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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
slow-paced
A series of diary entries that Roger wrote over his lifetime. This is a collected series of entries that have been published posthumously. The notes are wonderful, full of hidden revelations (Roger once wrote that his best friends popped up like weeds, stringy, fast growing and don't need maintenance) We discover soft, sad, humorous and ponderous moments in the writers too-short life. A great treasure of a book.
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Canonical for me. Sharp prose with unique insight. Much on cats, living, being with nature. All immaculately expressed.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
I took my time with this book, so as to savor it. As essentially a collection of Deakin's diary entries prior to his death, there isn't a lot of structure. So taking it in little bits feels more natural, like an extended exchange of letters with him. As good as this book is, it can't really compare to [b:Wildwood: A Journey through Trees|1344371|Wildwood A Journey through Trees|Roger Deakin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1182883358s/1344371.jpg|1333971].
Dnf 25%
Idk... it felt like a lot of rambling and I felt really bored.
Tho I really hoped I would love this one
Idk... it felt like a lot of rambling and I felt really bored.
Tho I really hoped I would love this one
As a naturalist you hope never to lose your virginity, always to be looking with wonder, to remain innocent, wide-eyed.
A very very beautiful book. The care with which Deakin observes the world around him is inspiring to me as a writer, sure, as a keeper of notebooks, as a walker and a swimmer; but even more inspiring to me as a human being. We need more Roger Deakins in this world and I am mourning the loss of a man I never knew.
UEA's library is currently closed to non-students but as soon as they reopen, I'm going to go and view Deakin's archive, flip through the notebooks from which this lovely book was put together.
I'm not lonely here because I feel so connected to the trees, the house, the meadows, the birds, the insects. I also feel connected to my friends. But I believe that so many people are so cut off from all the other things, the trees, etc. that it is good to make a small compensating gesture in my life and relate to them if I can.
A very very beautiful book. The care with which Deakin observes the world around him is inspiring to me as a writer, sure, as a keeper of notebooks, as a walker and a swimmer; but even more inspiring to me as a human being. We need more Roger Deakins in this world and I am mourning the loss of a man I never knew.
UEA's library is currently closed to non-students but as soon as they reopen, I'm going to go and view Deakin's archive, flip through the notebooks from which this lovely book was put together.
I'm not lonely here because I feel so connected to the trees, the house, the meadows, the birds, the insects. I also feel connected to my friends. But I believe that so many people are so cut off from all the other things, the trees, etc. that it is good to make a small compensating gesture in my life and relate to them if I can.
There is something exciting about reading somebodies diary or thoughts for a day, I don't know if Roger was considering publishing them or not but I'm glad they did. From the opening paragraph you can see why he is considered one of the great nature writers:
"1st January
I am lying full length on my belly on frozen snow and frosty tussocks in the railway wood blowing like a dragon into the wigwam of a fire at the core of a tangled blackthorn bonfire. I am clearing the blackthorn suckers that march out from the hedge like the army in Macbeth, the marching wood, threatening to overwhelm the whole wood in their dense, spiny thicket"
That was the first thing he wrote that year, it instantly grabs the readers attention and the book flows wonderfully after that. You get more thoughts, poems, memories from trips, a run-down on work carried out that day and regular updates on his cats. At times he can be very philosophical, asking those questions that have never crossed your mind.
For a while I was sensing a sadness to the writing, he came across as being lonely living so far away from friends and barely mentioning his family. Then once you realise that it is more a oneness with nature the whole books seems to brighten slightly.
Some favourite parts for me were rescuing a young hedgehog that was too weak to hibernate and his rants about so many outsiders moving in and not caring for the surrounding area, just spend their time driving around in their armoured 4WDs. Finally a weird moment, I read a paragraph just before going out and Roger sees a Speckled Wood Butterfly at his window, 45min I then saw my first ever Speckled Wood.
This is a brilliant book and if I ever get asked the question "Pick one writer from history you have dinner with then it would be Roger Deakin"
Blog post is here> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2018/04/20/notes-from-walnut-tree-farm-by-roger-deakin/
"1st January
I am lying full length on my belly on frozen snow and frosty tussocks in the railway wood blowing like a dragon into the wigwam of a fire at the core of a tangled blackthorn bonfire. I am clearing the blackthorn suckers that march out from the hedge like the army in Macbeth, the marching wood, threatening to overwhelm the whole wood in their dense, spiny thicket"
That was the first thing he wrote that year, it instantly grabs the readers attention and the book flows wonderfully after that. You get more thoughts, poems, memories from trips, a run-down on work carried out that day and regular updates on his cats. At times he can be very philosophical, asking those questions that have never crossed your mind.
For a while I was sensing a sadness to the writing, he came across as being lonely living so far away from friends and barely mentioning his family. Then once you realise that it is more a oneness with nature the whole books seems to brighten slightly.
Some favourite parts for me were rescuing a young hedgehog that was too weak to hibernate and his rants about so many outsiders moving in and not caring for the surrounding area, just spend their time driving around in their armoured 4WDs. Finally a weird moment, I read a paragraph just before going out and Roger sees a Speckled Wood Butterfly at his window, 45min I then saw my first ever Speckled Wood.
This is a brilliant book and if I ever get asked the question "Pick one writer from history you have dinner with then it would be Roger Deakin"
Blog post is here> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2018/04/20/notes-from-walnut-tree-farm-by-roger-deakin/
I have been reading this book slowly over this year, reading along with Roger Deakin and his seasons, observations and musings. A wonderful collection of thoughts and notes.