The Rising Down

The Rising Down by Alexandra Harris is a mesmerising exploration of memory, place, and connection through the lens of West Sussex. Returning to her childhood home, celebrated critic and cultural historian Alexandra Harris discovers a land rich with untold stories and hidden treasures. With her detective-like curiosity, Harris peels back the layers of history and brings forth the soul of West Sussex in a biography as vivid as it is enlightening. When Harris returned to West Sussex, she was struck by how much she took for granted about her own origins. Diving into archival records and rediscovering everyday objects, she unearths the complex and fascinating history of a place she thought she knew so well. This compelling narrative weaves through the lives of eminent figures like the painter John Constable and modernist writer Ford Madox Ford, down to the unsung local women who left behind little record of their lives. Each story holds a piece of the puzzle that forms the larger picture of this English landscape. Far beyond a simple account of West Sussex's history, The Rising Down captures the universal struggle of thousands of lives, showcasing how personal histories reverberate through time and space. Harris's compassionate storytelling bridges the gaps between past and present, making connections from the rolling Downs to distant places including Poland, Australia, and Canada. With her thoughtful prose, she deftly moves from the particularities of one small patch of England to the grand, sweeping narratives that define human existence.

'Remarkable.' THE TIMES

'Wonderful.' GUARDIAN

'Fascinating.' TELEGRAPH

'As a portrait of a place, it's hard to better.' COUNTRY LIFE

'A thrill akin to discovering buried treasure.' RICHARD MABEY

'Humane, humorous and joyful.' RUTH SCURR

Through these 'electrifying encounters,' as Harris describes them, she finds that the lives of individuals—and their choices and experiences—are profoundly connected by their shared landscapes and histories. The Rising Down achieves what few historical narratives can: it finds 'a World in a Grain of Sand,' transforming people's understanding of what it means to belong to a place. This beautiful, intricate portrait of West Sussex isn't just for history enthusiasts or locals; it appeals to anyone who has ever wondered about the unseen layers of their surroundings. Harris's heartfelt and erudite approach invites readers on a journey that is as captivating as it is enlightening, making The Rising Down a must-read for those who yearn to see the extraordinary in the seemingly ordinary.