Follow the Joy: A Memoir by Jason Kurtz

Follow the Joy is not your usual travel memoir. It starts with young Jason, unsure of himself and what he wants to do with his life, travelling in search of ‘something’. 

The story smoothly develops as Jason begins his travels. The reasons for his travel choices may have been uncertain initially, but as he moves from one place or experience to the next he is conscious that he is following the joy.

His story becomes increasingly more engrossing as he continues to seek fulfilment and happiness.  He realises that each time he “follows the call of his inner voice” he “felt that inexplicable feeling of joy” telling him he actually wanted to go.

Kurtz’s writing skills draw the reader further and further into his story as we move from one deeply moving experience to the next even more poignant.

Whether he is writing about the quiet monastery and temples; the hustle and bustle of busy streets with merchants and beggars; the unexpected happiness and caring within an aged care facility and a leper colony or the sadness of the street urchins and the dying; the sights, sounds, smells and emotions become real and alive.
Apart from the story line itself, I also found the information about Hinduism and Buddhism extremely interesting. 

My rating 4*