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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I heard Raynor Winn talking about Landlines at the Edinburgh Book Festival last year. I found the event very inspiring and subsequently listened to the audiobook of The Salt Path which I thought was wonderful. I found Landlines to be just as wonderful. The author’s writing, particularly about the natural world, is just beautiful.
The long distance walk was challenging in many ways. Not only was Winn’s husband Moth struggling physically again, they could not start where they planned at Cape Wrath. It felt as though they had failed before they begun. However, another walker spoke to them about hope: “It’s powerful, it can change things…. putting yourself in the way of hope. Do that and anything can happen.” And that’s very much the ethos of the couple and of this book.
It was so interesting to read about the other people they met along the way, all with their own story to tell. Sometimes we found out more about some fellow walkers than others depending on how friendly they were. Most people were friendly and helpful though with Winn noting “…there’s an honesty you don’t see in normal life. It unites those who walk in a sort of trail-induced euphoria that gives you a sense of openness, where normally we’re all so closed. I think that’s the place where trail magic comes from.”
There is a focus on the changing climate, how humanity is affecting the landscape particularly with focussing on green space and open countryside, the things we’ve lost or are in danger of losing. It was particularly poignant to read a mention of the famous Sycamore Gap tree which is since the book was published is there no longer, thanks to some wanton vandalism. A metaphor perhaps for the damage people are causing to our planet: once something has gone, it is irreplaceable. Winn’s hope is that we will find a way to re-imagine the land and find a way to reconnect with nature, benefitting both people and land.
There are many lighter moments too such as the couple of walkers who recommend that Winn read this great book which will change her way of thinking about walking. You’ve guessed it, The Salt Path! Or there’s the woman who announces jokingly that she hates Winn. She’d wanted to go on a spa break with her friends but the birthday girl had chosen walking the West Highland Way instead!
This book is very much a ‘celebration of life, not in defiance of death, but despite death’. I really admire this inspiring couple with their determination to keep going, literally one step at a time, whether that’s on a walk or through life in general. Landlines is a beautifully written, thought-provoking book about endurance, hope and love.
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Beautiful writing and landscapes. Moving and emotional too. I enjoyed accompanying Raynor and Moth on their walk.
I found Raynor's anxiety about the climate and biodiversity crises hard to read because I have the same worries, but it's good to know I'm not alone there.
I found Raynor's anxiety about the climate and biodiversity crises hard to read because I have the same worries, but it's good to know I'm not alone there.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
I actually impulse bought this. I saw this book in a National Trust book shop and bought it as it sounded like the kind of thing I'd enjoy (I hadn't read or even heard of The Salt Path before reading this). It turned out to be an incredibly heart warming tale of human tenacity and endurance. There are some tales of incredible human kindness (as well as some unkindness) and uses wonderful imagery to describe the British countryside and wildlife - it's obvious how passionate she is about these.
I definitely want to read The Salt Path. This is a continuation of their story from The Salt Path and Winn does highlight the relevant parts but I think it is largely assumed that you have probably already read it. Hence I think if you are looking to read this it may be worth starting there rather than the other way around as I doing it! I can't say that as a definite recommendation as I haven't read it yet but it feels like that would be the better way.
The only thing I didn't really like is that at times it felt like the book felt a bit preachy, like Winn used it as a soapbox to express her views. Whilst perfectly valid views and I am sure some people would like this, I personally didn't really enjoy feeling like I was reading a sermon at times.
I definitely want to read The Salt Path. This is a continuation of their story from The Salt Path and Winn does highlight the relevant parts but I think it is largely assumed that you have probably already read it. Hence I think if you are looking to read this it may be worth starting there rather than the other way around as I doing it! I can't say that as a definite recommendation as I haven't read it yet but it feels like that would be the better way.
The only thing I didn't really like is that at times it felt like the book felt a bit preachy, like Winn used it as a soapbox to express her views. Whilst perfectly valid views and I am sure some people would like this, I personally didn't really enjoy feeling like I was reading a sermon at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
inspiring
reflective
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced