To the River - A Journey Beneath the Surface

Olivia Laing

Summary

An author’s walk “from source to sea along the Ouse in Sussex is a meandering, meditative delight” drawing on history, literature, and the river itself (The Guardian, UK). In To The River, author Olivia Laing embarks on a weeklong, midsummer odyssey along the banks of the River Ouse in Sussex, England, from its source near Haywards Heath to the sea, where it empties into the Channel at Newhaven. More than sixty years after Virginia Woolf drowned herself in the River Ouse, Laing still finds inspiration and guidance in the author’s abiding presence. Through cow pastures, woods, and neighborhood streets, Laing’s meandering walk occasions a profound and haunting reflection on histories both personal and cultural, and on landscapes both physical and emotional. Along the way, she explores the roles that rivers play in human lives, tracing their intricate flow through literature, mythology and folklore. Lyrical and stirring, To the River is a passionate investigation into how history resides in a landscape - and how ghosts never quite leave the places they love.“Magical…By turns lyrical, melancholic and exultant, To the River just makes you want to follow Olivia Laing all the way to the sea.”—Daily Telegraph, UK

Available since: 05/05/2011.

Print length: 305 pages.

Other books that might interest you

The Motorcycle & The Molecule

Dougie Lux

The Motorcycle & The Molecule is a comical insight into intentional communities, international travel and alternative styles of living. Mayan rulers, janky motorcycles and mischievous beavers all make appearances in a tale inspired by a solo research expedition through Central America. From a troubled community deep in the wilderness of Oregon to the Mayan ruins at Tikal, and from the beaches of Nicaragua to the jungles of Costa Rica, follow Dougie Lux along roads less traveled as he encounters an array of unforgettable characters, unconventional communities and uncomfortable ceremonies, all while leaving a trail of benevolent mischief sprinkled in his path. More than just a travel novel, The Motorcycle & The Molecule delves deep into the human experience and our desire for connection, reminding us that we are all beautifully flawed, masterpieces in progress. Join the adventure at www.DougieLux.com

Show book

Cape Town To Kilimanjaro - The...

Eric George de Jong

It is never too late to do something crazy wonderful. 'Your mid-life crisis doesn't have to be boring'. Eric De Jong, aged 60, took up mountain biking. The next thing he was making ‘pinky-promises’ with a fellow rider to ride from Cape Town to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Detouring off highways in search of roads less traveled, Cape Town to Kilimanjaro is about having fun, doing good and doing epic. Join Eric on his jaw dropping, foot cramping adventures through Africa and he’ll make you laugh, cry and will hopefully inspire.

Show book

The Wilderness of California...

John Muir

When John Muir moved to San Francisco, he immediately left for a week-long visit to Yosemite, a place he had only read about. Seeing it for the first time, Muir noted that "He was overwhelmed by the landscape, scrambling down steep cliff faces to get a closer look at the waterfalls, whooping and howling at the vistas, jumping tirelessly from flower to flower." He climbed a number of mountains, including Cathedral Peak and Mount Dana, and hiked the old Indian trail down Bloody Canyon to Mono Lake. He lived in the cabin for two years and wrote about this period in his book First Summer in the Sierra. Muir wrote few more books about his days in California and also a few about California's nature and wild life including The Mountains of California, Our National Parks, The Yosemite and Picturesque California.

Show book

In-Transit Passenger - Making...

Robert Babirad

Leave behind who society tells you that you are and discover your real self by becoming an In-Transit Passenger.
 
If you left behind what was familiar and went back to your authentic self, where might that lead? In “In-Transit Passenger,” the main character leaves behind an unfulfilling life at a law office in order to find greater meaning and a more meaningful life. A seemingly routine trip by boat suddenly turns into something much more significant, taking the protagonist back in time to those “in-transit” moments of the past and in turn to a truer and more authentic self.Can a simple trip change you by becoming so much more? Become your own In-Transit Passenger by embarking on your own next voyage today.

Show book

Idle Days in Patagonia

William Henry Hudson

Hudson traveled to Patagonia to study the birds, but shortly upon arrival accidentally shot himself in the knee, requiring a lengthy period of idleness to recover, hence the title of the book. It's not just a work of ornithology, but a personal memoir of the people and natural history of Patagonia. - Summary by Kevin Davidson

Show book

HowExpert Guide to Serving - 101...

HowExpert, Emma Eliason

Being a server - well, a good server - is so much more than taking an order and dropping food off at a table. Serving with hospitality can open doors to meaningful interactions with strangers, long-term relationships with regulars, and ultimately, consistent financial success.
If you’re new to the restaurant industry, want to improve your skills, or you’re just curious about how to succeed as a server, look no further. As an eight-year veteran and single mom, who has been able to raise two kids on server income alone, you can trust me when I say I know what I’m talking about.
I’ve listed the best 101 tips, tricks, and stories I’ve accumulated over the years throughout this book, with just a pinch of “I’ve been a server for far too long” sarcasm that I know other veterans will appreciate.
By reading this book, HowExpert Guide to Serving, you will:
- Learn the difference between hospitality and service.
- Uncover little tricks along the way to increase not only your check average but your tips.
- Hear stories of how these tips played out in real life while laughing along the way.
- Gain more knowledge on how to be a server that your guests will remember and come back for.
About the Author
Emma Eliason has been working as a server for nearly a decade. Starting at 19 years old, she knew she needed to be able to provide a better life for herself and her daughter. Now, eight years later, she shares the wisdom and humor she has picked up along the way. Emma has a strong passion when it comes to servers understanding their endless potential to positively impact someone’s day or even their life. With tips focused on empathy and hospitality, Emma shares how she’s been able to financially support two kids on server income alone while taking pride in her skills as a seasoned veteran of the restaurant industry.
HowExpert publishes how to guides by everyday experts.

Show book