Simon & Schuster, 2020
ISBN-13: 978-1471175428
Reviewed by Ian Mowll
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Simon Barnes is a writer and journalist who has that wonderful gift of writing in a conversational style that lights up my interest and makes me want to know more.
The book has 23 short chapters, each one is about some aspect of Nature. They encourage the reader to take time to notice the abundant wildlife around us and to engage more closely with it.
I clearly remember chapter 1 about buddleia and how it attracts butterflies. I won’t now be able to see a buddleia plant without looking out for butterflies. Another chapter is about bird songs and how healing it is to listen to their music. He exhorts the reader to experience the songs and to get to appreciate them like well-loved pieces of music.
The book is also full of interesting anecdotes. The author suggests that our modern lifestyle (such as looking at computer screens) is reducing our peripheral vision which can be so important in taking notice of Nature’s unexpected secrets.
I read a chapter a day and I can truly say that by the end of the book, I have been inspired to take more notice of the wildlife around me and I may even buy a small pair of binoculars so that I can take more notice of the birds and other wildlife around me.
This book is for anyone who would enjoy a wondrous stroll through the magic of Nature with their heart and mind open to life’s fecundity.