In 2017, husband and wife writing duo Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist wrote Two Steps Forward. The novel follows two very different characters, Martin and Zoe, as they set out alone to walk the Camino, the sprawling 2,000km pilgrimage from Cluny, France, to Santiago, Spain.
Martin had just suffered an earth-shattering divorce, and was on a quest of self-rediscovery. Zoe had travelled by herself after the sudden and tragic death of her husband, Keith. As both wayward souls began their physical journeys, they propelled themselves on a spiritual and emotional one too. Throughout the book, Simsion and Buist tapped into the mythic powers of the Camino, using a tried-and-true novel technique of having a character’s literal journey represent an inner discovery. Martin and Zoe bump into each other along the trail time and time again; with each interaction pulling them slightly closer to the unexpected…
Now, three years after life got in the way of their long-distance relationship, Californian artist Zoe and English engineer Martin have an unexpected opportunity to reunite: a second chance to follow in the footsteps of pilgrims in Europe.
This time, they won’t be walking the famous Camino de Santiago to north-west Spain but the less-travelled Chemin d’Assise and Via Francigena to Rome, along the mountainous paths from rural France.
And rather than each setting off solo, they will accompany Zoe’s old friend Camille—who, despite her life-threatening illness, insists she will walk the whole 1600kms to seek an audience with the Pope—and her not-so-ex-husband, Gilbert, who sees the trip as a gourmet tour.
Then Bernhard, Martin’s young nemesis from the previous trek, shows up, along with Martin’s daughter, Sarah, who is having a quarter-life crisis and doesn’t exactly hit it off with Zoe…
This is a wise, witty and wine-filled follow-up to Two Steps Forward. It’s about helping the people you love and knowing when to let go. Figuring out what you really want in life. And seizing your chances, before it’s too late.
Every step of the way, you know you’re in Simsion and Buist’s capable hands. It’s polished, has a lot of heart, and the characters are beautifully layered. For those who’ve read the first book, it’s like visiting old friends. For those who haven’t, this can be read as a standalone (although do yourself a favour and read book one anyway.)
Mostly, Two Steps Onward is about the way… the journey, both internal and geographical. Simsion and Buist know the Camino—they’ve walked it twice and already written one book about it. In a time where I can only dream of such an adventure, this book transported me away.
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