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February 2017:

The Wild Places by Robert MacFarlane

The Wild Places
by Robert MacFarlane.

First Published: 2007


Book Club Review:
Friday 10th February



The Wild Places
by Robert MacFarlane.

This was a book that promoted discussion, but an overall consensus of opinion. It is a book not to be rushed and the different sections of the book, with the possible section of the final chapter which draws together the author’s views of “wildness”, do not need to be read consecutively. Wildness can and does exist in the city

All praised the style of writing and the wonderful descriptions. In search of the wild places, Macfarlane visits remote parts of the UK and areas nearer to his base in Cambridge. Different areas resonated with members of the group depending on their previous knowledge of the area. This is far from just a travelogue of the author’s adventures, however. The writer has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the areas he visited; their flora and fauna, previous visitors and inhabitants and any written works appertaining to the area. These written works are credited in the book, as is the author’s deep friendship with fellow naturalist Roger Deakin, whose death is movingly described.

There is no doubt that the author is one of life’s eccentrics but the world is the richer for them and we are the richer for having read the book.

4.5 **** JC

More information at:
Goodreads.com