Caravan of No Despair

By Mirabai Starr,

Book cover of Caravan of No Despair: A Memoir of Loss and Transformation

Book description

On the day her first book came out-a new translation of Dark Night of the Soul by Saint John of the Cross-Mirabai Starr's daughter, Jenny, was killed in a car accident. "My spiritual life began the day my daughter died," writes Mirabai. Even with decades of spiritual practice and a…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Caravan of No Despair as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Starr infuses her language with lyricism and in-your-face honesty. She opened a window for me into the counterculture of the 1970s as a bright young daughter of nomadic parents, landing in Taos among intellectuals and spiritual seekers.

Death crashes into the story in the opening pages with her child’s death and pervades it throughout. It offered me courage to write my own parenting story: fear, mistakes, devastation included. Starr doesn’t hold taboos, facing death, drugs, abuse, and despair as she unveils her story of unfolding adolescence to motherhood.

I felt like I’d kicked off my shoes and tucked my legs…

Want books like Caravan of No Despair?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Caravan of No Despair.

Browse books like Caravan of No Despair

Book cover of The Glass Castle
Book cover of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Book cover of The Liars' Club

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,355

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in spirituality, self-actualization, and counterculture?

Spirituality 318 books
Self-Actualization 230 books
Counterculture 38 books