A Year of Sundays : Taking the Plunge and (Our Cat) to Explore Europe

Rating:
Summary: A beautiful story
Review: A Year of Sundays is not only a travel journal; it is also a beautiful story of the love that can develop between two people. In the past, I have only traveled to Asian countries so I welcomed this opportunity to learn about traveling to Europe. What I did not expect is after reading A Year of Sundays, I would feel like I had already traveled to Europe on the heels of Edward and Marguerite.

Edward's use of description intermingled with dialogue presents a very balanced and readable story. It presents real life humor along with sadness and joy that comes from getting to know your true self. I felt virtually transformed to another place-really tasting, smelling, and feeling the environment of every place they visited.

The added plus is that you really get to know Edward and Marguerite, not as visitors to a faraway place, but as real and genuine people that you would love to know. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading his second book when it is published! Well done Mr.Webster!!!

Rating:
Summary: Recounting a one-of-a-kind travel experience
Review: A Year Of Sundays: Taking The Plunge (and Our Cat) To Explore Europe is the personal travelogue account of Edward Webster who, along with Marguerite, his legally blind wife of 28 years, and his 16-year-old cat, toured France, Holland, Austria, Greece, Italy, and Spain much in a manner reminecent of the "Grand Tours" of the 19th century upper classes. Zest and passion bring to life the sights and sounds of the world, recounting a one-of-a-kind travel experience that deepened their relationship and enriched their lives. From shopkeepers so captivated by Marguerite they encourate her to touch and experience everything, to the comfortable indolence of a cat who sees every place as home, to the quiet vibrancy of medieval-style villages and much more, A Year Of Sundays is an extraordinary and captivating journey following adventures both without and within.

Rating:
Summary: Poignant and Personable
Review: I have been plowing my way through a vast number of travel narratives (as opposed to guidebooks) in the last year, and this book is up at the top.

I've found that when reading about someone's personal experiences in a foreign country, what makes or breaks the book for me is whether the writer is someone I "like." Does the author come across as a person that I would enjoy having in my living room -- showing me travel photos and telling me about his or her experiences?

Some books (Under the Tuscan Sun and A Thousand Days in Tuscany, for example) have failed miserably using this criterion. The writers have struck me as people I would enjoy throwing across the room (or out the door). In this book, A Year of Sundays, the opposite is happily true. The Websters (and their cat) are totally endearing. Although normally I find it a bit off-putting when childless couples treat their pet as a substitute child, in this case I found the relationship between the humans and their cat, Felicia, both poignant and totally understandable. The deep love shared between Ed and his blind wife and the bond that they have with their feline companion is touching and convincing.

Yes, this is a travel book. Read at just that level, it's a great introduction to a number of European points of interest. It's a particularly good companion to the Rick Steves' PBS series, since the Websters visit many of the places that he has covered (visually) in his shows. But it's more than a travel book. It's also a love story -- between husband and wife, and between couple and cat. It's a story of disability -- not conquered, but coped with -- and of human courage and commitment. It's one of the best books I've read this year.

Rating:
Summary: I took the plunge too!
Review: This is a love story - love of travel, food, adventure, a very special cat, and a very special couple. Arm-chair travelling with Ed, Marguerite and Felicia refreshed my memory of travelling through Europe with my true love over 12 years ago. Ed made me feel as though I was in the moment with them all - the sights, sounds and smells all came through. The trials and triumphs of travel in foreign countries made me laugh, cry and long to get back out on the road. This is a great book to share with friends who travel (especially those who'd like to take their furry friends along!)

Rating:
Summary: This is a great read!
Review: This is one of those books that's hard to put down, once started. The author takes us through the good times and the bad of traveling in Europe, dealing with speaking different languages, finding accommodations, being lonely, discovering fabulous foods and interesting people. I loved this book, and the author reveals so much of himself as he struggles with turning 50, is guide and companion to his wife who is blind and menopausal (!), and their 15-year old cat (who is more like a child than a pet). His descriptions are rich and poignant. This book brought back many memories of the joys and trials of travel, relationships, making new friends, and exploring new places. You'll be giving it to all your friends and discussing it with all who read it!