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The Living Mountain
A Celebration of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland
Series: Canons
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Check link for latest rating. ( 8,609 ratings, 1,190 reviews)
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Format: Paperback / softback
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The Living Mountain
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See moreA masterpiece of nature writing, now in a Canons edition.
Introduced by Robert Macfarlane
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
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Description
In The Living Mountain, Nan Shepherd takes us on a profound journey through the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland, where she discovers a realm of extraordinary contrasts and hidden wonders. This masterful work of nature writing not only paints a vivid picture of the landscape but also delves into the essence of the mountains themselves. Shepherd's narrative transcends mere description, offering readers a deep, poetic meditation on the natural world.
Through her rich, lyrical prose, Shepherd captures the breathtaking beauty and the daunting harshness of the Cairngorms. She meticulously details the rocks, rivers, creatures, and the ephemeral marvels that escape the casual observer. Her reflections on the terrain and its myriad facets form a tapestry that is both enchanting and intellectually stimulating.
Shepherd's life-long quest to understand the ‘essential nature’ of the Cairngorms is the heart of this remarkable work. Her intimate observations are interwoven with a philosophical exploration of humanity's relationship with the wild and untouched landscapes. This introspective journey invites readers to reconsider their own interactions with the natural world.
Composed during the tumultuous years of the Second World War, The Living Mountain is a testament to Shepherd's unwavering dedication to her subject. Despite its completion, the manuscript remained unpublished for over thirty years, only to be recognised later as a seminal piece of nature writing. Now celebrated as a classic, it continues to inspire and captivate modern readers with its timeless insights and eloquent prose.
The Living Mountain is not merely a book about mountains; it is an exploration of existence, perception, and the profound connection between the human spirit and the natural world. Shepherd’s writing possesses a rare beauty and a distinct cadence that compels reflection, making it a treasure for readers who seek to comprehend the deeper truths of nature.
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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 Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd is hailed as an outstanding work on British nature and landscape. Unlike typical mountain literature that often centres on reaching summits, this book is praised for its unique, meandering exploration of the Cairngorms, offering a fresh and sensory perspective.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780857861832
Publisher: Canongate Books
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 18 August 2011
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Canongate Canons
Edition: Main - Canons Imprint Re-issue
Contributors:
- Introduction by Robert Macfarlane
- Afterword by Jeanette Winterson
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 9.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 113g
Pages: 160
About the Author
Anna (Nan) Shepherd was born in 1893 and died in 1981. Closely attached to Aberdeen and her native Deeside, she graduated from her home university in 1915 and for the next forty-one years worked as a lecturer in English. An enthusiastic gardener and hill-walker, she made many visits to the Cairngorms with students and friends. She also travelled further afield - to Norway, France, Italy, Greece and South Africa - but always returned to the house where she was raised and where she lived almost all of her adult life, in the village of West Cults, three miles from Aberdeen on North Deeside. Robert Macfarlane's Mountains of the Mind: A History of a Fascination (2003), won the Guardian First Book Award, the Somerset Maugham Award, and the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award. Robert Macfarlane is a Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He lives in Cambridge with his family.
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