I have read many books about the Camino de Santiago and about pilgrimages in general, both before I headed off to do my own pilgrimage across Spain, and since, as I relive memories of those wonderful experiences as a pilgrim. My Book Corner book this month is a pilgrimage book that is extremely special to me. For reasons that will become obvious, I would describe it as the most special of pilgrimage books.
Photo: shikoko tourism.com
Neon Pilgrim is about one person’s pilgrimage along the Henro Michi, on the island of Shikoku, Japan, one of the few circular shaped pilgrimages in the world. To complete the Henro Michi the pilgrim must visit 88 temples, along with many other sacred sights, where in the 9th century, Buddhist priest Kobo Daishi, is believed to have spent time and trained. Many of the temples along the Henro Michi, often referrred to as Shikoku88, are in mountainous areas, and are very challenging to reach.
Image: henro.fr
This book is extra special to me, and I ask that you please allow me a ‘proud Mum’ moment. The author of Neon Pilgrim is my daughter, Lisa. This book is her memoir of walking Japan’s Henro Michi in 2008. I remember when Lisa announced to me that she was going to do a pilgrimage in Japan. It would be a walk of 1200 kilometres, and she would walk every day for 55 days. I was shocked, as Lisa, at the time, wasn’t a big walker. This was one of the last things I would have expected her to do, but I have never doubted Lisa’s abilities, so saw no reason to do so this time. I was totally confident that Lisa would complete her pilgrimage, regardless of the difficulty.
Neon Pilgrim by Lisa Dempster
I share this book, not to brag about my daughter, (well….just a bit), but because most of my friends here, show an interest in my pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, whenever I post about it, and I really think they may be interested to know that my daughter did a much more challenging pilgrimage than mine, and wrote what I think is a great book, about it. Of course I think it’s a great book, and of course, I think it’s the best book that’s ever been written.
This edition, published by Ventura Press, in 2017, is the second edition of Neon Pilgrim. The first edition was published by an independent publisher, quite soon after Lisa returned from Japan.
I do find it difficult to write about this book, as thinking about it brings up many emotions for me from feeling extremely proud, to very profound sadness. So instead of me writing about it, here is the back cover blurb:
“During a culture-shocked exchange year in Japan, fifteen year old Lisa Dempster promises herself to one day walk the Henro Michi, an arduous 88 temple Buddhist pilrimage, through the mountains of Japan’s Shikoku Island. When thirteen years later, Lisa finds herself depressed, on the dole and living with her mum, she decides to go back to Japan immediately: to walk the Henro Michi and walk herself back to health. Brushing aside the barriers that other people might find daunting – the 12oo kilometres of mountainous terrain, the sweltering Japanese summer, the fact she has no money and has never done a multi day hike – let alone by herself – Lisa is determined to walk to pilgrimage, or die trying.
Told with refreshing warmth and humour, Neon Pilgrim is a deeply inspiring story, with fascinating insights into Japanese culture and the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage”. – blurb
A little about Lisa’s literary career from her publisher:
“Lisa Dempster has been Director and CEO of the Melbourne Writers Festival and the former Director of the Emerging Writers’ Festival, where she founded both the Digital Writers’ Conference and EWFdigital, an innovative online programming stream.
Lisa has pioneered online literary programming in Australia and in 2012 she curated Future Bookshop, a National Gallery of Victoria studio exhibition, which explored how Australians will be reading, writing and publishing in coming years. Lisa is a professional writer and editor with five book titles, including travel memoir Neon Pilgrim, and was formerly Publisher at indie outfit Vignette Press, where she created The Mook subcultural journal”.
- Publisher: Ventura Press (August 1, 2017)
- Length: 320 pages
- ISBN13: 9781925384956
A long walk for mental health – Patricia Karvelas interviews Lisa Dempster
This post is linked to Denyse’s Life This Week
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Wow! Just wow! I love books like this & will add it to my list. Your daughter is an inspiring woman.
Thanks Jo. I had no expectation of anybody buying this book, my post was just a matter of interest. Perhaps Lisa should sign me up to the marketing department 😂
Oh Jen, this is so special! I love the words about your daughter’s book, you must be so proud!
Very proud Deb. Thinks for popping in again. Pleased you enjoyed reading about Lisa’s book
You have every right to have a “proud mum moment”; I’ll definitely order this book. If she’s anything like her mum, I know it will be a fabulous read!
Lisa’s experience was much more of a struggle than mine was Sue. With my bias I think it’s a good read
Well I’ve just ordered two copies, one for me and one for a present for a friend who’s lived in Japan and I know would find it a good read.
You’re amazing Sue. I hope you enjoy it.
Amazing achievements by Lisa: Walking 1200 km and writing her memoir. I listened to the interview. Thank you Jennifer for sharing Lisa’s book. I’d like to read or listen to it. #lifethisweek
Thanks Natalie. Lisa’s book is available as audio on audible narrated by her, and free with a free trial.
Your pride in Lisa’s accomplishments (the journey and book) are certainly warranted Jen and it sounds like she’s got a fascinating work background as well.
I wondered what you meant about feeling sad. Is it because of the travel situation at the moment, and how much life has changed? Or her absence at the time?
Deb the feelings of sadness refer to the place Lisa was in at the time. She was suffering severely with depression. I also found it difficult to read about how badly she suffered physically.
This sounds like a great book! Your pride in your daughter is so warranted. It must’ve been such a challenge for her, especially given her suffering with depression, to accomplish this pilgrimage and the book. She’s an inspiration! #LifeThisWeek
Thanks Astrid. It definitely was a huge achievement for her. Thanks for visiting.
OH wow! What a proud mama moment. It sounds like a fabulous book as I just love memoirs.
Thanks Joanna. Yes proud mum here
Wow. Wow to you for sharing and wow to your daughter. Sharing a relative who is an adult’s story must have been something you spent some time on…permissions and so on.
I had no idea of your daughter’s story and her life related to writing. Proud Mum moments left right and centre, here Jennifer.
Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. Next week, the optional prompt is Time. I hope to see you link up again. Warmest wishes, Denyse.
Denyse I was very careful about what to include and what not to, due to privacy reasons, but did feel the need to share this book
What an inspiring and talented daughter you have – no wonder, you’re proud and rightfully so! Adding this to my To-Read list!
Thanks Sammie. And thanks also for visiting again. I appreciate you taking the time to pop in