The Elegant Hustler

"My darling mother used to say to be well travelled and well read is a very good beginning. I'm not very well read, sadly... but I think travel is the most important thing because it's like going inside a live book. The world is so huge and I've got to hurry up..." Warm, witty, and deeply moving, this memoir sees Celia set off on her greatest adventures by rail and sail, discovering how slower, more thoughtful journeys can offer a different way of seeing the world. Told through Celia's window, wherever that window happens to be, these stories move from epic voyages to small, cherished moments closer to home. Whether she is tracing the lives of GI wives across America, sailing aboard the Queen Mary 2 for the first time, filming The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in India, or sharing a beloved train buffet with her best friend and companion Fidelis on the journey home from Frinton, this is a book about a lifetime of wandering and wondering, with snacks very much included. Alongside joyful escapades, Celia reflects on poignant memories and entertaining stories from every chapter of her life. With diary entries, photographs, and treasured mementos woven throughout, the book becomes an immersive celebration of travel's power to enrich, comfort, and connect. Told with Celia's warmth and humour, this is a love letter to adventure, friendship, life the slow lane, and the enduring joy of seeing the world with curiosity and heart.