TRAVERSE Issue 38 - October 2023 | Page 197

TRAVERSE 197
Wild Spirit Helen Lloyd 2023 ISBN 978-0-9576606-6-3
Helen Lloyd is a noted traveller , not afraid to examine and question that around her yet a ride the length of African continent had her questioning much more than her surroundings .
Wild Spirit examines what it means to revisit a continent much loved with someone who is apparently a love .
With a writing style that is descriptive and informative , Lloyd takes us into the depths of the many aspects of African life , from cities quickly modernising to traditional lifestyles and welcoming people , yet one driving issue hampers the experience , travelling with a partner .
It is often said that long distance travel can make or break partnerships and Lloyds experience is brought to a head as she discovers much more about herself than the continent through which she is riding .
Wild Spirit is the essence of travel writing ; a personal journey interspersed with anecdotes of location , cultures , and politics and how that affects the psyche of the traveller .
There ' s enough to keep the bike riders entertained , plenty for the travellers , and much more for those who need to feel a personal connection . Wild Spirit is a standout in how travel writing should be , Wild Spirit could be the book of the year .
The Story Of A LIttle Nomad Oyunjargal Renchin 2022 ISBN 978-9919-0-0269-5
Early 1970 ' s Mongolia , a world away from that of now and yet not too different .
Mongolia was under the control of the Soviets , religion , culture , heritage were being dismantled and forbidden yet , for seven year old Oyu it mattered little , her life was that of a Nomad .
Oyunjargal Renchin has recounted a year in her life as a child on the Mongolia steppe in The Story Of A Little Nomad . This one year gives great insight into what it means to be a nomad , what it means to be Mongolian .
The Story Of A Little Nomad is wondefully told through the eyes of a child , seeing the world around them as only a child can . The Nomadic world is one of wonder , of animals , respect for family , for animals , for everything under the Eternal Blue Sky .
In the telling of her story , Oyu has captured the essence of a lifestyle that many don ' t know of , a lifestyle that is full heritage , rich culture , and love of and for family .
The Story Of A Little Nomad has a wonderfully naive narrative that draws the reader and compells to continue . You ' ll easily read this in a few hours and then want more ... we ' re hoping that Oyu follows it up with a book about her early twenties ... you ' ll see what we mean . If you ' re able to get your hands on The Story Of A Little Nomad please do , it ' s a story that must be read .
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