The Well at the World’s End
When A.J. Mackinnon quits his job in Australia, he knows only that he longs to travel to the Well at the World’s End, a mysterious pool on a remote Scottish island whose waters, legend has it, hold the secret to eternal youth.
Determined not to fly (‘It would feel like cheating’), he sets out with a rucksack, some fireworks and a map of the world and trusts chance to take care of the rest. By land and by sea, by train, truck, horse and yacht, he makes his way across the globe – and through a series of hilarious adventures. He survives a bus crash in Australia, marries a princess in Laos, is attacked by Komodo dragons and does time in a Chinese jail. The next lift – or the next near-miss – is always just a happy accident away.
This is the astonishing true story of a remarkable voyage, an old-fashioned quest by a modern-day adventurer.
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Praise for The Well at the World’s End:
‘A funny and dangerous journey that highlights Mackinnon’s knack for finding adventure … a delight.’ — The Herald Sun
‘Mackinnon is essentially a solitary traveller. Like many of literature’s solitary travellers, he makes great company.’ — Australian Book Review
‘[A] funny and spirited book … [Mackinnon’s] magnificent foolhardiness has given him some of his best stories.’ — The Age
‘A charming and beautifully written chronicle of life on the road.’ — The Advertiser
“a wonderful book...warm, humorous and entertaining”. - Crikey
“One of the most enjoyable books I have ever read....a marvellous read by a travel writer with a unique style.” - Canberra Times
‘This is a wonderful book … it’s the sort of story you want to share. The writing is warm, humorous and entertaining.’ — Bookseller & Publisher
‘There is an illicit and vicarious pleasure in reading the details of another traveller’s follies, mistakes and near death experiences … A fascinating story.’ — Good Reading Magazine
‘Travel literature either makes your feet itch or settles you down in a comfy chair with a Scotch handy. A.J. Mackinnon’s book belongs to the latter variety … his narrative should please the vicarious traveller.’ — The Sunday Age
‘Charming’ — The Sunday Mail
‘An amazing story’ —Richard Aedy, The Book Show blog, ABC Radio National
Awards:
Shortlisted, Indie Awards 2011
Interviews and Reviews:
A.J. Mackinnon is the author of The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow and The Well at the World's End. He was born in Australia in 1963 and he spent his childhood between England and Australia, traveling as a small boy with his family on the last P&O liners to sail between the two countries.
His interests include painting, philosophy, writing, conjuring and home-made fireworks. He is currently a teacher at the Timbertop campus of Geelong Grammar.
