Call of the Camino commences as an account of a walk along the Camino Frances from the French town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, at the foot of the Pyrenees, to the shrine of Saint James at Santiago de Compostela and then on to Finisterre, the westernmost point of Spain. Something of the history of the Camino is recounted, as well as various of the myths, legends, and miracle stories which have over time become attached to the Camino and which have since the Middle Ages given special meaning to this itinerary. The creation of Camino lore, however, is by no means at an end. The next strand to be woven into this work is an examination of the personal myths - the stories which we tell ourselves about ourselves - and the processes through which present-day pilgrims on the Camino may come to rewriteA" those stories. All manner of pilgrims, from all corners of the world, and for a great diversity of reasons, continue to be drawn to the Camino. The miracleA" associated with today's Camino, for the author of this book, is how many of today's post-modern pilgrims, whatever their backgrounds or expectations, will come to consider the pilgrimage afterwards as having been one of the defining experiences of their lives.

Table of Contents

ROLOGUE 1) GETTING GOING 2) LEARNING THE ROPES 3) FIND YOUR OWN WAY 4) SHIP OF FOOLS 5) HEROES OF SPAIN 6) OLD STAGERS 7) FORGIVE YOURSELF 8) COSAS DEL CAMINO 9) DRIVING OUT DEMONS 10) TENDING THE SOUL 11) MOUNTAIN OF JOY 12) EMBRACING THE SAINT 13) EMBRACING THE SELF 14) THE END OF THE WORLD EPILOGUE

About the Author

Robert Mullen holds a B.Sc.( in computer science) and an M.Ed. (in computer-assisted instruction.) He has worked as a programmer/analyst, high school teacher and university lecturer. His short fiction has appeared in literary journals in North America, the United Kingdon, and Spain; a collection of his stories published in Canada was short-listed for a Commonwealth First Book award.

Reviews

"Many pilgrims return from the camino with a desire to write and publish their experiences along the way - most fail in that endeavour for being unable to convey a sense of the aliveness of the journey. Robert Mullen brings a lovely blend of humour bordering on 'Chauceresque' irreverence, but it always feels relevant and authentic. As he nears the end of the journey he realizes that, 'never before had I lived life so intensely.' Now that's the result of heeding the Call of the Camino and if you hear it through these pages - don't forget to respond as it might be the most important wake-up call of your life - don't go back to sleep." -John Brierley, author of The Camino Guides "In this book, the camino 'calls' the reader with three interwoven voices: personal experience, history and an anthropological perspective. Well-written (nothing is redundant), well-researched and extremely readable, Robert Mullen has a rare gift for presenting conversation and conveying, very subtly, essential information about foreign terms and concepts without being either pedantic or condescending." -Alison Raju, author of The Way of St James: Pyrenees- Santiago-Finisterre Edinburgh Ramblers' Robert Mullen described his life changing experience on discovering the Camino de Santiago, the pilgrim's route from the Pyrenees to the Atlantic coast of Spain it's not a guidebook but a highly personal exploration of the myths, legends and stories associated with the famous trail, since it was first embarked upon as a strict religious undertaking in the middle ages. Andrew McCloy Walk Magazine On his journey from the foot of the Pyrenees to the westernmost point of Spain, the Robert Mullen comes across many other pilgrims - some of whom become new friends. It is their stories and anecdotes along with old legends, impressions and thoughts that he put together in this beautiful book. Whether you plan on walking the Camino or are simply looking for an entertaining yet informative piece of writing, Call of the Camino will not disappoint you. It is not a religious publication but a cleverly woven net of real life stories. Most of all, it is about people and the various reasons for their modern day pilgrimage. This authentic, and often quite humorous, account of the Camino brings this most popular of pilgrimages to the readers' doorstep and invites them to walk along. Robert Mullen explores new angles, shares fascinating experiences and generally, gives the opportunity to be part of an adventure that many had thought to be out of their league. - Stefanie Barschdorf