Our book of the month is The Old Ways by Robert Macfarlane. We give you our Big Review below.
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The Old Ways – the blurb
Following the tracks, holloways, drove-roads and sea paths that form part of a vast ancient network of routes criss-crossing the British Isles and beyond, Robert Macfarlane discovers a lost world – a landscape of the feet and the mind, of pilgrimage and ritual, of stories and ghosts; above all of the places and journeys which inspire and inhabit our imaginations.
Come walk with me
The Old Ways is split in to sections – Chalk, Gneiss, Granite, reflecting the area upon which Macfarlane walks. Along the way he meets friends who are as varied as the landscape they love. They all have one thing in common however, they are all unadulterated nature lovers. Way more than my ‘lets walk a couple of miles then stop for a picnic’ type. Macfarlane thinks nothing of walking 30 miles before stripping off his shirt and shoes to absorb the last of the suns rays (does this man even live in England?) then sleeping literally wherever he stops – a hollow in a beehive. next to a burial mound.
I enjoyed reading about the areas I had been lucky enough to visit but found I already knew key facts such as Lews Castle being built from drug money or the Coffin Roads on Harris. I can appreciate those unfamiliar with the areas would take away those little nuggets, storing them for future dinner party trivia.
Devil’s in the detail
Macfarlane picks some interesting paths (the most dangerous in Britain certainly raises an eyebrow) and his turn of phrase can often be quite beautiful “A grouse exploded away from the heather a yard from my feet, a drag-queen slur of red above each eye”. I am not however a nature expert and whilst there was a glossary at the rear of the book I often felt out of my depth. I could have stopped to Google ‘skua’s eggs’ or ‘a peak called Griomabhal’ but I don’t like to do this as I find it takes me out of the book and I can’t settle to the rhythm. This left me with an overall understanding but not the nitty gritty.
I judge similar books on how much I want to go and visit the places the author refers. Bill Bryson sets the bar highly as a non walker/non nature expert who sets off to see what he finds and eats as many biscuits as he gets blisters. For those who read nature, eat, breathe and sleep it you will love Macfarlane (if you haven’t already read them all). For those like me you may need a re-read.
Get Involved
If you would like to get involved with our Book Of The Month try answering our Book Club questions published every month. Just search in our footnotes section for the ‘Get Involved’ articles. We review a new book every month so keep your eyes peeled for the Lowdown on April’s book of the month soon.