If you grew up in the 80s like I did, you know Andrew McCarthy from Pretty in Pink and St. Elmo’s Fire.
But Andrew is more than an actor and director. He’s also an award-winning travel writer.
I came across so many of his stories over the years while leafing through my favourite magazines, and I reviewed his excellent first book, The Longest Way Home, for Outpost.
His writing is introspective, vulnerable and self-deprecating. He weaves memoir with vivid descriptions of people and place, and grapples with questions like how to balance a solitary nature with the desire for intimacy.
I reached out to ask him about walking across Spain, a journey he made twice: first alone, and then with his teenaged son. That’s the subject of his latest book, Walking With Sam.
I thought he might give me some insights and inspiration as I prepare for a long farewell-to-Europe trudge.
Andrew McCarthy is the author of Walking With Sam, The Longest Way Home, and Brat: An 80s Story. He was editor-at-large for National Geographic Traveler magazine, and guest editor of a Best American Travel Writing anthology. He’s written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Travel+Leisure, and many other publications. He also appeared in dozens of iconic films, including Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo’s Fire, Less Than Zero, and Weekend At Bernie’s.
You can read more about him on his website, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram and X.
We spoke about his Brat pack years, walking the Camino with his son, and how a hike can change your life.
These are the books we mentioned in the podcast:
We also mentioned:
Brats documentary
The Old Patagonian Express by Paul Theroux
You can listen to Personal Landscapes: Conversations on Books About Place on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Podbean, Google Podcasts, Audible, PlayerFM, and TuneIn + Alexa.
Please subscribe, and rate the podcast or leave a review.
The podcast relies on the support of listeners like you to keep going. Please consider joining the Member’s Club.
Share this post