Let's be clear from the start: this is not a plot-heavy adventure novel. The 'story' is wonderfully simple. In 1878, a young Robert Louis Stevenson, not yet famous for Treasure Island or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, sets off on a walking tour through the Cevennes mountains. He buys a donkey, Modestine, to carry his gear, which includes a ridiculous sleeping sack he designed himself (it was, by his own account, a failure). For nearly two weeks, they traverse forests, cross rivers, and climb hills. He spends nights in remote monasteries, rough inns, and out in the open air. Along the way, he meets farmers, monks, and locals, sharing meals and conversations. The heart of the narrative is the evolving relationship between the man and his donkey—a partnership built on frustration, patience, and a growing mutual respect.

Why You Should Read It

You should read this because it’s the most charming and human account of a trip gone… not wrong, but authentically right. Stevenson’s voice is incredible. He’s funny, self-deprecating, and incredibly observant. He doesn’t pretend to be a heroic explorer. He gets lost, he gets sore, and he spends an absurd amount of time trying to motivate a donkey with a switch and a goad. His descriptions of the French countryside are so vivid you can almost smell the pine trees and feel the chill of the mountain air. But more than the scenery, it’s about the mindset of travel. It captures that feeling of being unmoored from daily life, where your biggest concerns are food, shelter, and the next bend in the path. The book is a quiet meditation on solitude, simplicity, and the small joys discovered when you move slowly through the world.

Final Verdict

This book is a perfect, gentle escape. It’s for anyone who loves the idea of a long walk, appreciates dry wit, or enjoys classic literature that feels surprisingly modern and personal. It’s for aspiring travel writers, daydreamers, and anyone who needs a reminder that adventure doesn’t require a far-flung destination—sometimes it’s just a road, a pack, and a stubborn animal companion. If you like Bill Bryson’s humorous travelogues or the reflective pace of Thoreau, you’ll find a kindred spirit in Stevenson. Keep it on your shelf for when you need a literary breath of fresh mountain air.