Please Note:  I received an advance reader's copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.  Also, I have linked the book cover to Amazon.  If you buy the book through this link, I will get a small fee.

Synopsis (From Goodreads):
Torre DeRoche is grieving the loss of the two most important men in her life--the partner of nine years who she's just broken up with, and her father, who's just passed away--when she crosses paths with Masha, a woman who has put her marriage on hold to pursue a dream of walking the world in order to try and make sense of it. When Masha invites Torre to join her on a pilgrimage in India, Torre embarks on a journey both physical and spiritual.

It's an uncertain route full of danger--pollution, wild dogs, snakes, and men--but if they can survive uninjured the duo hope they'll absorb wisdom by osmosis and end the journey as two women who are fit, fearless, and ready to save the world. But nothing these two unlikely adventurers encounter is quite as terrifying as being 30-something women who have no clue about anything anymore.  

Review:
When I first read the description for The Worriers Guide to The End of The World, by Torre DeRoche,  I worried that it would be a copycat of Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert.  As much as I did like that book, it seemed to say that all one had to do was take some "Me" time in an exotic land, and all your troubles would vanish.  

Thankfully, Torre DeRoche's book shows a much more realistic outcome from such a arduous walk: painful blisters, hot grimy bodies, exhaustion, confusion, and bickering.  But also some measure of letting go, appreciation, and acceptance.

I found this book to be a grounded reflection on how we confront the essential questions of our lives.

Friendship:
Torre and Masha have a friendship that travels at warp speed from acquaintances to inseparable twins.  The first half of the book is about how simpatico they are.  Both have similar outlooks on life, and are looking for something as they walk.  They support each other, particularly when a male friend of Masha's joins in on their walk for a few week.  They can both clearly see how he is commandeering the trip.  I loved how they stood up for each other.

Italy:
The descriptions of Italy are divine!  It does seem idyllic to be meandering through Italy, taking moments to enjoy local wines, cheeses, and olives.  I really liked how Torre could see all the kindness in the people she encountered on the way.  Masha also had an attitude of feeling that God would provided when there was a need.  This gave her confidence even in the most stressful of situations.

India:
While Italy was all gourmet food and pleasant meandering, India was vastly different.  Maybe both Torre and Masha were in a different place, mentally, when they embarked on their walk in India.  But their trip became a traveler's nightmare.  Aside from the difficulties of facing real poverty head-on, the two friends have a falling out.  And that is the true agony of their trip.  Nothing is more disheartening than being on a long journey and fighting with your companion.  

The contrast between these two types of trips is what elevates this book.  I loved how gritty the trip was for these two people, and that they ultimately found a way to let go of their petty grievances with each other and the world.  This was life-affirming, yet not sappy. 



                                                       




Rating: 




Release Date:  September 5th, 2017

Genre:  Non-Fiction Memoir 

Publisher:  Seal Press

Page Length:  288 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  ARC E-Book 

Recommendation:  A dispassionate look at the trend of taking long walks in distant lands.  This will solidify your will to do it (or not).