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SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2020 PEN ACKERLEY PRIZE
Hailed as 'a singularly peculiar and splendid literary work' by Philip Hoare and 'a fresh, compelling voice' by Mark Cocker, author of Crow Country, Ghostland is a haunting exploration of the British Isles' most enigmatic landscapes.
Grappling with the recurring nightmare of a family tragedy in his late thirties, Edward Parnell sought solace in the spectral tales that captivated him as a lad and in the works of writers who have dared to confront the mysteries beyond the veil.
Parnell's quest takes him to the 'sequestered places' of Britain: desolate moors, lichen-covered graveyards, stark coastlines, and folklore-rich woodlands. He unravels how these atmospheric locales have inspired a kaleidoscope of literature and cinema, from the eerie tales of M. R. James, Arthur Machen, and Algernon Blackwood to the fantastical children's novels of Alan Garner and Susan Cooper. His journey encompasses W. G. Sebald's The Rings of Saturn, Graham Swift's Waterland, and the quintessential 'folk horror' film, The Wicker Man.
Ghostland is Parnell's poignant examination of what has haunted our creative minds - and what haunts him personally. This unique and elegiac meditation on grief, remembrance, and yearning illuminates the redemptive power of storytelling and nature.
Book ISBN: | 9780008271992 |
Book Author: | Edward Parnell |
Book Format: | Paperback / softback |
Book Imprint: | William Collins |
Book Publisher: | HarperCollins Publishers |
Book Dimensions: | 130 x 198 x 38 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2020-10-15 |
Book Pagination: | 480 pages |
Book Weight: | 420g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
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Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’