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The Stubborn Light of Things

A Nature Diary
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( 555 ratings, 100 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Stubborn Light of Things by Melissa Harrison offers a collection of nature diaries capturing the beauty and resilience of the British countryside. The author vividly describes her observations of the natural world, spanning seasons and landscapes, to highlight the interconnectedness and profound wonder found in everyday encounters with nature. Through these reflections, the book encourages readers to appreciate the simple yet profound aspects of our environment.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate an intimate look at the beauty of the natural world throughout the changing seasons. With its lyrical observations and reflections on nature's resilience and wonder, it appeals to those who find solace and inspiration in the outdoors.

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A nature diary by award-winning novelist and nature writer Melissa Harrison, following her journey from urban south London to the rural Suffolk countryside.

A nature diary by award-winning novelist and nature writer Melissa Harrison, following her journey from urban south London to the rural Suffolk countryside.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

SUNDAY TIMES NATURE BOOK OF THE YEAR

A nature diary by award-winning novelist, nature writer and hit podcaster Melissa Harrison, following her journey from urban south London to the rural Suffolk countryside.

'A writer of great gifts.' - Robert Macfarlane

'The journal of a writer to compare to Thomas Hardy. Melissa Harrison is among our most celebrated nature writers.' - John Carey, The Times

A Londoner for over twenty years, moving from flat to Tube to air-conditioned office, Melissa Harrison knew what it was to be insulated from the seasons. Adopting a dog and going on daily walks helped reconnect her with the cycle of the year and the quiet richness of nature all around her: swifts nesting in a nearby church; ivy-leaved toadflax growing out of brick walls; the first blackbird's song; an exhilarating glimpse of a hobby over Tooting Common.

Moving from scrappy city verges to ancient, rural Suffolk, where Harrison eventually relocates, this diaryβ€”compiled from her beloved Nature Notebook column in The Timesβ€”maps her joyful engagement with the natural world and demonstrates how we must first learn to see, and then act to preserve, the beauty we have on our doorsteps, no matter where we live.

A perceptive and powerful call-to-arms written in mesmerising prose, The Stubborn Light of Things confirms Harrison as a central voice in British nature writing.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Stubborn Light of Things by Melissa Harrison is praised for capturing the beauty and nuances of the natural world, drawing readers into a year-long reflection through personal anecdotes and observations. Reviewers admire her lyrical prose and ability to evoke a sense of belonging and connection with nature. The book is often described as a soothing escape and a timely reminder of the importance of the natural environment in our lives.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571363513

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 22 April 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 199.0mm

Weight: 193g

Pages: 240

About the Author

Melissa Harrison is a novelist and nature writer. She contributes a monthly Nature Notebook column to The Times and writes for the FT Weekend, the Guardian and the New Statesman. Her most recent novel, All Among the Barley, was the UK winner of the European Union Prize for Literature. It was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year and a Book of the Year in the Observer, the New Statesman and the Irish Times. Her previous books have been shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award and longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction (At Hawthorn Time) and the Wainwright Prize (Rain). She lives in rural Suffolk, the setting for the hit podcast which accompanies this book, also called The Stubborn Light of Things.
@M_Z_Harrison.

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