Holloway

Holloway follows writer Robert Macfarlane as he explores ancient sunken paths in the British countryside. The book combines his personal journey with historical accounts of these paths, focusing on a specific holloway in South Dorset. The narrative incorporates artwork by Stanley Donwood and notes from writer Roger Deakin, who previously traveled these paths with Macfarlane. Their collaborative work documents both the physical reality and cultural significance of holloways - paths that have been carved into the earth by centuries of use. The text moves between past and present, connecting Macfarlane's observations with the holloways' roles in wartime, folklore, and rural life. This slim volume includes drawings, photographs, and handwritten notes that complement the written exploration. At its core, Holloway examines the relationship between landscape and memory, revealing how paths can serve as physical records of human movement through time. The book stands as a meditation on the ways people leave lasting marks on the natural world, and how these marks become embedded in cultural memory.

Readers describe Holloway as a meditative exploration of ancient British paths, with many noting the interplay between Macfarlane's text and Stanley Donwood's stark illustrations. Readers appreciated: - The compact, intimate size that matches the subject matter - Atmospheric black and white drawings - Descriptions that capture the mystery of old paths - Short length that can be read in one sitting Common criticisms: - Too brief for the price point - Lack of narrative structure - More abstract than some expected from Macfarlane - Illustrations sometimes overwhelm the text Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,900+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.4/5 (280+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) Reader quote: "Like finding a secret door in a familiar room - makes you see paths differently" - Goodreads reviewer Critical quote: "Beautiful but slight. Feels more like notes toward a larger work" - Amazon reviewer

The Old Ways by Robert Macfarlane A chronicle of ancient paths and landscapes across Britain reveals the deep connections between walking routes and human history.

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🌳 The book's signature illustrations were created by Stanley Donwood, better known as Radiohead's longtime artistic collaborator who designed many of their album covers. 🛣️ A holloway is an ancient path or trackway worn so deeply into the earth by centuries of use that it forms a tunnel-like passage through the landscape, common in southern England. 📝 The book was originally published in 2012 as a limited edition of just 277 handmade copies by Quive-Smith Editions, before Faber & Faber released a mass-market version in 2013. 🌿 Robert Macfarlane's journey through the holloways was inspired by Geoffrey Household's 1939 novel "Rogue Male," in which the protagonist hides from pursuers in Dorset's deep paths. 🗺️ The specific holloways explored in the book are located in South Dorset, England, where some of these sunken paths date back to the Roman era and even the Iron Age, making them over 2,000 years old.