Book Review: Seven Blank Pages by Whitney Joy

Reviewed by Erin Britton

A globe-trotting quest to find purpose and heal spiritual wounds

Part memoir, part travelogue, and part spiritual self-help guide, Whitney Joy’s Seven Blank Pages chronicles the author’s journey—both literal and metaphorical—from the depths of despair and disaster to the highs of self-acceptance and understanding. Through her story, Joy offers inspiration to others seeking to rescue themselves via exploration and discovery.

Joy’s unexpected adventure begins with a fractured and sprained ankle, which is acquired while descending La Plata Peak in Colorado’s Sawatch Range. Despite a lifetime of adventure sports and athletic endeavors having left her no stranger to physical injuries, this particular mishap has deeply unexpected consequences.

First, there is new tension in an otherwise happy marriage. “Though my husband was always ready with nourishing food and fresh icepacks, he wasn’t exactly thrilled about trading his usual role of patient for that of caregiver.” Joy’s husband, unnamed but still a strong presence in her narrative, is a professional snowboarder while she works in luxury jewelry. “My job financially provided for our life, and his kept us pushing our limits.”

Then there’s the increasingly clear incompatibility between their work schedules and their attitudes to risk. “Despite his quiet protests, my job continued to pull me east to host events, and even after tragic avalanches killed a number of our friends, he still ventured into the backcountry, chasing fresh snow.” As these differences continue to manifest, Joy realizes that she doesn’t want to continue living the same life in the same place forever.

“They say everything you want is on the other side of fear.” In Joy’s case, the first thing on the other side of fear is the dissolution of her marriage. The conflict she feels about this is palpable, and the passages in which she describes how they go about separating their lives are quite moving. Both parties certainly have faults, and Joy adopts a clear-sighted perspective on these aspects.

The split means having to leave her home. And even worse, the day after Joy moves out, her employer decides to restructure and eliminate her role. “The world went into slow motion like one of those action movies in which a bomb detonates or a car plunges underwater.” With no husband, no home, and no job, Joy ponders on what to do next, manically laughing about embarking on a “potential odyssey of self-discovery.”

Experiencing so many major changes in such a short space of time initially leave her bereft: “All my belief systems had been shattered—work hard, trust you are valued, love will prevail. I was confused.” The anger, confusion, and lethargy Joy feels are very relatable emotions, and it’s impossible not to be shocked by what she faces. Fortunately, even in her darkness moments, she retains her “anything is possible” mentality.

Ultimately, Joy decides that the only way to move forward is to travel, as far and wide as possible, aiming to do so until the seven blank pages remaining in her passport are full, and then she will settle in New York and restart her career. It’s a bold decision, and fittingly; the part of Seven Blank Pages that details her travels is more action-packed and compelling than the part establishing what led up to her departure.

Joy’s first port of call is Nice, France, where she notes that “brimming with optimism. I could do anything I wanted.” And what she wants is to thoroughly explore the city and its surroundings, immersing herself in the atmosphere and environment. Joy’s evocative descriptions and enthusiastic recollections really bring her experiences to life, prompting a sense of wanderlust.

From Nice, she continues her delightfully unplanned and unscheduled trip with visits to Cannes (including a high-end sex club), Verbier, Paris, Sicily, Cefalù, and many more places besides. As she travels the world in search of peace, enlightenment, and a spot of romance, Joy vividly describes the people she meets and the sights she sees. Her enthusiasm for the endeavor continues to shine through.

These travelogue aspects of Seven Blank Pages work really well, being simultaneously engaging, surprising, and sometimes, a little troubling. Joy has a good eye for detail and local color, and her bravery and willingness to go with the flow are certainly inspiring. The reproduced dialogue doesn’t always live up to the descriptions and inner monologue, but it does provide interesting perspectives on her encounters and thought processes.

As she travels the world, Joy also pursues a journey of self-actualization. This allows her to expand on her understanding of manifestation, spirit guides, transcendental meditation, the fundamental truths of existence, and other spiritual aspects. This non-material, other-worldly dimension elevates the book beyond being a memoir–travelogue, introducing a self-help aspect that widens its appeal.

Similar to the geographical and historical information provided in Seven Blank Pages, Joy’s discourse on matters of religion and spirituality is not in-depth but it is thought-provoking. The way that she turns the various hardships she experiences into avenues for growth and development is motivating, and her honest account of what she goes through illustrates the power of recovery and reconciliation.

Seven Blank Pages is an energizing account and an inspiring journey in search of the self. The experiences Joy relates are likely to prompt both wanderlust and reflection, and her worldwide bounce-back shows that, with the right mindset, it is possible to accomplish pretty much anything.

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