Ah, thank you Lyndsay. I'm glad you made this suggestion - James Roberts is not an author I know, and I really do want to make a comprehensive list of books that might be listed as Place Writing.
Yasmin, I enjoyed your Substack review this morning. Thanks for sharing! A thought about place writing as a genre. Here in America, we’ve had a strong tradition of place writers, although they are often categorized as “nature writers” or “environmental.”
I’m thinking of Josephine Winslow Johnson, for example, whose book The Inland Island (1969) is about her farm in Ohio. Her 1973 memoir is titled Seven Houses: A Memoir of Time and Places. There’s also Gladys Taber, who wrote many books about Stillmeadow, her Connecticut farm and the nearby village and its people. And one that’s less about nature and more about the culture of place: Already Home: A Topography of Spirit and Place, by Barbara Gates.
I mention these few just in case you haven’t had a chance to survey the many American place writings and would like to take a look at them. I haven’t taught in this area for years and am sure that someone must have assembled a recent bibliography, perhaps as “nature writing.” Lots of good reading to do!
Best wishes for your success in this wonderful field—
Thank you for your comment, Susan, and thanks also for this lovely list of authors who I'll definitely look up. I think, because Place Writing is a relatively new term, the powers that be categorise books into more commonly known subject areas. Hopefully, in time, this will change. 😊
I liked Chet Raymo’s The Path, written about the mile walk from his home to his place of work. He explores many layers of place. Thanks for the review of Ben’s work, will add it to my list😊
Thanks for your suggestion, Lynne. Raymo's walk sounds quite fascinating. I hope you enjoy Under the Rock when you get to it. There are so many good books to read!
I know Ben. I’ve read (and very much enjoyed) this book. My study window looks out towards Scout Rock.
(If you’ll forgive the shameless plug, you might also like to check out my book ‘On the Moor’, set in the same area as Ben’s—albeit on the opposite side of the valley, and very different in style. Let me know if you’d like a copy. Keep up the excellent work! http://richardcarter.com/on-the-moor/)
I'm glad you enjoyed this book, Richard, and it's so nice you made contact to tell us of your connection to Ben and the Rock! Indeed, I'd love a copy of your book. I'll contact you direct. It's quite interesting to think that we, as writers, can find so much to say about a specific, even small, piece of land.
This sounds like one to add to my tbr list. I loved his book 'Cuddy' which is about St Cuthbert and set in the North East - place is evoked brilliantly in that one too.
I've heard about 'Cuddy' but not yet got around to it. You've inspired me to read it. Thank you for your comment, Shelly, and I hope you enjoy 'Under the Rock'.
A brilliant review, it sounds fascinating! I think you would like Into the Deep Woods with James Roberts here if you are not already familiar xx
Ah, thank you Lyndsay. I'm glad you made this suggestion - James Roberts is not an author I know, and I really do want to make a comprehensive list of books that might be listed as Place Writing.
Yasmin, I enjoyed your Substack review this morning. Thanks for sharing! A thought about place writing as a genre. Here in America, we’ve had a strong tradition of place writers, although they are often categorized as “nature writers” or “environmental.”
I’m thinking of Josephine Winslow Johnson, for example, whose book The Inland Island (1969) is about her farm in Ohio. Her 1973 memoir is titled Seven Houses: A Memoir of Time and Places. There’s also Gladys Taber, who wrote many books about Stillmeadow, her Connecticut farm and the nearby village and its people. And one that’s less about nature and more about the culture of place: Already Home: A Topography of Spirit and Place, by Barbara Gates.
I mention these few just in case you haven’t had a chance to survey the many American place writings and would like to take a look at them. I haven’t taught in this area for years and am sure that someone must have assembled a recent bibliography, perhaps as “nature writing.” Lots of good reading to do!
Best wishes for your success in this wonderful field—
Thank you for your comment, Susan, and thanks also for this lovely list of authors who I'll definitely look up. I think, because Place Writing is a relatively new term, the powers that be categorise books into more commonly known subject areas. Hopefully, in time, this will change. 😊
I liked Chet Raymo’s The Path, written about the mile walk from his home to his place of work. He explores many layers of place. Thanks for the review of Ben’s work, will add it to my list😊
Thanks for your suggestion, Lynne. Raymo's walk sounds quite fascinating. I hope you enjoy Under the Rock when you get to it. There are so many good books to read!
I know Ben. I’ve read (and very much enjoyed) this book. My study window looks out towards Scout Rock.
(If you’ll forgive the shameless plug, you might also like to check out my book ‘On the Moor’, set in the same area as Ben’s—albeit on the opposite side of the valley, and very different in style. Let me know if you’d like a copy. Keep up the excellent work! http://richardcarter.com/on-the-moor/)
I'm glad you enjoyed this book, Richard, and it's so nice you made contact to tell us of your connection to Ben and the Rock! Indeed, I'd love a copy of your book. I'll contact you direct. It's quite interesting to think that we, as writers, can find so much to say about a specific, even small, piece of land.
This sounds like one to add to my tbr list. I loved his book 'Cuddy' which is about St Cuthbert and set in the North East - place is evoked brilliantly in that one too.
I've heard about 'Cuddy' but not yet got around to it. You've inspired me to read it. Thank you for your comment, Shelly, and I hope you enjoy 'Under the Rock'.