Matthieu Thomson

"Here in this dizzyingly thin-aired world, up was not so much a direction as it was a philosophy, a way of life, or, in our case, a four-letter word." From that single, perfect example, you now know everything you need to know about S. Bedford and whether or not you'll love this book. The subtle but profound moments of wisdom and insight are layered with reality in a way that strips away the pretentiousness that usually follows this style of narrative. From the most instagram-worthy of trips, gone are the facades, the quiet moments of dishonesty that too often give this lifestyle its illusions of perfection in the first place.. and kept, rigidly, are the moments of reality that are traditionally so thoroughly hidden. S. Bedford unabashedly shares her experiences, up to and very much including why you should definitely skip the Black Noodle Soup on the side of the mountain, and what it means to go to the bathroom on a boat that doesn't have a bathroom. The kinds of details that are usually cut out of this kind of narrative to keep it perfectly picturesque are always kept in, and for that, the adventure we're brought along on is so much more authentic. It’s a bit of a wild ride, but it is well worth the read, and will be staying on my shelf for the long run.