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Title: Walking Home
Subtitle: Travels with a Troubadour on the Pennine Way
Author: Simon Armitage
Narrator: Simon Armitage
Format: Unabridged
Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
Language: English
Release date: 04-04-13
Publisher: Canongate Faber
Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes
Genres: History, European
Publisher's Summary:
In summer 2010 Simon Armitage decided to walk the Pennine Way. The challenging 256-mile route is usually approached from south to north, from Edale in the Peak District to Kirk Yetholm, the other side of the Scottish border. He resolved to tackle it the other way round: through beautiful and bleak terrain, across lonely fells and into the howling wind, he would be walking home, towards the Yorkshire village where he was born.
Travelling as a "modern troubadour" without a penny in his pocket, he stopped along the way to give poetry readings in village halls, churches, pubs, and living rooms. His audiences varied from the passionate to the indifferent, and his readings were accompanied by the clacking of pool balls, the drumming of rain and the bleating of sheep.
Walking Home describes this extraordinary, yet ordinary, journey. It's a story about Britain's remote and overlooked interior - the wildness of its landscape and the generosity of the locals who sustained him on his way. It's about facing emotional and physical challenges, and sometimes overcoming them. It's nature writing, but with people at heart. Contemplative, moving, and droll, it is a unique narrative from one of our most beloved writers.
Members Reviews:
A relaxing and enjoyable read
Simon Armitage, who narrates his own book, has a very relaxing voice which makes this an enjoyable read. His narrative about walking the Pennine way - using no money except that which he earns from readings of poetry along the way - is charming and interesting. He includes a couple of his poems later in the book which are magical.
A poet in his element
Would you listen to Walking Home again? Why?
Yes I would. It takes a while to get used to Simons voice as it is a little whiny. But it works well with words he uses that have a rhythmn and almost rhyme you would expect from a poet.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Walking Home?
Towards the end he wonders if he can ever do another live performance again as he has done so many during the walk. You get a real feeling for the dedication he has to his work, his craft and art and how much it can take out of him.
Have you listened to any of Simon Armitages other performances? How does this one compare?
I have seen him on TV documentaries and he lacks a bit of passion as a presenter. But as an audiobook narrator he works much better.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No it is good to follow his journey in episodes as the walk was punctuated by his performances. A few days of his journey at a time is best.
Any additional comments?
A good insight into the pennine way and the character of a fine poet and social commentator.
Poetic and comedic. Real down to earth adventure.
Enjoyed this little big adventure with my favourite modern day poet tremendously. I don't agree with other reviews about his lack of excitement. I found him to be full of humour with a strong balance between enthusiasm and the reality of the task at hand. His manner is not unusual for a Yorkshireman, takes one to know one I suppose! (Lancashire to be honest). I am familiar with some of the areas he travelled through and found it added to my enjoyment.
I will certainly listen again.
