Wild Words Newsletter
Get monthly recommendations on all the latest nature writing, heritage and conservation related reads available at Sherlock & Pages
Stephen Fry hails this book as 'bliss', praising its captivating portrayal of rural life's charm, wonder, and vigour. The Spectator lauds it as a 'capacious work' to be savoured seasonally, whilst the Sunday Times deems it their 'favourite read of the year'. Susan Hill, writing for the Sunday Telegraph, extols Blythe as an author whose prose demands immediate rereading and memorisation.
For nearly five decades, Ronald Blythe dwelt at Bottengoms Farm, a sturdy yeoman's house once owned by artist John Nash, nestled at the end of an overgrown track in the bucolic Stour Valley. From this vantage point on the Suffolk-Essex border, Blythe meticulously chronicled the unhurried rhythm of agricultural life, the ecclesiastical calendar, and village happenings in a series of lyrical rural diaries.
Next to Nature invites readers to immerse themselves in Blythe's richly lived, yet humble existence. Beginning with New Year's snowfall and concluding with Christmas carols echoing through the village church, this work showcases Blythe's gentle wit and keen eye as he reflects on life, faith, literature, art, history, and humanity's place within the landscape.
This volume stands as both a tribute to one of Britain's most esteemed nature writers and an unforgettable paean to the English countryside. It offers readers a chance to experience the subtle beauty and profound wisdom gleaned from a lifetime of keen observation and deep connection to the natural world.
Book ISBN: | 9781399804691 |
Book Author: | Ronald Blythe |
Book Format: | Paperback / softback |
Book Imprint: | John Murray Publishers Ltd |
Book Publisher: | John Murray Press |
Book Dimensions: | 129 x 197 x 33 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2023-04-13 |
Book Pagination: | 480 pages |
Book Weight: | 384g |
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.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
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.’
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.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
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.’