Off the Map

This was a sweet if meandering tale of backpacking and squatting through Europe. The trajectory of the plot is entirely internal, which is rough, since it mainly consists of adjustment to and acceptance of the lifestyle of travel itself. The experiences recounted in the book ask questions of the radical lifestyle--how does one build a welcoming radical space? Where can it be done? How can sexism and prejudice be reduced or removed in interactions with strangers?--but do not answer these satisfactorily. I did enjoy that it ended before they returned to America; that felt more genuine than a circular journey would have. Felt like a conversation rather than a book, which is an understandable mood for a zine, as I understand this was show more originally published. show less

Absolutely fantastic, poetically written book about two women backpacking Europe, staying in squats, hitchhiking, and just generally doing what men have been writing about for ages, but women are always told it's not safe to do. It's "[b:On the Road|6288|The Road|Cormac McCarthy|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21E8H3D1JSL._SL75_.jpg|3355573]", but better written and from a woman's perspective.