Rite of Passage: Tales of Backpacking 'Round Europe

by Lisa Johnson and Lonely Planet

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. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1740595939
• ISBN13: 9781740595933
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Tells it like it is

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.

Good for getting in the mood

This collection of personal tales is a very fun read. The stories are full of wit, hilarious happenstances, and generally good times. There are a few traveling insights and tips, but mostly this book stands to put you in the mood to make some memories of your own or to relive some of your best ones. I myself will be backpacking through Europe next year and can't wait to endure some of the trying times and enjoy the laughs that these travellers had.

cheaper than airfare!

I spent some time studying in Germany during my high school years, and falling in love with Europe got me to cough up the money to go back their on my own. Freely running around in a foreign country is so enchanting that it was difficult to come home, and I think the book's ability to capture these little moments of travel bliss are what makes it so wonderful. It's more than just "teen angst abroad," as one reviewer described it. The essays aren't all written by kids, but also by Lonely Planet's professional travelers, and reducing the culture and experience to "teen angst" would be like summarizing the Bible on a post-it note.

Great!

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.

Great book!

Rite of Passage is one of the best reads I've had in a long time. The stories within its covers are very well written, and are very encouraging stories (mostly). Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down.The stories touch you in such a way that it inspires you to want to go backpacking through Europe as soon as possible. At least, that's what it did for me.The stories are beautiful stories about young adults' travels through Europe, sometimes needing to find a job while there to be able to keep going. The stories are written by many authors, so there is quite a diverse writing style. The editor did a great job in tying in the Lonely Planet backpacking through Europe messageboard, giving even more personal stories through message board posts.All in all, this book is a great read for those of you wishing to go somewhere. It really opens your eyes to the feelings of backpacking. What it does NOT do is what the technical books do. This is not a how-to book. If you're looking for a how-to book, I'm sure there's a similar book listed that is.