shukman is as mind-expanding as a moon walk. His is a seamless journey of gentle discoveries. Recommended for public libraries.?Janet N. Ross, Sparks Branch Lib., Nev.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Shukman moved from job to job in England, dreaming of an American nirvana that could enlighten even cynical minds and questing after the iconic dream landscape of New Mexico--celebrated by D. H. Lawrence and numerous others who followed in Lawrence's footsteps. Shukman was still in his twenties when he eventually made his own journey. In fluid, often mesmerizing prose, he achieves polished, captivating portraits of prominent landscapes; and as an astute observer of place, Shukman captures the enchanting excesses of Taos and Sante Fe. He also succeeds admirably in depicting acquaintances who cross his path, though relationships with women do not seem to be his strong suit. Shukman's willingness to reveal his own vulnerabilities does not prevent him from remaining a rather elusive character, in spite of the revelatory intimacies recounted in this incandescent sojourn. Alice Joyce --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd (April 25, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0002551918
• ISBN-13: 978-0002551915
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,891,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ever been to NM? You'll want to go back!!!, March 23, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Alexandria, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Savage Pilgrims: On the Road to Santa Fe (Hardcover)

The writings of the author left a deep impression on me. He writes with a very romantic, extremely descriptive style that allows you to feel what he saw. I lived in NM for 3 years and after reading the book was ready to go back. Mr Shukman did such a great job detailing his journey. He described many of the places I remember from there. I found myself nostalgic for the Southwest. He did such a good job, that I was ready to go back because I wanted to visit some of the places that I had never gone to when I had the opportunity. After you read the book, if you've never been to the Southwest you too will be ready to pack your bags!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Im saving to go..., April 20, 2002

By 

"rose27" (Bucks,England.UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Savage Pilgrims: On the Road to Santa Fe (Hardcover)

I have only just finished reading this wonderful book about Henry Shukman's journeys in New Mexico.My own imagination would take over as i took in all the fascinating landscapes,people and places that the author was sharing with me.Indians and artists,shacks and glorious views from the middle of no-where...The author came across as sensitive and although at times he would feel pulled by fond memories of England,his passion for where he was there and then was so obvious.I now have a passionate dream of my own. To go and search out these places for myself and be inspired by all they have to offer..