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Andrew McCarthy may always be remembered as the brooding heartthrob from Pretty in Pink, (or for me, the cool guy in Weekend at Bernie’s.) But these days, he’s more interested in long walks than love triangles.
In Walking with Sam, he takes on backpacking the Camino de Santiago (approximately 500 miles across Spain) alongside his 19-year-old son, hoping for some father-son bonding and personal reflection. Their journey is grueling, heartfelt, and unexpectedly funny.
My Walking with Sam Book Review
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Walking With Sam Book Summary
Andrew McCarthy (yes, that Andrew McCarthy from St Elmo’s Fire, Pretty in Pink AND the amazing Weekend at Bernie’s) decides to drag his 19-year-old son, Sam, on a 500-mile walk across Spain’s Camino de Santiago.
The goal? Some quality father-son bonding, personal reflection, and maybe a few life lessons along the way. The reality? Blisters, exhaustion, and long stretches of teenage silence. But also, lots of pit stops for ice cream and pizza. McCarthy’s poetic storytelling captures both the beauty of the journey and the sometimes-painful awkwardness of reconnecting with a kid who’s on the brink of adulthood.
Between moments of deep conversation and the occasional eye roll, Walking with Sam explores travel, parenting, and the complicated business of truly knowing (and being known by) your own family. It’s heartfelt, funny, and proof that walking absurd distances might actually bring people closer—or at least give them enough time to figure each other out.
Who is Andrew McCarthy?
Andrew McCarthy is an actor, director, and writer—basically a guy with many hats (and probably a solid hat collection).
- Actor: Best known for his roles in iconic ‘80s films like Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo’s Fire, and Weekend at Bernie’s. Yep, he was one of the Brat Pack.
- Director: He’s directed episodes of Orange Is the New Black, Blacklist, and Good Girls, among others.
- Writer: In addition to Walking with Sam, he’s written another travel memoir (The Longest Way Home), and even dabbled in fiction.
- Traveler: He’s got a serious love for travel and was once an editor-at-large for National Geographic Traveler. So, when he’s not reminiscing about the ‘80s, he’s probably off on some grand adventure.
McCarthy is that rare former teen heartthrob who reinvented himself as a thoughtful storyteller—and still manages to be cool.
More about Andrew McCarthy here: Andrew McCarthy
Camino de Santiago Facts
- What It the Camino de Santiago? A historic pilgrimage route leading to the shrine of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- How Long is the Camino de Santiago? The most popular route, the Camino Francés, is about 500 miles (800 km) from St. Jean Pied de Port, France, to Santiago.
- Who Walks It the Camino de Santiago? Pilgrims, tourists, spiritual seekers, and people who just really like walking long distances for fun (or personal enlightenment).
- Why Do People Walk the Camino de Santiago? Religious devotion, personal reflection, a good excuse to unplug, or simply the challenge of walking across a country.
- The Shell Symbol – Pilgrims often carry a scallop shell, a symbol of St. James, which also helps identify fellow walkers.
- Pilgrim Passport on the Camino de Santiago: Walkers get a credential (pilgrim passport) stamped to qualify for a Compostela certificate in Santiago.
- How Long Does It Take to Walk the Camino de Santiago? Completing the full Camino Francés usually takes 4-6 weeks, though some people do it in stages.
Other Books About the Camino de Santiago
- The Walk of a Lifetime: 500 Miles on the Camino de Santiago (Russ Eanes, 2019)
- Pilgrim Tips & Packing List Camino de Santiago: What you need to know beforehand, what you need to take, and what you can leave at home (S. Yates with Daphne Hnatiuk, 2013)
- I’m Off Then: Losing and Finding Myself on the Camino de Santiago (Hape Kerkeling, 2009)
- A Funny Thing Happened Walking Lost on the Camino De Santiago: Thoughts Along the Way of Saint James, (Gary Tutty, 2024)
Now onto the rating! Walking With Sam Book Review:
My innovative system for rating humor books is explained here
Wholesomeness Score: 3/5
Walking With Sam is moderately “wholesome”. While it’s a lovely, heartfelt father-son journey, it’s not exactly squeaky clean. The book includes a fair amount of swearing, plus plenty of references to smoking, drinking, and drugs. Even though Andrew McCarthy himself abstains, these themes are present throughout, making it more suited for an audience that doesn’t mind some rough edges.
Hilarity Score: 5/5
Walking with Sam is by no means a non-stop joke-fest. But the father-son banter is effortlessly funny and deeply relatable. Teenage boy calls Dad “Bro” and can’t stopping saying SHEEEEESH! (A very 2020ish battle cry for teenagers.)
A few examples of the humorous banter, as the father and son begin their journey:
“Oh my God, I am about to get so sick of you.”
– Andrew McCarthy, Walking With Sam
“Back in the room we make final preparations. I rearrange the weight in my backpack on last time. I urge Sam to get off his phone and get ready.”
“Chill, bro. It’s my last five minutes on TikTok.”
– Andrew McCarthy, Walking With Sam
“God, I smell worse than I ever have in my life,” he says.
“Thanks for sharing, Sam”
– Andrew McCarthy, Walking With Sam
Overall Book Awesomeness Score: 5/5
McCarthy’s poetic delivery, humor, and insightful reflections made this one a standout. The banter between father and son was equal parts hilarious, warm, and inspiring. I knew nothing about the Camino before, but now I’m intrigued—maybe someday. I also came away a fan of author Andrew McCarthy and will definitely be reading more of his work.
Things I liked:
- Audiobook Bonus! McCarthy narrates, with his son joining in for their dialogue and father/son banter! It adds an extra layer of charm and authenticity.
- Learning about this epic pilgrimage – I had never even heard of it before! (But I’m not a well-traveled man. Nor that smart.)
- McCarthy descriptions are vivid, expressive and insightful
Things I didn’t like:
- Minor Gripe: Smoking—gross! (Kidding. But only kind of.) Young Sam bums cigarettes off fellow travelers while Andrew halfheartedly protests. But let’s be real, kids never listen to their parents anyway.
Conclusion: Walking With Sam Book Review
Walking with Sam is one of my favorite books (technically, audiobooks) I’ve experienced in a while. Andrew McCarthy’s writing is beautiful and hearing him narrate (along with his son for their father/son dialogue) made it even more special. His poetic descriptions of the trail, the hike, and the ever-changing scenery were vivid. But what really stood out was the heartfelt (and sometimes hilarious) bonding between father and son. It was a joy to listen to from start to finish.
Have you read any great travel memoirs? Comment below so I can add to my TBR!
Scott Johnson is a Midwestern humorist, author of Essays Out of Left Field, and the mind behind scottjohnsonauthor.com. He’s also a husband, dad of three, and Data Systems Administrator (whatever that is). Scott is on a mission to find and read all the funny books. He shares his thoughts on those books, author life, and other delightful randomness with his readers on his website.
