Walking Home

A Poet's Journey

By: Simon Armitage

Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Nineteen days, 256 miles, and one renowned poet walking the backbone of England.

The wandering poet has always been a feature of our cultural imagination. Odysseus journeys home, his famous flair for storytelling seducing friend and foe. The Romantic poets tramped all over the Lake District searching for inspiration. Now Simon Armitage, with equal parts enthusiasm and trepidation, as well as a wry humor all his own, has taken on Britain’s version of our Appalachian Trail: the Pennine Way.

Walking "the backbone of England" by day (accompanied by friends, family, strangers, dogs, the unpredictable English weather, and a backpack full of Mars Bars), each evening he gives a poetry reading in a different village in exchange for a bed. Armitage reflects on the inextricable link between freedom and fear as well as the poet’s place in our bustling world. In Armitage’s own words, "to embark on the walk is to surrender to its lore and submit to its logic, and to take up a challenge against the self."

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2013, 2012 Simon Armitage, Map copyright 2012 by Eleanor Crow (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Not necessarily what you might imagine

I wasn't sure what to expect from this one, as I'm not a poetry guy at all, nor am I into extensive descriptions of nature. Well, neither of those were a problem here. There are some poems in the book, but only a few, so that I appreciated the poetry readings he gave along the way. Book is especially recommended for poetry fans, as well as those with a string interest in the English countryside. Audio narration a terrific fit - I kept forgetting Armitage wasn't reading this himself.

Bravo!

My husband and I listened to Walking Home with appreciation and thorough enjoyment. Thank you.

Better the second time through

I agree with what other reviewers have said, it takes a bit for this book to take hold. I read the hardcover when it came out, enjoyed it, but forgot about it pretty fast. Then I saw this audiobook and went in for a second journey. The narrator helped bring this book to life for me and I've very much enjoyed my second take on the book. The prose is wonderful, descriptive and takes that British tradition of poking fun at oneself to heart.

AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

Magnificent Journey

Walking Home is a magnificent journey through poetry and the English countryside. It is a quest, charmingly told. I felt like I was there. The book entertained me immensely.

elegant literary stroll

? does the idea of the whole appalachian trail intimidate you
? would the entire pacific crest trail be, just a bit too much
the poet, simon armitage (SA) has a welcoming alternative for you

SA admits that he now lives 3 miles from where he was born
so he has no claims or pretensions, as to being an intrepid explorer
he's pursuing a familiar stroll, in search of overlooked treasures

the united kingdom's 268 mile pennine way fits the bill nicely
it came into being about 40 years after the appalachian trail
mostly it runs north-south down the wet, rocky, windy spine of britian

SA covers about 10-15 miles a day and usually has only a day pack
each night he raises $ and meets new friends by having poetry readings
it lends a quirky, cozy balance to the obstacles and misadventures of the trail

along the way, SA meditates about the therapeutic aspects of walking
he believes it's a remedy for the aches and pains of aging and urban life
if you're an anglophile adult in search of a tidy gem, this book is a good bet