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The Journey
A book for all people. And all who read it will be changed by the experience.
". . . an extraordinary book. . . I would commend it to everybody." Terry Lane, ABC Radio
The Journey is a story of young people in a world so different and yet so like our own. It is a world in which young people must undertake a journey of discovery on their way to becoming adults.
Fourteen-year-old Argus sets out on his journey away from his valley and his parents, never knowing what adventure will befall him next. He learns how to survive in the wild until he meets with a travelling fair, which he joins, becoming a friend of Mayon the storyteller, of Lavolta and Parara - twins who share the same body - and many others.
But it is with the sweet and wise Temora that he learns some of the deepest secrets.
All journeys must find an end. Argus leaves the fair and travels on alone, until his last and greatest adventure beckons him home. There he tells, for the approval of his elders, the seven stories which are now his story. But all is not done.
There is one more chapter to be lived out in the story of Argus.
Fans of Veronica Roth, Suzanne Collins and John Flanagan will love John Marsden.
". . . an extraordinary book. . . I would commend it to everybody." Terry Lane, ABC Radio
The Journey is a story of young people in a world so different and yet so like our own. It is a world in which young people must undertake a journey of discovery on their way to becoming adults.
Fourteen-year-old Argus sets out on his journey away from his valley and his parents, never knowing what adventure will befall him next. He learns how to survive in the wild until he meets with a travelling fair, which he joins, becoming a friend of Mayon the storyteller, of Lavolta and Parara - twins who share the same body - and many others.
But it is with the sweet and wise Temora that he learns some of the deepest secrets.
All journeys must find an end. Argus leaves the fair and travels on alone, until his last and greatest adventure beckons him home. There he tells, for the approval of his elders, the seven stories which are now his story. But all is not done.
There is one more chapter to be lived out in the story of Argus.
Fans of Veronica Roth, Suzanne Collins and John Flanagan will love John Marsden.
186 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
7 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
John Marsden
104Ìýbooks1,928ÌýfollowersThere is more than one author with this name in the database, see f.e. John Marsden.
John Marsden was an Australian writer and school principal. He wrote more than 40 books in his career and his books have been translated into many languages. He was especially known for his young adult novel Tomorrow, When the War Began, which began a series of seven books.
Marsden began writing for children while working as a teacher, and had his first book, So Much to Tell You, published in 1987. In 2006, he started an alternative school, Candlebark School, and reduced his writing to focus on teaching and running the school. In 2016, he opened the arts-focused secondary school, Alice Miller School. Both schools are in the Macedon Ranges.
John Marsden was an Australian writer and school principal. He wrote more than 40 books in his career and his books have been translated into many languages. He was especially known for his young adult novel Tomorrow, When the War Began, which began a series of seven books.
Marsden began writing for children while working as a teacher, and had his first book, So Much to Tell You, published in 1987. In 2006, he started an alternative school, Candlebark School, and reduced his writing to focus on teaching and running the school. In 2016, he opened the arts-focused secondary school, Alice Miller School. Both schools are in the Macedon Ranges.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 1, 2011
THIS was the book that we all hid behind the stacks in the library reading in year 8, a little group of us, because of the scene where the guy masturbates on a hill or something. SO NAUGHTY OMG! It served three giggling 13-year-olds very well indeed ;) The rest of the book I did try to read once, but could never get into. I guess a guy's journey just wasn't that interesting to me back then, and I doubt I'll ever pick it up for another try.
October 6, 2016
Every teenager should have to read this book. In year 9 it was read to my class by our English teacher and every student in the class sat silent and soaked in every word!
February 2, 2019
Good but not John Marsden's best. Some interesting perspectives on growing up. I do think the poor lad had to grow up way too fast but most teens want to grow up. They don't understand how much easier life is as a child. Interesting adventures with messages in them. Worth a read.
July 19, 2021
Moments of brilliance. Notice how darkness is barely noticed in the light, but even a tiny light can be seen in the darkness. The second half of the book didn’t live up to the promise of the first half.
May 18, 2017
A coming-of-age novel. A boy on a journey. A boy jerking off. Now THAT seemed to come out of nowhere (no pun intended).
By the author of the Tomorrow series. This reminded me of The Alchemist, without the bits i didn't like.
This is my first Marsden book and i liked his writing. i think I'll enjoy The Tomorrow series.
By the author of the Tomorrow series. This reminded me of The Alchemist, without the bits i didn't like.
This is my first Marsden book and i liked his writing. i think I'll enjoy The Tomorrow series.
March 2, 2019
GROWING UP: AN ALLEGORY
My mum bought this for me when I was 18 or so, and I really wish I had have read it then. The Journey is a rather self-evident to someone who has mostly lived the years of adolescence and young-adulthood, but it would have been good to have it knocking around in my head when I was living it, I think.
My mum bought this for me when I was 18 or so, and I really wish I had have read it then. The Journey is a rather self-evident to someone who has mostly lived the years of adolescence and young-adulthood, but it would have been good to have it knocking around in my head when I was living it, I think.
February 22, 2009
A short book about a boy's rite of passage to manhood. Contains lots of truths.
August 9, 2019
I really enjoyed this novel about a young boy who sets out into the world to discover himself before returning to his community with his required stories. A real coming of age novel.
August 6, 2021
A gentle collection of characters and stories.
I found this book in a cupboard at my workplace and enjoyed reading it over a few days.
It's written for a high school/YA audience and lacks the intense drama often associated with the genre.
It reminded me a little of Hesse's 'The Glass Bead Game.' It's full of unobtrusive but profound ideas and concepts. I wish I'd read it when I was twelve or thirteen.
I found this book in a cupboard at my workplace and enjoyed reading it over a few days.
It's written for a high school/YA audience and lacks the intense drama often associated with the genre.
It reminded me a little of Hesse's 'The Glass Bead Game.' It's full of unobtrusive but profound ideas and concepts. I wish I'd read it when I was twelve or thirteen.
January 27, 2025
I read this a very long time ago, and I don't actually remember the story line at all, so it was like a new read. Upon (re)consideration, I find it a little far fetched to believe a boy of 14 did all of those things and then came back after less than a year a fully grown man to previously well parents and discover them old and frail. Having said that though, the message within the book is one that is timeless.
November 4, 2018
Pretty good coming of age novel - I didn't realise until partway through that I'd actually read it many many years ago.
August 28, 2022
I have loved this book since I first read it. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve read it. Ultimate favourites.
March 21, 2024
borrowed this book from ryder and read this in two days while camping for the month !! this book was soo perfect to read while i’m on my own journey, away from home for the first time :)
March 3, 2015
1.I decided to read this book because my friend recommended it to me and said it was a good book 2.I found the setting of this book really interesting through out the story as it was set mostly on a farm and even though it was a globe of 6 billion people he always felt secluded and it was set as if it was only him in the world. 3."this World is just a sphere ready for exploring" I liked this quote because it relates to this book so well like as life is just a journey that we were chosen for. 4.This Story makes you think about how much of the earth you haven't seen and it makes you realise how small you are in the universe. I know, Deep
February 7, 2015
I can't believe this story isn't more highly rated on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.
It's a delightful story that's so well written. I liked the writing even more than the authors, Tommorow When The War Began, which is also very good.
The story follows that journey of a boy who must leave home and experience life. His task is to return home with seven stories from his journey.
I couldn't help compare this story with The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Both are great reads.
It's a delightful story that's so well written. I liked the writing even more than the authors, Tommorow When The War Began, which is also very good.
The story follows that journey of a boy who must leave home and experience life. His task is to return home with seven stories from his journey.
I couldn't help compare this story with The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Both are great reads.
June 14, 2011
This book was not really my style. Interestingly written story of a young man's journey to maturity. He must come home with seven stories that prove he has learned what it means to be a man. I'm not a fan of stories that you have to decipher to find the meaning, which is why this book isn't really my style, but it was a good tale.
December 31, 2009
very very teenage fiction which is a disappointment for me as I enjoyed Marsden's War series as an adult. But this book is aimed at teenagers, so I cant be surprised
April 15, 2013
Read as a teenager growing up. I recommend for a growing teenage who is not really knowing what life is all about yet.
July 14, 2014
I'm just not sure I got much out of it...
You see; it's an emotional and spiritual journey into becoming an adult in the guise of a physical traipse through the landscape.
Eh; not my cup of tea.
You see; it's an emotional and spiritual journey into becoming an adult in the guise of a physical traipse through the landscape.
Eh; not my cup of tea.
October 6, 2015
This book is one that has stayed with me for years, it resonated with me so strongly at the time. I think I was in my early to mid teens when I read this and I am so glad I found it.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
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