Travel writing often takes us to unfamiliar landscapes, strange towns, and off-beat roads where every turn promises a new tale. Few authors, however, blend the soul of travel with personal emotion and poetic reflection as intimately as Jonny Blair does in Starogard Girl: This Is The Next Century Volume 2. This compelling narrative is more than a travel memoir — it is a tapestry of journeys, love, identity, and the way unexpected encounters can shape a traveller’s path.
Available now on Amazon, Starogard Girl: This Is The Next Century Volume 2 captures not only physical distance but emotional depth and reflection through a globetrotter’s eyes:
Introducing the Book and the Author
Jonny Blair, a Northern Irish travel writer and seasoned backpacker, has lived many lives within one. Born in Newtownards and raised in Bangor, Northern Ireland, Blair has spent decades exploring the far corners of the world. From Bangladesh to Lesotho, from Antarctica to Transnistria, he has documented life beyond mainstream travel destinations, bringing readers unique perspectives on the places less travelled. Starogard Girl is Blair’s second volume in the This Is The Next Century series, which follows his journey between his 100th and 200th country.
Published in August 2024, this volume marks a significant moment in Blair’s career, as he completes and releases a project that had been years in the making. The book spans experiences from 2014 to late 2017, capturing a period of cultural exploration and intense personal growth.
A Story of Travel, Mystique, and Human Connection
At its core, Starogard Girl is propelled not just by geography but by a fleeting yet deeply resonant human connection. The narrative revolves around Blair’s serendipitous encounter with a woman from Starogard Gdański — a town in northern Poland. This woman, whom Blair refers to as the “Starogard Girl,” leaves a lasting imprint on his life. She enters his travels like a mystery, a muse, and a potent symbol of longing and influence.
Blair’s prose transforms her from a mere character into an emotional compass guiding parts of the journey. She is described with charm and allure, her influence echoing through the chapters like a refrain. The metaphorical use of her presence elevates the book beyond a simple travelogue — it becomes a reflection on how people can shape the narrative of our lives even when they are transient.
Structure & Style: A Unique Literary Blend
Starogard Girl is unconventional in structure. Rather than a linear itinerary-based narrative, it reads like a collage — a fusion of memoir, poetry, anecdote, and philosophical reflection. The chapters are episodic, each representing a snapshot of a different time, place, or state of mind.
Blair’s style is candid and deeply personal. He writes with a raw honesty that allows readers to see the world through his eyes — not just the physical landscapes, but the inner landscapes of emotion, doubt, and discovery. The narrative shifts from bustling cities to silent roads, from humorous travel mishaps to moments of deep introspection.
This intimate blend makes the book feel less like a guide and more like a conversation — one in which Blair is both sharing and questioning, observing and feeling. The poetic tone, especially when describing the Starogard Girl, emphasises not just what is seen, but what is felt.
Themes: Beyond Borders
Several major themes emerge throughout the book:
1. Travel as Identity Formation
Blair’s travels are not merely physical; they are transformations. Each location — whether it’s the far reaches of Senegal or the historical streets of Starogard Gdański — reflects a different aspect of his internal growth. Travel becomes a way of understanding oneself as much as understanding the world around them.
2. The Role of Memory and Places
The book frequently revisits the concept of memory — how places become symbols, how moments become embedded in the psyche, and how fleeting experiences become permanent in recollection. Starogard becomes more than a place; it becomes an emotional node connecting various threads of life.
3. Influence of Human Connection
The “Starogard Girl” herself is emblematic of the fleeting power of human connection. She is both real and symbolic — a person who catalyses change, reflection, and wandering introspection. Blair’s portrayal avoids melodrama; instead, it feels honest and reflective, capturing the kind of emotional density that many travellers feel but few articulate.
Highlights and Memorable Passages
Although the book resists traditional classification, readers will find numerous memorable moments — from gritty, real-world backpacking experiences across continents to philosophical musings framed by simple encounters. Blair’s travel anecdotes hold visceral realism, while his introspective passages offer moments of quiet contemplation.
For example, the recurring reflection on how the Starogard Girl’s presence permeates his journeys — even in places she never physically appears — underscores the power of memory and emotional impact in travel writing. The interplay between humour and heartache also adds depth, ensuring that the narrative remains engaging without feeling superficial.
Reader Experience: Reflections and Takeaways
For readers who love travel literature that goes beyond superficial descriptions of places, Starogard Girl is refreshing. Blair’s voice is authentic — the kind that feels like a seasoned traveller speaking over coffee, not a guidebook reciting facts.
This book will resonate especially with:
- Travel enthusiasts who appreciate personal narratives over strict itineraries
- Readers who enjoy introspective storytelling mixed with worldly experience
- Anyone curious about how travel shapes human perspective and emotional resonance
Blair’s unfiltered takes and the deeply human focus ensure that this is not just a book about destinations, but about the traveller’s evolving relationship with the world.
Comparisons and Context
In a genre where many books focus narrowly on locations or practical tips, Starogard Girl stands out for its literary ambition. It blends traditional travel memoir with experimental narrative techniques, similar to how some travel bloggers and writers push the boundaries of the genre.
For those interested in broader travel narratives and community insights, resources like Don’t Stop Living provide additional stories and perspectives from Blair’s life as a travel writer and blogger — a context that enriches the reading experience of Starogard Girl.
Where to Get the Book
If you’re intrigued by this blend of travel and emotional exploration, Starogard Girl: This Is The Next Century Volume 2 is available on Amazon. You can purchase it here:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/Starogard-Girl-This-Next-Century/dp/1445207311
This link directs you to the latest edition of the book, published in August 2024, which continues Blair’s broader This Is The Next Century travel series
Final Thoughts
Starogard Girl is not a typical travel memoir. It is a deeply personal journey that uses travel as a backdrop for emotional exploration and human connection. Jonny Blair writes with candour, charm, and a willingness to reflect that invites readers to think about travel as both a physical journey and a psychological exploration.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or someone who loves literary journeys through lived experience, this book offers a unique perspective that lingers beyond the final page. It’s a narrative that celebrates the unpredictability of travel and the profound effects people can have on our paths — even when they are only briefly in our lives.
