Book Reviews 76

Hidden places: an inspired traveller’s guide

BY SARAH BAXTER WHITE LION PUBLISHING $19.99

SERENITY

Seclusion and Secrets

IF you are the kind of traveller who has a penchant for the remote and the mysterious, this book by Sarah Baxter might just be the key to your off-the-map explorations. From forgotten cities to remote treks, the author covers some of the world’s hidden gems that have successfully managed to conceal themselves from the clamor of everyday travellers. “The blue waves and soft-blonde sand of the Bay of Skaill sneak almost right up to the ancient stones of Skara Brae,” writes Baxter as she talks about this small village in Scotland. Her insightful and evocative writing, coupled with delightful hand-drawn illustrations by Amy Grimes makes the places come alive in the minds of the reader. Perhaps what helps this book surpass its competing travel guides is the innate human stories that lie at the heart of each destination. By bringing to life the people living there, Baxter successfully recreates the magic of the place in the mindscape.

With a wide variety of locations ranging from England to Guatemala, Hidden Places captures Sarah Baxter’s poignant storytelling at its best. Be it a gateway to the Mayan Underworld or a prehistoric village, what is most striking about this book is the author’s creative expression of her emotional connect and involvement with each place. Underwater monuments, huge sand dunes, and tales from across cultures, this work goes much beyond the general scope of travel journalism and instead offers a rare glimpse into the unexplored alleys of a traveller’s mind.