Good Girl's Guide To Getting Lost: A Memoir Of Three Continents, Two Friends, And One Unexpected Adventure (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
This book was a joy to read! It's always a gamble with memoirs because often the writing is sub par, but Friedman's prose is smooth and effortless. She was honest and realistic in her evaluation of herself and her expectations of travel. I truly enjoyed watching her learn and grow as she changed from provincial perfectionist into a worldly traveler. I completely understood her anxious nature and appreciated how brave she was to set off alone. It was fun to read her humorous accounts of how she grew as a person and overcame her fears. And in her descriptions of travel I felt like I was right there with her. I read this book in one sitting because I could not put it down. I completely relate to Rachel's angst because I am also the very definition of a "good girl". I've always worked very hard to fulfill expectations of me in hopes of feeling worthy. I married young, and still love him 32 years later, but I had little opportunity to explore myself as an individual before attaching myself to responsibilities and additional expectations. I raised 3 amazing daughters and that is the best and most important thing I will ever do. Of course there were good times...But there were so many years of money worries, multi-tasking stress, list making, goal accomplishing and anxiety that my good life seriously almost killed me. I have not been in nature enough to re-fill what I have poured out. I now find myself hovering over an empty nest. I'm at a frustrating crossroads and seriously hoping it's not too late for adventure in my life. I desperately desire to travel and experience other people, places, cultures and the beauty of the earth. I'm SO t i r e d of rushing and striving. I CRAVE a backpack and a wandering time with no responsibilities, time-line or destination I have to be. Just freedom, independence, curiosity and discovery. I'm going to make a plan to get out there before it's too late. And if anyone else is reading this I hope to cross your path in the world somewhere.
What do You think about Good Girl's Guide To Getting Lost: A Memoir Of Three Continents, Two Friends, And One Unexpected Adventure (2014)?
Fun book, makes me want to go on vacation. It was a easy book to put down & return to later.
—Evchen
An enjoyable read, but fails to be notable as a memoir or traveling writing.
—Kanduri
