The poem behind the novel

The title - Paths Not Yet Taken - is a nod to the poem The Road Not Taken, which was written by American poet Robert Frost around 1915 after spending three years in England. 

During his time in England, Frost went on walks with his good friend, the writer Edward Thomas, and was amused by Thomas's indecision when faced with the option of more than one track to follow. Thomas would inevitably fret about what had been missed by not taking the other path - a choice he felt could never be rectified as one thing would lead to another and backtracking was impossible.

The poem is a favourite of many, who believe it promotes the idea of following your own path and making your choices in life accordingly. Others say the poem is ironic and is critical of people who spend more time wondering what they have missed, rather than celebrating what they have.

Frost sent an advance copy of the poem to Thomas. The English writer took the poem to heart and was unhappy when Frost claimed it was a joke.

However, Frost was also known to say he was never more serious than when he was joking.

Whatever your interpretation of The Road Not Taken, choice in life is inevitable and decisions have to be made - the key theme in Paths Not Yet Taken.

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