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Reviews
Ghostways: Two Journeys in Unquiet Places by Stanley Donwood, Dan Richards, Robert Macfarlane
kaanda's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
4.0
The first half of this book was amazing! The ambiguous characters and cryptic language was engaging and intriguing. The descriptions of nature was unlike anything I've ever read and was so inspiring. The second half was a bit disappointing just because it was much more straightforward and basic than the first but the imagery was still very well done.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and War
mamesjegan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
frankensteinscreature's review against another edition
4.5
After reading Holloway I had to come and read Ghostways, and I just adored it, definitely some new favourite authors! I don’t read much nature writing but wow, this was so perfectly gothic.
napalousa's review against another edition
3.0
I give this 3.5 stars. Despite this being such a short book, I found it hard to read, especially the first section about Ness. It took me a while to really understand the characters as ghosts of the landscape talking.
That said, the imagery in the poetry is beautiful and you really do feel the water lapping and taste the saltiness in the air, but it really wasn’t my cup of tea. I’d really enjoy a section then find my mind drifting.
The second section about Holloways was much more interesting to me personally and was easier to follow.
The illustrations are gorgeous, especially the ones of the trees and the holloway. I’m glad I read this but also glad I’m done. Just a bit too over my head in places.
That said, the imagery in the poetry is beautiful and you really do feel the water lapping and taste the saltiness in the air, but it really wasn’t my cup of tea. I’d really enjoy a section then find my mind drifting.
The second section about Holloways was much more interesting to me personally and was easier to follow.
The illustrations are gorgeous, especially the ones of the trees and the holloway. I’m glad I read this but also glad I’m done. Just a bit too over my head in places.
categal's review against another edition
5.0
This is an experimental book that combines drawings and text to create a submersive reading experience involving all the senses. It absolutely succeeded.
The first part is about Orford Ness in East Anglia, where the British government conducted secret weapons testing. The book imagines some of the horrors there and how the land and the sea have reclaimed them. The beautiful alliteration in the text and the creepy drawings create an eeerie reading experience.
The second part of the book is about the Holloway in Dorset — land worn down by centuries of travelers to such an extent that whole pathways lie feet below the surface to create tunnel-like paths through the countryside. Tree roots and tree trunks line the paths, the branches rise up to block out the light. I’m enthralled with the idea of this place and want to go explore it myself. The writing here is also beautiful and evocative.
The first part is about Orford Ness in East Anglia, where the British government conducted secret weapons testing. The book imagines some of the horrors there and how the land and the sea have reclaimed them. The beautiful alliteration in the text and the creepy drawings create an eeerie reading experience.
The second part of the book is about the Holloway in Dorset — land worn down by centuries of travelers to such an extent that whole pathways lie feet below the surface to create tunnel-like paths through the countryside. Tree roots and tree trunks line the paths, the branches rise up to block out the light. I’m enthralled with the idea of this place and want to go explore it myself. The writing here is also beautiful and evocative.
mercourier's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Each part is distinct - a folk tale and a tale of remembrance that reads like a poem. Atmospheric and rereadable.
telescopewizard's review against another edition
3.75
such a good read for early fall! holloway especially was gorgeous and evocative and the perfect length and the word choice felt like a brain massage. + the illustrations!!!!!!!!!! jesus