Wild Words Newsletter
Get monthly recommendations on all the latest nature writing, heritage and conservation related reads available at Sherlock & Pages
Embark on an extraordinary odyssey with Susan Smillie's 'The Half Bird', a captivating memoir that charts one woman's solo voyage from Land's End to the Grecian shores. This remarkable tale, lauded by the Financial Times and Good Housekeeping, unveils the unexpected treasures of solitude, self-discovery, and inner strength.
Smillie's impromptu departure from London aboard her cherished sailboat, Isean, blossoms into a three-year expedition across continental waters. With minimal provisions, she uncovers the profound joy of resourcefulness and simplicity. The extreme nature of her journey awakens a deep appreciation for life's essentials: beauty, safety, and mere existence.
Beyond the physical tribulations of navigation lies a more profound transformation. This isn't merely a mid-life adventure or career hiatus; it's a gentle yet monumental shift towards an entirely new way of living. Smillie trades the familiarity of land for the wild, unpredictable embrace of the sea, seeking a life less ordinary.
The Guardian hails 'The Half Bird' as 'absorbing, moving, impressive', while author Rhik Samadder describes it as a love song between woman and boat that 'made my heart whole'. This open-hearted odyssey, told with the invigorating energy of a crisp wind under clear skies, invites readers to ponder their own potential for happiness and resilience.
Smillie's journey serves as a poignant reminder that true contentment often lies in stepping away from the familiar and embracing the unknown. 'The Half Bird' is not just a travelogue; it's an inspiring testament to the human spirit's capacity for growth, adaptation, and finding joy in the most unexpected places.
Book ISBN: | 9780241553169 |
Book Author: | Susan Smillie |
Book Format: | Hardback |
Book Imprint: | Michael Joseph Ltd |
Book Publisher: | Penguin Books Ltd |
Book Dimensions: | 223 x 145 x 26 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2024-03-21 |
Book Pagination: | 224 pages |
Book Weight: | 338g |
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.’