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In Solo Passage: 13 Quests, 13 Questions, author Glenda Goodrich takes us on her solo journeys into the wild to heal, to seek answers, to uncover truths, to let go, and to become more fully herself.

Going on quests like this isn’t a part of our modern culture, so it seems unusually brave for a woman to begin doing these yearly quests at age 50. And it is! Glenda is such a fantastic storyteller that you will be engrossed in this book from page one.

She takes the reader through the preparation part of each quest: deciding on a campsite, bringing in water and basic equipment on foot, describing the landscape at each site, and explaining how the quests were organized with guides who planned for support and safety and were stationed a mile or so away.

She also writes of the shyness she had in sharing her true self and also the sense of camaraderie she builds with the other women as they gather before to share why they’re going and again at the end of each quest to share their experiences.

During each four day quest, we get a glimpse into her colorful past as she brings a part of her lived experience to light and lets it heal. She faces some really difficult memories, asks questions, and processes her pain in a different way each quest. Sometimes she gets a clear sign; other times her answer comes more subtly. She also shares vivid stories of her interactions with trees, earth, sky, all kinds of animals and insects, and what she experiences while fasting and being exposed to the elements.

She takes the reader on these thirteen riveting adventures with her and with each one she grows wiser, forgives and accepts herself more and more, and becomes more rooted in who she is. Glenda’s writing is so warm, alive, and she’s so down-to-earth and relatable, she invites the reader in and captivates us with her stories.

Solo Passage is highly recommended for midlife and beyond women who are looking for insight into their own experiences, who want to heal and become wise women who can nurture and love themselves and others. If you enjoy memoir and stories about wild places, you will want to read this book.

Thank you to She Writes Press for the Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review!