The Sunset Route

Freight Trains, Forgiveness, and Freedom on the Rails in the American West

By: Carrot Quinn

Narrated by: Erin Spencer

Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

The unforgettable story of one woman who leaves behind her hardscrabble childhood in Alaska to travel the country via freight train — a beautiful memoir about forgiveness, self-discovery, and the redemptive power of nature, perfect for fans of Wild or Educated.

Named One of the Best Books of the Year by The Philadelphia Inquirer • “An urgent read. A courageous life. Quinn’s story burns through us and bleeds beauty on every page.” (Noé Álvarez, author of Spirit Run: A 6,000-Mile Marathon Through North America’s Stolen Land)

After a childhood marked by neglect, poverty, and periods of homelessness, with a mother who believed herself to be the reincarnation of the Virgin Mary, Carrot Quinn moved out on her own. She found a sense of belonging among straight-edge anarchists who taught her how to traverse the country by freight trains, sleep in fields under the stars, and feed herself by foraging in dumpsters. Her new life was one of thrilling adventure and freedom, but still she was haunted by the ghosts of her lonely and traumatic childhood.

The Sunset Route is a powerful and brazenly honest adventure memoir set in the unseen corners of the United States — in the Alaskan cold, on trains rattling through forests and deserts, as well as in low-income apartments and crowded punk houses — following a remarkable protagonist who has witnessed more tragedy than she thought she could ever endure and who must learn to heal her own heart. Ultimately, it is a meditation on the natural world as a spiritual anchor, and on the ways that forgiveness can set us free.

©2021 Carrot Quinn (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"This beautiful memoir of forgiveness, redemption, and the power of the human spirit is more important than ever before. Carrot Quinn’s story is one of bravery writ large, of our ability and inclination to save ourselves in the face of trauma, anchored and steadied by the mundane magnificence of the natural world. I was captivated by it.” (Elissa Altman, author of Motherland)

“An intimate memoir of loneliness and hope.” (Kirkus)

“The Sunset Route is a captivating tale of hope and profound courage. Carrot Quinn tells her story with unflinching honesty and grit, illuminating the magic and majesty of the landscapes of the American West. The story unfolds like an adventure on every page. I felt the railways rumble beneath me and the cold wind blow through my hair and had to remind myself to breathe. Carrot Quinn’s brave spirit shines as a bright reminder that what lies within us is stronger and more powerful than any circumstance. The Sunset Route is as inspiring as it is heartbreaking. By the end, I wanted to stand up and cheer for Quinn as she carved her own path to redemption.” (Ruth Wariner, author of the New York Times best seller The Sound of Gravel)

Wow a heartbreaking & ultimately beautiful story

This is a great companion to "Thru Hiking Will.Break Your Heart". Really inspiring how Carot turns a chilhood filled with pain into a lifetime of adventure.

A beautiful and vulnerable work.

What a beautiful and vulnerable memoir. It is a gift that carrot Quinn has the courage to share themselves in this way.

U go Carrot

Haha….. a joy to hear and a great read without over dramatization. Especially for people that feel under privileged to the point of exhaustion. Go figure it out like Carrot rather than be defeated and depressed by pity. Carrots are good for the eyes!

Sad that it's over! Another great one from Carrot!

This book is a beautiful tender mix of entertaining adventure stories, heart breaking memories of a childhood filled with insecurity and trauma, and the roller coaster journey of figuring yourself out and finding the family you need. I have been a huge fan of Carrot's writing for years and devour every book, blog post, Instagram caption, and dispatch from the trail. Its great to read this wonderful engaging writing and get to be part of her life for a little while. Even if you haven't read anything from her before you will love this book. I highly recommend it!

Wonderful story from an extremely interesting author

Such a good story. Wild times, hard relationships. Highly recommended. Carrot's words are just beautiful.

loved it

I first read the Hiking book, and I really enjoyed it. it's something that I have always wanted to do, and hope to do sometime. When I saw that she had another book, I did not hesitate. I identified with some of her pain and frustration. This book did not disappoint.

Loved this book

The plot is not complicated. So if you’re the person that likes a lot of action then this might not be a book. I however loved it. Her narration is fabulous and I just couldn’t put it down.

Give us some more

A page turner - good for you Carrot. Keep going you have found your niche, very good story teller.

Not my usual book

not the kind of book I usually read but I seriously enjoyed it. it was a very personal journey that she shared, you should plan to shoplift a copy today.

Difficult to stop listening

Carrot is an extremely talented writer. Her book, Through Hiking will break your heart was recommended to me and I loved it. I was intrigued by the few references she made about her life and immediately looked to see if she had written more. My only regret is this book ended too soon. I hope she keeps writing. She has become a favorite author of audiobooks for me. Which motivates me to walk several miles a few times each day so I can continue to listen! ❣️