WINNER OF THE HAWTHORNDEN PRIZE SHORTLISTED FOR THE
SAMUEL JOHNSON PRIZE SUNDAY TIMES YOUNG WRITER OF THE
YEAR One winter, after an enforced period of quiet,
William Fiennes finds himself restless and yearning for
adventure. Inspired by his reading about the migratory
patterns of birds, he flies to Texas to find the
million-strong flocks of snow geese and to follow them
on their spring flight thousands of miles north to
breeding grounds on the Arctic tundra. This mesmerizing
book, already a classic, captures their journey with
wisdom, humility and endless curiosity. It is a
meditation on freedom of movement, on seeing the world
anew, and on the joy of returning -- indefinably
changed. 'Why are we drawn to birds, to landscape, to
nature? It is for the sense of wonder -- and in
capturing that sense of wonder, Fiennes reminds us how
desperately we all need it' Sunday Telegraph 'The Snow
Geese moved me as have few other recent books.No one who
reads it is likely to continue to look at the world in
the same way' Times Literary Supplement 'A beautifully
solitary and beautifully reflective book' Evening
Standard 'The descriptions of the geese and their
environment are jaw-droppingly beautiful. But Fiennes'
most remarkable talent is for describing the quotidian
with such freshness that it is like seeing the world for
the first time' Mail on Sunday 'An inspired work of
natural history and travel. A classic' Irish
Independent |
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