Over the course of a year, Miriam Darlington travelled around Britain in search of wild otters; from her home in Devon to the wilds of Scotland; to Cumbria, Wales, Northumberland, Cornwall, Somerset and the River Lea; to her childhood home near the Ouse, the source of her watery obsession. Otter Country follows Darlington's search through different landscapes, seasons, weather and light, as she tracks one of Britain's most elusive animals. During her journey, she meets otter experts, representatives of the Environment Agency, conservationists, ecologists, walkers, Henry Williamson's family, Gavin Maxwell's heir; zoo keepers, fishermen, scientists, hunters and poets. Above all she learns how to track and be around otters, and that the stillness required to actually see this shy animal can bring many unasked-for wonders. Written in mesmerising, magical prose, Otter Country establishes Darlington as a prominent voice in the new generation of British nature writers.
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Product Description
About the Author
Miriam Darlington was born and brought up in Lewes, Sussex. A prize-winning poet, she taught French and English for twelve years, before becoming a full-time writer in 2007. Her poetry collection Windfall was published in 2008 (Oversteps Books). She writes for The Countryman magazine, Resurgence and Archipelago. She lives in Devon with two children, one dog, two cats, four chickens and her husband.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is hard to sum up all the qualities of this stunningly beautiful, well written, thoroughly researched and highly readable book, other than by saying it is simply one of the finest books I have read in a long time, and engrossed me from the start.
Miriam Darlington is an accomplished poet whose deft observations of animals and nature are always engaging, and in Otter Country, her first venture into the world of prose, she doesn't disappoint. Split roughly into regional sections, as the author visits various parts of the country in search of the elusive animal, the book provides a fascinating overview of natural Britain, from the "True North" of Scotland, to the "wide curve of sand and mountainous dunes" of Northumberland, with its "gnarled, windblown hawthorns," taking in the Lake District and the surprisingly wildlife-rich canals of east London, to the "glittering river Dart" and the idyllic sounding environs of the author's local area, England's south-west.
There is a lot of thoughtful, insightful poetry and nature writing emanating from this part of the country right now, with writers like David Caddy, Mandy Pannett and Alice Oswald bringing the ancient land-and-water-scapes to life, and Miriam Darlington's fluent style of writing, non-judgemental observations and obvious love of wild animals fits perfectly into this poetic melting pot.... Read more ›
Miriam Darlington is an accomplished poet whose deft observations of animals and nature are always engaging, and in Otter Country, her first venture into the world of prose, she doesn't disappoint. Split roughly into regional sections, as the author visits various parts of the country in search of the elusive animal, the book provides a fascinating overview of natural Britain, from the "True North" of Scotland, to the "wide curve of sand and mountainous dunes" of Northumberland, with its "gnarled, windblown hawthorns," taking in the Lake District and the surprisingly wildlife-rich canals of east London, to the "glittering river Dart" and the idyllic sounding environs of the author's local area, England's south-west.
There is a lot of thoughtful, insightful poetry and nature writing emanating from this part of the country right now, with writers like David Caddy, Mandy Pannett and Alice Oswald bringing the ancient land-and-water-scapes to life, and Miriam Darlington's fluent style of writing, non-judgemental observations and obvious love of wild animals fits perfectly into this poetic melting pot.... Read more ›
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Jonas
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought Otter Country: In Search of the Wild Otter as soon as it came out in September 2012 and was immediately taken by the brilliantly evocative writing combined with a clear contemporary analysis of the state of the otter in the UK. The author describes Scotland, Northumberland and the Lake District with a skilfully poetic air. The book also has a great narrative structure and is also a page-turner. A highly recommended read for all nature lovers- eco-criticism of the highest order.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By James
Format:Hardcover
I bought this speculatively after reading the rave Guardian review that said the author had immediately catapulted herself into the company of the nature writing greats with this book - and they got it just about spot on! This is a great read - part journey across the country in search of the author's beloved otter and part excavation of this animal's literary past, this is really readable and rewarding stuff.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Marc
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
On the cover of Otter Country is a puff from Jim Perrin 'If a better nature book is written this year I would be very surprised.' As we approach December I think we can be safely say he was right. Otter Country is a delight; beautifully crafted, passionate and authentic, it chronicles Darlington's quest not just to observe but to understand the otter - and in so doing to discover more of herself. And it's this aspect - the willingness to place herself and her responses into the narrative - that I enjoyed so much. Too many supposed new-nature books use the landscape as a prop for the author's ego - reams of research material supported by a fleeting visit to the 'wild' (the much lauded Edgelands is a classic example). Otter Country is the real deal - Darlington's lifetime obsession is genuine, so too her initial naivety; her need for help, empathy and patience in understanding her subject - Otter Country is as much inner journey as outward quest. All this and exquisitely written too - I read it in a weekend, then again a month later - a rare event for me and further endorsement if it were needed.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By E. Johnson
Format:Hardcover
I'm a big fan of nature writing (Macfarlane, Mabey, Jamie etc) and loved this. The moments when Darlington makes otter sightings are positively spine tingling and by the end of the book you feel you're seeing the world as perhaps an otter would. A wonderful journey into the world (both literary and literal) of one of our most fascinating mammals.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Juliet
Format:Hardcover
My sister gave me this book for Christmas after reading about it in the Guardian. I decided I had to see an otter for myself so set off to the reserves in the Somerset Levels which were mentioned in the book. I was dubious to say the least, particularly after watching a Springwatch special that basically said 'no chance'. I was surprised and delighted to spot not one but two otters from a hide at Shapwick Heath. The book was an inspiration for me and beautifully written, reminding me of Robert Macfarlane. I'm off to Shetland next!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Mr
Format:Hardcover
A wonderful book from a clearly very talented author with complete mastery of her language. The way she brings the otter's half-hidden, watery world to life is a joyful revelation. Not entirely convinced by her ability to sniff out otter spraint at distance and creep to within a few feet of her subjects without being detected but everything else rings true so I must believe her.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A. Colvill
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
An enjoyable read of the Authors hunt to see wild otters, nicely written and discriptive. I enjoyed the chronological passage of the text through the year and the insights into the differing otter habitats/communities. I would have liked to see a few diagrams and perhaps photographs, but since my best results so far have been footprints rather than the elusive otter, I can understand their absence. A worthy addition to the other books I have on the otter, and enough food for thought.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gift
Bought as a gift and recipient really pleased. Gives insight into behaviour and habitat of otters.
Not technical but could help in reinstating them.
Not technical but could help in reinstating them.
Published 26 days ago by rosalind
5.0 out of 5 stars
Otterly Brilliant
I bought this after hearing Miriam Darlington give an amazing talk about her search for otters. I couldn't put the book down. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Wren
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I was expecting - beware!
I'll start off by saying this review is in no way meant to cause offence.
However.....having spent a fair bit of time lately watching otters playing in the loch and... Read more
However.....having spent a fair bit of time lately watching otters playing in the loch and... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Richard
5.0 out of 5 stars
About otters
This really deserves all the praise it has received. It's a sustained feat of fine writing, exploring the Otter world from every angle. Read more
Published 4 months ago by William Horder
5.0 out of 5 stars
As good as the reviews promised !
I bought this book as I have had a life-long interest in otters and had seen several very good reviews. The reviews were spot on. Read more
Published 5 months ago by firthbay
5.0 out of 5 stars
A rare talent!
This fabulous book will surely become a classic. Its meticulous search across Britain for otters is grounded in factual knowledge of the natural world, but it's inspiringly human... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Honeybee
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book
This is a lovely piece of work. The writing is beautiful; poetic. The images are so vivid, so striking, I felt I was there with the author. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Richard Hines
5.0 out of 5 stars
Otter Country
Having recently seen "Ring of Bright Water" for the first time, courtesy of my grandchildren, I was fascinated to read the Guardian review of Miriam Darlington's "Otter Country"... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Romey
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