On Nature: Unexpected Ramblings on the British Countryside
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Review
`On Nature is a variable feast...a trove of wisdom, surprises and delights' --BBC Countryfile Magazine
Review
‘Quirky and often fascinating’
Stephen Moss, Guardian
“An entertaining and diverse collection of rural musings from 26 authors.” 3/5 Stars. BBC Wildlife
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Given that much of the content for this book comes from a website entitled 'Caught By The River', I had reservations about the quality level of individual contributions here. Reading this confirmed some of my initial unease, but also led to some real surprises, like a walk in the country on an unsettled day, where sunshine chases shadows across fields, hills and makes water sparkle.
My plunge into these various worlds began well, with an evocative account of 'A Chain of Ponds' and childhood by Chris Yates, stalled on an earthbound 'Falconer's Tale', recovered with Stuart Maconie's gently humorous 'Wainwright Walks', and maintained this uneven pattern almost throughout. Perhaps the problem is also the focus of this collection, as the editors admit themselves, having originally intended it to be a 'how to' book, the contributions submitted often took it into a more inspired celebration of Nature, in all her guises. Those who stuck with the original, narrower brief struggle understandably when they try to give technical advice, unleavened by either a sense of wonder, or a sense of humour. It also has to be said that some of the 'travelogs' were more of a slog, substituting perspiration for inspiration. Thankfully though, a number of writers overcame all the technical difficulties, to transform the overall feel of this anthology.
Charles Rangeley-Wilson achieves this in 'How to Catch Trout', his sound technical advice given a magical, personal context against a variety of backdrops. John Andrews 'Winter Pike Fishing' similarly creates something creepily atmospheric with his tale. 'Drinking the Seasons' by Mark Dredge, an account of local, seasonal real ale, had my mouth watering, and Colin Elford's 'How to see Wildlife' delivered sound advice clearly and simply, although on binocular use, "move your hands and face very slowly", contrasts sharply with Ceri Levy, who likens the approach to an "optical gunslinger" where "speed of the draw is king": confusing. Finally, Nick Small's 'Lazy Naturalist' is a warmly engaging approach about the importance of attracting wildlife to the garden; his light touch makes it sound like fun.
Anyway, this is mostly a collection of impressive, lyrical writing about the wonders of the outdoors, which are available to even the mildly curious. If you're already a 'Nature Nut', you'll find some treasures to cherish here; if not, I'm unsure how many this may convert. Should also mention that this comes attractively bound, with a nicely tactile cover, original illustrations, quality paper and decent text-size. Sadly, for this 'Nature Nut', the inconsistency of some of the 'ramblings', reduced the appeal to about 3.8 stars, but if you love the outdoors (or know someone who does) this should do very nicely (even if you're holed up indoors in winter).
My plunge into these various worlds began well, with an evocative account of 'A Chain of Ponds' and childhood by Chris Yates, stalled on an earthbound 'Falconer's Tale', recovered with Stuart Maconie's gently humorous 'Wainwright Walks', and maintained this uneven pattern almost throughout. Perhaps the problem is also the focus of this collection, as the editors admit themselves, having originally intended it to be a 'how to' book, the contributions submitted often took it into a more inspired celebration of Nature, in all her guises. Those who stuck with the original, narrower brief struggle understandably when they try to give technical advice, unleavened by either a sense of wonder, or a sense of humour. It also has to be said that some of the 'travelogs' were more of a slog, substituting perspiration for inspiration. Thankfully though, a number of writers overcame all the technical difficulties, to transform the overall feel of this anthology.
Charles Rangeley-Wilson achieves this in 'How to Catch Trout', his sound technical advice given a magical, personal context against a variety of backdrops. John Andrews 'Winter Pike Fishing' similarly creates something creepily atmospheric with his tale. 'Drinking the Seasons' by Mark Dredge, an account of local, seasonal real ale, had my mouth watering, and Colin Elford's 'How to see Wildlife' delivered sound advice clearly and simply, although on binocular use, "move your hands and face very slowly", contrasts sharply with Ceri Levy, who likens the approach to an "optical gunslinger" where "speed of the draw is king": confusing. Finally, Nick Small's 'Lazy Naturalist' is a warmly engaging approach about the importance of attracting wildlife to the garden; his light touch makes it sound like fun.
Anyway, this is mostly a collection of impressive, lyrical writing about the wonders of the outdoors, which are available to even the mildly curious. If you're already a 'Nature Nut', you'll find some treasures to cherish here; if not, I'm unsure how many this may convert. Should also mention that this comes attractively bound, with a nicely tactile cover, original illustrations, quality paper and decent text-size. Sadly, for this 'Nature Nut', the inconsistency of some of the 'ramblings', reduced the appeal to about 3.8 stars, but if you love the outdoors (or know someone who does) this should do very nicely (even if you're holed up indoors in winter).
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
On Nature is a collection of about 30 essays on, well, nature! Some of the authors of these essays were know to me - Chris Yates, Colin Elford, Simon Maconie - having written a number of books that feature aspects of the British Countryside. Other authors, such as Tracey Thorn were know to me, but only though things other than books on Nature - Thorn is (was?) the vocalist with Everything But the Girl.
The mix and match approach of the authors is a clear strength of this book, with few of them taking themselves too seriously, as can be the case in longer works where authors sometimes struggle to find something new or different to say. The essays tend to have one thing to say (this is not a criticism) and once this has been said they stop. I have to say I rather enjoyed this aspect of the book.
Although the essays are very different in content and style there does seem to be a theme that runs through the book - connection only comes through contact. This is not profound, but it is important. Change contact with hidden ponds, planned contact with fish, the contact of unfamiliar soil in a new garden or unfamiliar people on a bike journey . Each of these allows people to get unexpected insights into the world around them.
The book also contains about five sections called "how to tell the difference between X and Y" - grasshoppers and crickets as an example. These are very short and do seem a little out of place. As the sub-title of the book suggests the essays are "unexpected ramblings", and the differences section read a short bursts of low key taxonomy. As a result I feel they jar a little in the context of the whole book.
The book probably does not say anything that is really new or startling - although the proud section on being a lazy naturalist is one of the best statements I have read about not having to climb mountains, wade through bogs or battle through dense jungle to see interesting wildlife.
Recommended as a gentle, discursive, but not really ground breaking read.
The mix and match approach of the authors is a clear strength of this book, with few of them taking themselves too seriously, as can be the case in longer works where authors sometimes struggle to find something new or different to say. The essays tend to have one thing to say (this is not a criticism) and once this has been said they stop. I have to say I rather enjoyed this aspect of the book.
Although the essays are very different in content and style there does seem to be a theme that runs through the book - connection only comes through contact. This is not profound, but it is important. Change contact with hidden ponds, planned contact with fish, the contact of unfamiliar soil in a new garden or unfamiliar people on a bike journey . Each of these allows people to get unexpected insights into the world around them.
The book also contains about five sections called "how to tell the difference between X and Y" - grasshoppers and crickets as an example. These are very short and do seem a little out of place. As the sub-title of the book suggests the essays are "unexpected ramblings", and the differences section read a short bursts of low key taxonomy. As a result I feel they jar a little in the context of the whole book.
The book probably does not say anything that is really new or startling - although the proud section on being a lazy naturalist is one of the best statements I have read about not having to climb mountains, wade through bogs or battle through dense jungle to see interesting wildlife.
Recommended as a gentle, discursive, but not really ground breaking read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Ramblings being a very accurate description of this book. The tone of the essays varies greatly, as you would expect with so many different contributors, and as such some articles are much better than others. None particularly inspires or enthuses the reader to don their walking boots and get out into the country (well it didn't for me anyway), but I suspect that if you're a hardcore nature enthusiast, or if you can directly relate to some of the tales in the book, then this is probably a pleasant enough read, ideal for dipping in and out of (especially when the weather is just too ghastly to venture outside - ie. every other day at the moment!)
If you're looking for a book which really promotes the countryside to the casual observer (which is what I had hoped this book would deliver)then you may be dissapointed.
If you're looking for a book which really promotes the countryside to the casual observer (which is what I had hoped this book would deliver)then you may be dissapointed.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A diverting meander through the byways of the British countryside.
A collection of writers, artists and musicians celebrate their particular passions for the British countryside, from falconry and foraging to nocturnal angling and regional... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Country Publications
OK but a bit disparate
This collection of writing has the same atmosphere about it as The Idler magazine, and follows on from an earlier volume "Caught by the river" which focused as the name suggests,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by doublegone
All good. Thanks!
I've received the book in the state and time expected. I javen't read it quite yet but i'm sure it's a good one. Than you very much!
Published 5 months ago by ader250
A collection of magazine articles not a book
This is one of those books which shows why a simple star rating is possibly the poorest possible way to review a product (OK I admit they have the advantage of providing a quick... Read more
Published 6 months ago by J. Brand
For dipping into
This is a lovely book for dipping into, and although I received this a few months ago, I've only just finished working my way through it. Read more
Published 6 months ago by B. Roche
The British countryside, and its lovers, uncovered
Do we need any more anthologies of writings on "nature"?
Yes, there is still room, if they achieve this level of quality and originality. Read more
Yes, there is still room, if they achieve this level of quality and originality. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Bob Sherunkle
OK book
This is an ok read but not one of those books that you wouldn't want to put down. It didn't really inspire me to get out into the countryside any more than I already do.!
Published 7 months ago by Susie Q
Quaint cute and very british
I've always been keen on peoples experiences of the countryside. More so now I'm living in rural devon. This was a lovely read from start to finish. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Ghost of Kai
A mixed bag
As books of this type go I suppose this is fairly good - in places! Clearly all the contributors are enthusiastic about the subject they have written about, but some of them are... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Kevin McIlroy
Country Dreaming
This is a beautiful evocative book which begs from us nothing more than to in a deckchair near a bubbling brook whilst we sit and have a quiet read. Read more
Published 8 months ago by M. P. Sammut
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