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8797999's review against another edition
5.0
Superb, just like Meadowland, a year in the life of Cockshutt Wood. Very interesting and being a partial country bumpkin very relatable.
Thoroughly enjoyed both books I have read by the author and look forward to devouring more.
Thoroughly enjoyed both books I have read by the author and look forward to devouring more.
kathym91's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
obscuredbyclouds's review against another edition
1.0
I have no idea what anyone would see in this book. I must admit, I only skimmed the second half, because I just couldn't take it anymore. The beautiful cover is the only positive thing I can find about it, and even that, after reading is tainted by his romanticisation of farming. Granted, if I guy who kills pigs for a living calls himself their quasi father, that just makes me feel queasy, but at least, in these short passages, this book evoked any kind of feeling even if it was annoyance and anger. The same was true when he waxes patriotically about England ("Germany can keep Grimm!").
The rest of the book is simply boring. There is nothing informative about the wood or animals. It reads like this guy hasn't been in nature in his whole life. But he sure can go on about the wind in his hair, and the chirping of a bird above and the sun setting. Nauseating.
The rest of the book is simply boring. There is nothing informative about the wood or animals. It reads like this guy hasn't been in nature in his whole life. But he sure can go on about the wind in his hair, and the chirping of a bird above and the sun setting. Nauseating.
andrewspink's review against another edition
informative
relaxing
slow-paced
3.0
This is a book full of interesting facts about woodlands, and I love woodlands. But, I didn't love this book. Why not? I suppose there were two reasons. Firstly, I am lucky enough to already have some knowledge on the subject and that meant that I already knew 90% or more of all the interesting facts. So, that meant it was a bit boring. Secondly, I listened to the audiobook and wasn't impressed by the narrator. He had a very even tone of voice, which was clear but also a little boring. Everything seemed to be given the same weight regarding interest and importance.
snoakes7001's review against another edition
5.0
John Lewis-Stempel writes the most gorgeous prose. The Wood is the diary of a year in the life of Cockshutt Wood - the final year that he is the custodian of this small patch of woodland. It starts in December at the beginning of winter. Some entries are brief such as the entry for May 2nd: "There is a new sound in the wood, that of rain on full-fledged leaves; it is the shield-beating of Saxon warriors". Others are longer; as on the 14th April where he ruminates on ramsons, culminating in a recipe for wild garlic dolmades. Many entries describe the practicalities of managing the woodland using traditional methods - for example coppicing (28th January) and tree hay (15th June). Others include poetry - Shakespeare and Kipling both get a look-in as do some traditional country songs.
In The Wood, Lewis-Stempel does what he does best - he observes the countryside with the understanding of a man of the land, a farmer. He turns his attention to a set perimeter and then describes it in exquisite detail. Everything is worthy of notice, from the smallest insect or fungus, to the cattle that graze in the wood. The result is this beautiful and evocative book that brings Cockshutt Wood, its flora and fauna to glorious life.
Sublime.
In The Wood, Lewis-Stempel does what he does best - he observes the countryside with the understanding of a man of the land, a farmer. He turns his attention to a set perimeter and then describes it in exquisite detail. Everything is worthy of notice, from the smallest insect or fungus, to the cattle that graze in the wood. The result is this beautiful and evocative book that brings Cockshutt Wood, its flora and fauna to glorious life.
Sublime.
ninawinter's review against another edition
3.0
„“Jedes Mal, wenn ich einen Baum absäge, fallen Regentropfen von den Zweigen. Wie Tränen.“
2,5✨
Schade, ich hatte mir so viel mehr von dem Buch erhofft. Wunderschöne Einblicke in einen Wald. Einen Autor, den man 365 Tage darin begleiten darf. Leider was es zu trocken, zu abgehackt, zu emotionslos. Wirklich schade.
2,5✨
Schade, ich hatte mir so viel mehr von dem Buch erhofft. Wunderschöne Einblicke in einen Wald. Einen Autor, den man 365 Tage darin begleiten darf. Leider was es zu trocken, zu abgehackt, zu emotionslos. Wirklich schade.