It’s a rare occasion that a novel will stand out for its ability to profoundly affect the way the reader sees the world. The Overstory is one such work. Source: Penguin Books UK In this sprawling, 600-plus page novel, Powers takes us through the arcs of several protagonists whose lives – whether wholly or tenuously … Continue reading The Overstory by Richard Powers – Review
Author: ngfclark
Wildwood by Roger Deakin – Review
Part memoir, part travelogue, Wildwood by Roger Deakin is woven with rambling reflections and insights, loosely tackling its theme for a wide-ranging foray into the woods - without ever getting lost. Deakin discusses rookeries, the Green Man, eco-houses, even walnut-inlaid Jaguars in this lengthy reflection on wood as a lived and living thing. His warmth … Continue reading Wildwood by Roger Deakin – Review
Pagan Britain by Ronald Hutton – Review
This 400-page survey of pre-Christian belief in the British Isles is not just an assessment of the historical and archaeological evidence but also an appraisal of historiography, cultural history, sociology, anthropology, and folklore. Hutton sets himself a significant task of charting such vast and ambiguous terrain, which could not be achieved without considerable depth of … Continue reading Pagan Britain by Ronald Hutton – Review
Arctic Dreams by Barry Lopez – Review
A wholly excellent synthesis of nature writing, biology, anthropology, environmentalism, and history, alongside a deeply personal reflection upon the Arctic that is entirely deserving of its classic status.Lopez writes with decades of experience, with this opus being a culmination of his passion for the (Canadian/American) hyperboreal. First published in the 80s, Dreams still feels fresh, … Continue reading Arctic Dreams by Barry Lopez – Review
Daemon Voices by Philip Pullman – Review
Often in these sorts of collections repetition (unavoidable, it seems) of certain themes, references, examples, points, etc, tend to bog things down more than they should. This is especially true when it’s a repeated citation that I have no particular interest in. I found this in Neil Gaiman’s recent collection, The View from the Cheap … Continue reading Daemon Voices by Philip Pullman – Review
Common Ground by Rob Cowen – Review
It was after seeing Rob Cowen speak at the WildLines nature writing festival in Leeds that I was intrigued enough to pick up this book to find out more.Common Ground is an interesting scrapbook of various narratives and observations garnered over a nine-month obsession with the nearby 'edgeland' - the common ground of the title … Continue reading Common Ground by Rob Cowen – Review
La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman – Review
La Belle Sauvage was a lot bigger than expected, and I'm not sure how much it benefitted from being quite so long. The first section, which deals with the largely mundane, sedate life of young protagonist Malcolm amidst rising suspense and political aggravation, possibly drags on a bit too long, and at times I was … Continue reading La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman – Review
The Last Days of New Paris by China Mieville – Review
China Mieville's work often suffers from a jarring mash-up of highbrow worldbuilding and literary stylistics with unashamedly pulp-influenced plotting. To that end, New Paris is no different. The novella has a strong start, and the dual narrative adds welcome depth to the story whilst keeping a lively pace. The worldbuilding - always Mieville's forte - … Continue reading The Last Days of New Paris by China Mieville – Review
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman – Review
I've not read any Norse mythology for a while, so many of these stories came to me feeling quite fresh, albeit woven with familiarity. Happily, it only took a couple of stories to shake off the Marvel characters and replace them with my own. This isn't a reimagining, but rather, in the vein of Philip … Continue reading Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman – Review
Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson – Review
A lengthy novel deserves a lengthy review, does it not? Oathbringer picks up from the apocalyptic cliffhanger ending of Words of Radiance. I was all set for a race-against-time narrative as the newly-fledged Knights Radiant attempt to save as many of the cities of Roshar as possible in the face of the encroaching Everstorm, and … Continue reading Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson – Review
Monsters in Eden 