Book: Into The Tangled Bank

Description

 

Longlisted for the Wainwright Prize 2021

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‘Funny, accessible and full of wonders – a genuine breath of fresh air.‘ – Melissa Harrison, author of All Among the Barley

‘Lev Parikian is one of those rare beasts: a nature writer with a sense of humour. This is a witty, touching and profound book about one man’s burgeoning relationship with the natural world – and it’s also a joy to read.’ – Stephen Moss, naturalist and author

... should be put on prescription for anyone suffering depression or loneliness … an absolute tonic of a book that creates happiness in the very soul of the reader … Lev Parikian’s writing style is, quite frankly, sublime … a glorious book. Don’t miss it. – Linda’s Book Bag blog

‘An open, warm and unique journey full of unabashed enthusiasm for the natural world. A rare thing.’ – Stephen Rutt, author of The Seafarers

‘…thoughtful and stimulating. The fact that the text skips along with levity and wit doesn’t detract from its value as a sideways look at ourselves through observations of nature.’ – Mark Avery

‘What Bill Bryson did for the travel tale and the secrets of the universe, Lev Parikian might well do for the natural world.’ – Tonto Williams, Electronic Scrapbook blog

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We are, allegedly, a nation of nature lovers; but what does that really mean?

For some it’s watching racer snakes chase iguanas on TV as David Attenborough narrates, a visit to the zoo to convene with the chimps; for others it’s a far-too-ambitious clamber up a mountain, the thrilling spectacle of a rare bird in flight. Lev Parikian embarks on a journey to explore the many ways that he, and we, experience the natural world.

Starting in his own garden plot, he gradually moves outwards to local patch, wildlife reserve, craggy coastline and as far afield as the dark hills of Skye.

He visits the haunts of famous nature lovers to get up close to their insatiable curiosity and follows their lead with tired and sometimes soggy-socked footsteps. And everywhere he goes there we are, too, each experiencing nature in our own way: ramblers, dog-walkers, photographers; loving couples, grumpy singles, families; kite-flyers, den-builders, grass-loungers; young whippersnappers, old farts, middle-aged ne’er-do-wells; beginners, specialists, all-rounders; or just people out for a stroll in the sun doing their thing. Warm, humorous and full of telling detail, Lev Parikian’s new book puts the quirks, habits and foibles of ‘how we are in nature’ under the microscope. And in doing so, he explores how our collective relationship with nature has changed over the centuries, what being a nature lover in Britain means today, and what our actions mean to nature.