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The Summer Isles

A Voyage of the Imagination
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( 255 ratings, 40 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 Summer Isles by Philip Marsden is a captivating work of travel and adventure that documents the author's journey by sea along the western edge of Europe to the remote Summer Isles. As Marsden navigates the rugged coastline, he explores themes of history, myth, and the intimate connection between land and sea. His evocative descriptions bring to life the landscapes and cultures he encounters, offering readers a profound sense of place and a deeper understanding of the Celtic lands.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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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 have a passion for explorations and a curiosity about remote places, as it offers a captivating journey through Scotland's rugged landscapes and enchanting histories. The author's vivid storytelling and reflections on geography and culture may appeal to anyone with a love for travel and adventure narratives.

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A journey by sea along the western coasts of Ireland and Scotland in search of islands, both real and imagined.

A journey by sea along the western coasts of Ireland and Scotland in search of islands, both real and imagined

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

In an old wooden sloop, Philip Marsden plots a course north from his home in Cornwall. He is sailing for the Summer Isles, a small archipelago near the top of Scotland that holds for him a deep and personal significance. On the way, he must navigate the west coast of Ireland and the Inner Hebrides.

Through the people he meets and the tales he uncovers, Marsden builds up a haunting picture of these shores - of imaginary islands and the Celtic otherworld, of the ageless draw of the west, of the life of the sea and perennial loss - and the redemptive power of the imagination.

The Summer Isles is an unforgettable account of the search for actual places, invented places, and those places in between that shape the lives of individuals and entire nations.

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 Summer Isles by Philip Marsden is hailed as a beautifully written journey, blending exploration with rich mythological and historical reflection. Critics praise Marsden's elegant prose and ability to vividly convey the enchanting and sometimes treacherous landscapes of the Atlantic's edge. The narrative is described as both haunting and exhilarating, offering readers a profound sense of wonder and introspection. Reviewers highlight its imaginative brilliance, making it a standout travel book filled with adventure and introspective discovery.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781783783007

Publisher: Granta Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 18 June 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Granta Books

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 21.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 280g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Philip Marsden is a writer and journalist. He is the author of several works of travel writing and non-fiction, including most recently Rising Ground (published by Granta in 2014), The Levelling Sea and The Barefoot Emperor, and a novel, The Main Cages. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He lives in Cornwall with his wife and children.

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