Hape Kerkeling’s journal of his travels along the Camino de Santiago, I’m Off Then, was the first (and thusfar only) direct account I’ve read of the pilgrimage.

A German comedian who takes life rather lightly, doesn’t enjoy excessive physical activity and is far from a fundamentalist Christian, Kerkeling seems an unlikely candidate to tackle Christianity’s best-known pilgrim’s route. Nevertheless, he paints it as an incredible experience, one that is enjoyable, meaningful and insightful in a real, powerful and completely honest way. He furthermore writes with a clarity and humour that make the book difficult to put down.

This book has left me incredibly excited by the prospects of my own Camino later this year.