The Pants Of Perspective: One woman's 3,000 kilometre running adventure through the wilds of New Zealand
Written by Anna McNuff
Narrated by Anna McNuff
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
"A thrilling, coming-of-age journey that will make you yearn to go on your own adventures.” - RUNNER'S WORLD
Anna was never anything like those ‘real’ runners on telly – all spindly limbs, tiny shorts and split times – but when she read about New Zealand’s 3,000-kilometre-long Te Araroa Trail, she began to wonder… perhaps being a ‘real’ runner was overrated. Maybe she could just run it anyway?
Travelling alone through New Zealand’s backcountry for 148 days, she scrambled through forests, along ridge-lines, over mountain passes, along beaches and across swollen rivers. Running up to 52 kilometres in a day, she slept wild most nights, and was taken into the homes and hearts of the kiwi people in between.
The Pants of Perspective is a witty, colourful and at times painfully raw account of a journey to the edge of what a woman believes herself to be capable of. It is a coming-of-age story which will lead you on a roller coaster ride through fear, vulnerability, courage and failure.
For anyone who has ever dreamt of taking on a great challenge, but felt too afraid to begin – this story is for you.
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Reviews for The Pants Of Perspective
80 ratings20 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Inspiring, real, breath taking and funny! Anna Mcnuff has done a great job
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was a great listen, I loved her descriptions and her accent is amazing. Perfect motivation.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Totally loved this book. Cldn’t stop. Did the audiobook version and loved Anna’s excitable voice! I’d recommend this book to anyone and everyone that needs a boost in life.
It’s certainly got me all excited again. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Another great read. She's a wonderful storyteller and excellent reader. Love her work.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Perfect, just perfect audiobook for mornings runs :) it is inspiring
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beyond brilliant, funny, inspiring! Love all her adventures! A must read!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I could listen to this girl all day actually I did Awesome
Definitely want to met her one day
Off to listen to book 3 can’t wait - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5enjoyed the story but the narration was a bit much at times
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The cover really caught my eye on this book and knowing it was about NZ It was to be expected there would be vivid descriptions of edenic landscapes. There is some of that and there is also learning about how athletes find the fortitude to work around injuries. There is also a great deal about the casual bonds formed with generous locals and fellow trampers. The author is British and is also the narrator. She uses some British expressions, which were unfamiliar, but interesting to learn about. Anna seems a bit too anxious and her high pitched voice is a bit grating during the parts where she was over excited. I too am a nomadic backpacker and can easily imagine her experiences and compare my own. I admire her ability to run so far for so long, but having had knee surgery myself know that such an endeavor punishes the body. I mostly ride bikes or walk now, because my feet are in bad shape, but it is great to listen to others tell their spectacular stories during this COVID-19 crisis. This is my 2cd summer sitting around and Anna too must be restless to get out and explore. She has several books and this one wasn't bad. Perhaps the one about cycling would add an additional element to make the story more compelling for me.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Adventure lies ahead! Whatever rocky path you are facing in your life, Anna's story will be an inspiration for your own journey.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book was full of adventure, honesty, trials and tribulations, and sometimes, just plain fun! A good read!!!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5She’s a great story teller with a great story to tell. Entertaining and inspiring. Made me want to pack a backpack and go do a big adventure. So happy she decided to share this amazing adventure!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Redefines Enthusiasm - unlike any other audio book the author reads with such incredible vigour that the listener can't fail to be drawn into the adventure.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Felt like I was running every step with Anna.
Awesome as audiobook!!! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5All 3 books are fantastic. Anna is enthusiastic and honest
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Absolutely fantastic! It was inspiring, entertaining, relatable, and motivating. I cannot wait to read more of her adventures!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5To read this book is to find a new best friend, fellow lover of life and indeed set you on the search for your own pants of perspective. Well done McNuff. Adventure on.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Absolutely fantastic book, thank you Anna!!! Keep shining!!! Love from Hungary xxx
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Brilliant....but now I really want to go to New Zealand! Damn you Anna with your great sense of humor and amazing story telling skills!
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Interesting book. McNuff is high-spirited, brave and hopelessy under-prepared. It seems amazing that she survived, given the natural risks on the trail, and her nature as a risk-taker. I admire that McNuff is honest, optimistic and cheerful in the rendition. This book is not funny, but it is a light-hearted book.