A continuation of Nick Dunne’s journey on the Via Francigena from his previous book, Walking on Holy Ground, From The Crowned Mountain starts at the medieval hilltop city of Laon in Picardy and takes the reader along the Francigena to Aosta. The pilgrimage introduces the author to a Christian heritage lost in Britain and to questions of Faith that bemuse believers and non-believers alike. The normal routines of life are disturbed on this challenging journey where even small acts of kindness can illuminate a pilgrim’s day.
Review – Brian Mooney
A Crowning Achievement: ‘The Via Francigena is well trodden and in recent times this great pilgrim way has generated much fine writing. That posed quite a challenge for Nick Dunne and his wife Fiona. Having walked to Rome, albeit with some interesting detours, Nick set himself the task of distilling their journey into no less than three volumes. The first, Walking on Holy Ground (Som Tam Books 2022), takes the reader along the Western Front as far as Laon and it has a distinctly battlefield flavour. The second volume reviewed here, From the Crowned Mountain (Som Tam Books 2024), continues the journey through Switzerland across the Alps to Aosta and Turin. Both volumes sparkle with fascinating anecdote and thoughtful insights.’
Review – Tim Greig
‘Nick Dunne began his quest to walk along the Via Francigena from his home in London to Rome in 2014 and his first book, Walking on Holy Ground delivered us safely to the French town of Laon. In this second volume, we travel with Nick across France and Switzerland, over the Alps and into Italy. Along the way, we are treated to evocative descriptions of the landscape, the sights of special interest and, best of all, the people he meets.
‘This engrossing account of the pilgrimage illustrates the physical challenges of walking through the scorching heat or the pouring rain, supported by blister plasters and tuna sandwiches. His navigation is a little wonky in the wilds but at the end of every day there is a warm welcome at a variety of accommodations in abbeys, churches and homes as well as some traditional hotels.
‘The Via Francigena has a rich history spanning the centuries and Nick tells the story of places he passes through, the wars and the people like Napoleon, Joan of Arc, St Benedict and even Carlos the Jackal who feature on the path.
‘For those who have walked along the Via Francigena, this book will revive fond memories of remote places and some rustic accommodations that are salvation for the weary traveller. The armchair pilgrim, and those intending to walk to Rome, will discover much of interest in Nick’s second volume of his epic pilgrimage and will be inspired to make their own plans.’
