In The Twenty: One Woman’s Trek Across Corsica on the GR20 Trail, Marianne C. Bohr shares stories from her hiking journey on the GR 20 trail in Corsica. She also looks back at her life and the insecurities she had to overcome as an overweight child in a religious Catholic home. As they were about to turn 60, Marianne and her husband decided to celebrate in style and spend months in training to prepare for a daring hike. However, despite their months of training, they found the trail far more arduous than anticipated. They endured several challenges, from struggling with a frightening diagnosis to contemplating questions about what they can still do physically at their age and battling vertigo. Fortunately, their journey was also filled with wonderful, memorable treasures, including connecting with new friends, swapping stories, learning about the history and culture of Corsica, and trying new, tasty dishes.

Marianne C. Bohr's growth follows the path of a shy, insecure character that transitions to an adventurous risk-taker, and her vivid writing in The Twenty reflects the promising, unpredictable footpaths of GR 20. The book includes such disparate topics as herbs, health, aging, loss, history, family, religion, and even a hiker's goat-like vigor. Marianne also shines a light on finding your voice, despite constantly hearing other people's negative comments about you. We also get a graphic account of the paths the hikers take and the things they see. You will feel as if you're on the trail with them. The book is a reminder of the importance of taking time to physically experience the world around us and keeping our body active - an important message in a world that's heavily influenced by technology. Thank you, Marianne, for showing me the meaning of being truly alive, brave, and adventurous.

The Twenty: One Woman’s Trek Across Corsica on the GR20 Trail is an adrenaline-filled ride that every traveler and adventurer will relish. Marianne C. Bohr not only takes us across the physical landscapes of Corsica but also delves into the emotional and psychological realms of aging and relationships. Bohr and her husband Joe are baby boomers that have been married for 35 years. They decide to do something momentous to celebrate turning 60 and retirement, so they embark on the GR20, considered Europe’s most arduous and challenging hike. Bohr writes captivating and gritty descriptions of the 14-day rigorous hike where we root for her and Joe from the start.

You feel as if you are on the journey on The Twenty with the whole group feeling sore and exhausted every morning from the rigors of their arduous day to rejoicing as they make camp each night enjoying delicious Corsican wine and rustic meals. I was engaged from the first page, and I did not want to put the book down as I followed Bohr’s physical and emotional journey as she discovered more about herself. I especially liked that she weaves her past in with her present so we come to understand her better. Marianne C. Bohr proves that although aging may be inevitable, age cannot limit an adventurous and brave soul! I truly loved reading every page and felt emotional and reflective about the enduring life lessons covered. A truly inspiring memoir.

In The Twenty: One Woman’s Journey Across Corsica on the GR20 Trail by Marianne C. Bohr, the author recounts the harrowing adventure she embarked on with her husband Joe. Bohr and her husband have always enjoyed seeking new experiences, particularly those that push their bodies to the limits. Thus, they chose to hike one of the most challenging trails in Europe, the GR 20 in Corsica. Covering 124 miles of rugged terrain, the trail includes steep ascents and descents, remote mountain passes, and the challenge of hiking with strangers. Although Bohr was initially apprehensive about the daunting trail, she was determined to prove to herself that she could complete it at the age of sixty, despite her rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.

The Twenty by Marianne C. Bohr is a beautifully written memoir that takes the reader on a journey across the breathtaking yet treacherous Corsican landscapes. What sets this book apart is how Bohr's backstory influenced her adult life. As the oldest of eleven children in a devoutly Catholic household, she was expected to be an educated domestic goddess without athletic ambitions. However, her love for Joe challenged these expectations, and they set out on a life of adventure together. Their imperfect yet loving relationship is an inspiration to us all, and Bohr portrays how even the most significant challenges can lead to profound learning experiences. This reflective memoir encourages readers to accept their limitations while also exploring the boundaries they impose on their lives. It is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration to push beyond their own limitations and explore life's possibilities.

The Twenty: One Woman's Trek Across Corsica on the GR20 Trail is a memoir and travelogue by Marianne C. Bohr. In the book, Bohr recounts how she and her husband Joe celebrated their upcoming 60th birthdays by hiking across the Mediterranean island of Corsica in 2016. They aimed to complete the challenging 124-mile hike along the Grande Randonée number 20, colloquially known as The Twenty, to recapture some of the memories and feelings of youth that they had experienced while backpacking around Europe in their younger years. The memoir documents each day of the journey, offering insight into what it means to be growing older and the reality that while there are limitations, there are also alternative ways to the successful completion of an objective.

My grandmother once told me that the worst part of aging is that she became invisible. She has a story about shopping for lingerie at a high-end retailer and was asked who she was buying a gift for. The thirty-something-year-old sales associate could not comprehend that she was buying lovely undies for herself. I recalled this while reading The Twenty by Marianne C. Bohr, and even though hiking to the third floor of a mall isn't the same as the GR20, the fact of Bohr challenging unflattering views on aging felt personal to me. Bohr and Joe's multi-month training for the hike was accomplished, dramatically strengthening their bodies, minds, and spirits. Her writing describes Corsica's rugged terrain in an almost cinematic portrayal, its stunning beauty, and the hazards it poses. Bohr shares candid insight on her past experiences and how they have helped her to evolve as a person, and the great, good, and not-so-good aspects of a life shared in a three-decade-plus partnership with Joe. The Twenty is a valuable read for anyone seeking inspiration for personal growth and change. It highlights the potential for transformation and serves as a testament to the power of perseverance. Very highly recommended.