The Gnome King reviewed January Man by Christopher Somerville
Review of 'January Man' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book about the joys of walking and there are so many little titbits of information that shall stick with me for ages, particularly about badgers on the side of the road...I even went hunting for scurvy grass until I realised that was featured in a different month to the one I was experiencing so the flowers were probably past it now....still I got to have a play on the motorway.
One of the things about walking that I enjoy is how your mind wonders, it's amazing how many issues at work I've solved during my lunchtime walk on the common and that part of walking features heavily in this book. Somerville's mind wanders again and again to his father, about how distant he was when Somerville was a lad and how once he had retired they were able to bond over long distance walking, it …
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book about the joys of walking and there are so many little titbits of information that shall stick with me for ages, particularly about badgers on the side of the road...I even went hunting for scurvy grass until I realised that was featured in a different month to the one I was experiencing so the flowers were probably past it now....still I got to have a play on the motorway.
One of the things about walking that I enjoy is how your mind wonders, it's amazing how many issues at work I've solved during my lunchtime walk on the common and that part of walking features heavily in this book. Somerville's mind wanders again and again to his father, about how distant he was when Somerville was a lad and how once he had retired they were able to bond over long distance walking, it was a great homage to a father and at times quite heart-breaking.
I liked how this book was laid out, a walk per month, usually with a reason for walking in that area ie: lambing season or particular birds arriving back in the UK. The walk is only a small part of the chapter, so much history has been included and a lot of nature crammed in too. A favourite part for me was when he did St Cuthbert's walk, an area of Scotland I have been too a few times and he covered the bit of the route I have done, it absolutely tipped it down for me at the same spot and it would be funny if we took shelter at the same place.
The writing is very good, easily drawing in the reader and not getting boring at any point. Somerville has written a lot of books so I'll have to check another one out soon.
Blog review: felcherman.wordpress.com/2020/08/12/the-january-man-by-christopher-somerville/