Review of Who Will Accompany You?

[Sarah Schmidt]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Who Will Accompany You?" by Meg Stafford with Kate Stafford and Gale Stafford.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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In her book, Who Will Accompany You?: My Mother-Daughter Journeys Far from Home and Close to the Heart, Meg Stafford chronicles her and her daughters’ trips. When Kate, her younger daughter, decides to visit Bhutan for her senior project at only seventeen years old, Meg is understandably taken aback. Two years later, it comes as just as much of a shock when Gale, her twenty-three-year-old daughter, decides to visit Colombia as an accompanier. Regardless, she supports their respective endeavours, making sure to accompany them for a bit of the way. Read on for a vivid byplay of their adventures.

A standout feature of the book is the way in which it was written. The tone was lighthearted and very self-aware—a trait I find most tourist recollections tend to lack. Readers will be gratified to find there is only one minor error in the entire book, speaking well to its editing quality.

An unbroken thread of humour made Who Will Accompany You? a delight to get through, and I appreciated the mentions of unique aspects of the different locales that made it feel as if I were really there accompanying Meg and her daughters. Profanity was present but scarce, so this shouldn’t be too large a deterrent to readers.

I loved the addition of Kate’s journal entries and the emails from Gale. The photos were also a boon, and I always feel content of this nature only serves to boost the realistic quality of nonfiction books. Weirdly enough, I loved Kate’s inability to connect with some of the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism and the practice of meditation. She questioned karma, dharma, and the separation of ‘I’ from the rest of ourselves, all without dismissing what was being taught in the course. It’s a stark contrast to the travel guides that typically boast of an immediate connection with the ideologies of the places in question. Though it was something she was looking forward to, she was firm in her own beliefs and way of thinking that it was hard to correlate what was being taught with her own search for happiness, outright expressing her frustration at the rather contradicting cycle of Buddhism ideals. This was refreshing to read about.

I think beneath all the travelling ups and downs, the message apparent in the title was always prevalent. When Meg was on her journey, she was accompanied by Lisa and Lila. She went on to explore Kathmandu and Bhutan with Kate and then accompanied Gale for a brief time in Colombia. Through it all, she and her family shared their own little nuggets with each other, doing frequent checks on each other without intruding on their enjoyment of their chosen destinations. At home, she always had the support of her husband, Duke. That they allowed their loved ones the freedom of choice was something I respected and admired.

Towards the end of the book, Meg imparts some wisdom on personality types and how they affect those around them (especially relating to people bit by the travelling bug), using her knowledge as a therapist as a sort of foundation for this.

Who Will Accompany You? deserves no less than a full five out of five-star rating. With an excellent style of writing, a conversant retelling of events, and multiple perspectives showing how each woman was affected by each place she visited, the positives of the book are varied and numerous. I enjoyed being able to viscerally witness and experience the sights through Meg, Gale, and Kate. This book will be a fitting read for fans of travelogues and vacation journals. Those with an interest in Nepal, Bhutan, and Colombia are sure to glean pearls of wisdom for their potential trips to these places.

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Who Will Accompany You?
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[maria ch 6]

"Who Will Accompany You?" is a literary gem deserving of a five-star rating. With its exceptional writing, engaging storytelling, and diverse perspectives, it stands out in the realm of travel literature. It's not just a travelogue; it's a heartwarming journey through life, family, and adventure. This book is a must-read for travel enthusiasts and anyone seeking a genuine, immersive, and insightful reading experience. It's a true treasure for those interested in Nepal, Bhutan, Colombia, or simply the human connection across borders.

[RutvikPatel]

"Who Will Accompany You?" by Meg Stafford is a delightful travel memoir with a lighthearted tone, rich descriptions, and valuable insights into the mother-daughter dynamic during their journeys. Recommended for travelogue enthusiasts.

[Chandrakant Patel]

Meg Stafford's book is a lighthearted and humorous account of her travels with her daughters to Bhutan and Colombia. The author's self-aware tone and vivid descriptions make the reader feel like they are on the journey with her. The addition of Kate's journal entries and Gale's emails, as well as the photos, enrich the narrative and make it more relatable. Stafford's honesty about her daughter's inability to connect with Tibetan Buddhism is refreshing, and the underlying message of the book is that we are always accompanied by the love and support of our loved ones, even when we are far away.

[Leen282]

I am already a fan purely based on the picture of the cute yellow suitcases. Travelling is awesome, even more so when shared with loved ones. I can imagine the book provides entertainment when reading about the travels through other people's eyes and experiences. Pictures indeed add value to books like this.

[Timothy Rucinski]

I'm not a big fan of memoirs or travel books, but the writing is very well done and engaging, as are the photos. Congrats to the author on BOTD!

[abderrahman El achari]

The book "Who Will Accompany You?" by Meg Stafford with Kate Stafford and Gale Stafford, is a book of wisdom and guidance for all those who have been bitten by the travel bug.. Good review
my regards

[abderrahman El achari]

Good review
my regards

[Rebecca De Figueiredo]

Thank you for that thorough review, it summarises the book well. Yes, there is a witty streak running through it, I find that’s always a beneficial aspect, especially in non fiction books, where the going can get tough. It will be interesting to read about all of these places, especially Bhutan.

[Harshitha G B]

This looks.like a travel experience with spiritual journey. The travel benefits,how different places bring different effects on us. The review gave summary of what to expect in this book like humours with serious teaching of different cultures. Through the actual journey,the journey of life' teaching explained, that's seems to be theme of the book.

[Seetha E]

Meg Stafford's book describes her and her daughters' travels to Nepal, Bhutan, and Colombia. The author's lighthearted tone and the distinct characteristics of the several locales sound intriguing. I'm also interested in their experiences and variety of viewpoints. Fantastic review! Congrats on BOTD!

[Tomi Ahmed]

This review beautifully captures the essence of "Who Will Accompany You?" Meg Stafford's candid storytelling, complemented by the inclusion of Kate's journal entries and Gale's emails, offers readers a genuine glimpse into their mother-daughter adventures. The author's ability to maintain a lighthearted tone while delving into profound topics like cultural immersion and personal beliefs is commendable. The book's emphasis on respecting individual journeys while offering unwavering support underscores its universal message of familial bonds and exploration. Overall, a compelling read that promises to resonate with travel enthusiasts and introspective readers alike.

[Amy Luman]

I really like the way that Meg can support Kate and later, Gale, even when they are doing things that she doesn’t necessarily agree with. I think that our world would be a better place if more parents followed her example. Congratulations on BOTD!

[Lawrence Joseph 3]

"Who Will Accompany You? offers a delightful journey filled with humor, self-awareness, and insightful reflections on family bonds amidst diverse travels. A captivating read with vivid descriptions and relatable experiences."

[Sarah Zain]

The review is well-written and gives clear view of the book. Supporting her daughters' decisions is a beautiful thing and a wonderful thing to share.The impact of the places they visited and the description, I think it will be interesting to read. With the sense of humor it makes the book a good choice for BOTD. Congrats