Reader reviews and ratings:
"This book differs markedly from the usual travelogue descriptions of journeys abroad. Yes, it does contain descriptive text and pictures of the wonderful places the author visited, stunning views and wildlife, but it is so much more than that. It is a journey of self-discovery, a new beginning following a period of difficulty in the author’s life, told from a very personal, heart and soul, point of view. Although an ‘organised’ adventure to Antarctica, there were many personal challenges faced by the author, great and small. As a retired aircraft accident investigator and pilot of some 30 years, I can fully appreciate how difficult and good it can be to face up to and overcome one's personal fears, physical and emotional challenges. Written in English, not the author’s native language, this book has a charming and different style. It is a good and satisfying read. Join her adventure and enjoy."
Peter Thomas Claiden, C Eng, FRAeS, OBE
"Gabriella Guglielminotti Trivel has bared her soul in this writing journey of life where she confronts her physical and mental capacities face on, stretching them to what seem like never-ending limits. This book will surprise you, delight you, inspire you and strengthen your resolve to get as much out of life as Gabriella.
Reading this book you will learn that hardships are there to be overcome, life offers opportunities in forms that maybe one would not anticipate and fear of the unknown can be fear of oneself. Gabriella snatched her life by the horns, wrestled with it and came out the other side an adventurer, a writer and a philosopher, with an open and positive attitude challenged to the extremes by her journey. Read it and realise life is out there – you need not travel to the white continent or emulate this plucky lady’s adventure; start mapping out your new life by reading this book. It has hidden depths."
Catherine Parker, freelance writer/editor and reiki practitioner
"For anyone who fancies a trip to Antarctica, this is a 'must-read'. Gabriella gives the reader a real feel for the potential trials and tribulations they might face, both physically and emotionally. She shares her adventures with engaging honesty, never ducking any issues that show her in a less than perfect light, which personally I found rather endearing. As Gabriella writes towards the end of her book: "Adventure is an inner journey - it is not a geographical conquest." I felt as if I was a fellow traveller, sharing her experiences. The photographs are glorious - from the intimate moments to the sheer majesty of the landscape. A book of inner and outer exploration, full of Gabriella's personal insights."
Jane Noble Knight, aka The Pilgrim Mother www.thepilgrimmother.com
"I would recommend this wonderful account of how Gabriella went to the end of the world to find herself. It is both fascinating for the description of the Antarctic and also her insights and spiritual growth as she encounters challenges and adventures on her voyage of self-discovery and empowerment. Her courageous spirit shines through as she shares her fears and joys whilst opening her heart in this amazing awakening to her purpose and soul as she travels and discovers her truth and shares her wisdom."
Sheila Crouch, holistic practitioner, speaker and workshop facilitator, www.sheilacrouch.com
"A truly inspiring story of one woman's determination to test herself physically, mentally and emotionally, this book charts the journey of Gabriella's ten-day adventure through Antarctica, where she learned more about herself and human nature while climbing walls of ice and jumping into a frozen sea than anywhere else on earth, and where the unforgiving yet spectacularly beautiful, mesmerising landscape changed her own inner world forever.
Part travelogue, part personal memoir, the book is littered with gems of spiritual wisdom, gleaned from Gabriella's icy adventure, upon which we can all reflect: that the mind is like a wild horse in need of taming; to let go of things not that important after all; that life is formed by many moments, and doesn't just ride upon the success or failure of one; and, perhaps most importantly, that we needn't drown in a sea of information when the answers we seek are within us.
As with all good things, Gabriella saves the best, most thought-provoking nugget of alchemical gold until last - you'll have to read it to find that out for yourself!"
Katy Louise Evans, editor of Soul & Spirit magazine and spiritual blog www.whatkatylouisedid.com
"Gabriella Guglielminotti Trivel meets challenges head on, from the difficulties with her somewhat complex name, through to her utter determination to achieve no matter what. Italian by birth, Gabriella clearly demonstrates that writing in a foreign language is just one more challenge to be overcome. But perhaps most importantly, Gabriella’s account shows her determination to learn more about herself from her experiences and to share that learning with others.
Gabriella’s autobiographical tale is really about the personal lessons she has taken from her Antarctic expedition, telling us, for example, that:
'The most challenging things are not always the most obviously daring ones. Sometimes the most insignificant ones are the real challenge for us, because they are so tiny and anonymous. They happen every day without us realising them and keep reinforcing the pattern in our unconscious mind, so watch out!'
The book is beautifully illustrated with some superb shots of the wildlife and of the ice. There are also pictures of the expedition clowning around, playing music, and generally relaxing. But the ones that illustrate the rigours of the journey are the ones that show the strains on people’s faces, as they face the weather, erect tents and traverse the ice.
This book really does illustrate Gabriella’s principle that: Life is a journey of the heart. The mind is only a helper, and the soul is the adventurer."
Julie Furnivall, consultant, trainer and researcher www.furnivallassociates.co.uk
"Gabriella's book had a deep impact on me. As I read the story of her adventure into the Antarctic I could feel my soul's excitement at the new journey I'm about to embark on. Through connecting with her words I felt inspired to open myself to new possibilities, new possibilities that are created when you follow your heart, your dreams, your truth. If you are reluctant, maybe a bit frightened to try something new, then reading Gabriella's story will give you the strength to take a leap into the unknown, and a journey inwards to discover your strength and fortitude. I would highly recommend this book".
Sandy Robson, hypnotherapist, www.sandyrobsonhypnotherapy.com
"Gabriella's first book is a delight to read. This is a woman speaking from her heart, relating the story of a journey of excitement, expectation, fear, and discovery. Clearly no 'ordinary' woman (being imbued with a sense of adventure and independence), she sets off to fulfil a dream. On the way she meets many challenges, suffers disappointment and surprise, joy and exhaustion, and yet manages to draw a useful life lesson from every incident; she sets an example for us all. This is an engaging book from an engaging author."
Jean Paul
"Gabriella's Antarctic adventure is 'the purest' and most refreshing literary portrait of self discovery that I have read so far. Her journey to the ice of Antarctica is a woman's extraordinary discovery of awakening to her true beauty and boundless potential through the glorious but tough embrace of Mother Nature, the animal kingdom and her fellow comrades on the journey.
With her sharp mind and the most exquisite 'out of the box' Italian sense of humour, she navigates the complex terrain of parental and societal conditioning and her courage beautifully demonstrates to us a path of liberation to free our mind, empower our soul and drop our masks to walk in alignment with the wisdom of our hearts."
Christiane Pedros, founder of Quantum Leap Studios, Conscious Media Productions, www.quantumleapstudios.com
“I agree with the other reviewers and also think there are some hidden gems in this book in the form of some very succinct and quotable insights plus quotations from others that are refreshingly different from the same old ones that get so overused by lazy authors.”
Carl French, editor in chief at The Endless Bookcase
Average rating:
11 reviews
Nov 6, 2017
An Amazing Capturing of the Antarctic
Gabriella Guglielminotti Trivel proved to be far more than an author in this unforgettable recapture of her experience in the Antarctic. "Antarctic Odyssey: A New Beginning" is a gifted treasure for readers because it allows us to to experience nature in a way we would never experience it anywhere else. I am so thankful she shared her journey because it opened up my heart, spirit and mind to appreciate life and nature more than I did prior to reading this book. The photography is breathtaking and surreal. The spontaneous wisdom instantly gained just by being there is remarkable. To think, you get it just by picking up a book because she shares it all with us. When you finish reading "Antarctic Odyssey: A New Beginning", you can silently say I have experienced the wonderment of the Antarctic, thank you Gabriella!
Sep 20, 2016
Amazing
Antarctic Odyssey, a new beginning is a beautiful, honest and inspired work.
A gorgeous tale of a journey to one of the most beautiful places in the world described with sensitivity and beauty.
And is much more than that, it also invite us to accompany Gabriella in a profound and exciting inner journey, the courageous odyssey into one's heart and mind.
A path few are brave enough to consciously travel.
Gabriella has done it, and came out the other side empowered and free.
Sep 10, 2015
An adventurer at heart
Most women during times of emotional stress and change would consider a retreat maybe in Bali etc., not Gabriella, who through synchronicity chooses Antarctica to find herself. The journal is of an adventurer at heart, who took the opportunity to travel to Antarctica and who chronicles the journey of her private thoughts of dealing with a new and unknown territory, and the challenges that arose during this time. This book in many respects is an encouragement for everyone to live their life with a sense of adventure, to face their fears and change their destiny, or play with their destiny with a sense of adventure. Learning to live with synchronicity she began experiencing life on a daily basis as a more magical experience and one that falls into place far easily.
Gabriella purposely put herself in a new environment that created situations to learn and experience from, growing through the unexpected challenges. The point for the trip was to gain the opportunity to move out of her comfort zone, and have things out of the norm happen to her. Throughout the book key points are made about how to live life in a more adventurous mode, from playing, and being more flexible, to letting go, and being creative, and why allowing those things to happen matters, and can lead to a more truer experience of life.
Jun 18, 2013
Raw and reak
I read Gabriella's book in one sitting - she creates a fast paced, dynamic, intriguing and reflective book. Her joy, determination and enthusiasm are infectious and her insights throughout the course of the book relevant to every reader. I found myself experiencing the nature of the Antarctic almost with the depth she did, or at least I gained something significant from her open hearted embrace of Nature in is most real and raw. The power of Nature in this environment, from her camping trip where they heard the cracking of the ice throughout the night, to the calving of icebergs nearby, crashed through loud and clear.
Apr 4, 2013
Antartic Odessey
I really enjoyed the journey both of the voyage to the end of the world and the personal insights of the author's own spiritual voyage into untested areas of herself and how she discovered and shares her experiences. A great read and lesson in life's adventure.
