The Hidden Fires
A Cairngorms Journey with Nan Shepherd
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Birlinn General
Published:2nd Mar '23
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This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£10.99(9781846975998)
In The Hidden Fires, Merryn Glover reflects on her experiences in the Cairngorms, drawing parallels with Nan Shepherd's classic work, The Living Mountain.
The book The Hidden Fires offers a thoughtful exploration of the Cairngorm mountains through the lens of both personal experience and literary homage. Merryn Glover draws inspiration from Nan Shepherd’s classic, The Living Mountain, intertwining her own journey with Shepherd’s insights. Growing up in the Himalayas, Glover initially felt a disconnect with the Scottish hills, but as she gradually acclimatizes, she begins to uncover the profound beauty and complexity of these landscapes. This transformation is not merely physical; it is a deep, emotional journey that reveals the heart of the Cairngorms.
In The Hidden Fires, Glover embarks on a journey that transcends time, creating a dialogue with Shepherd’s work. She navigates the same terrains and themes, illuminating how the mountains can serve as a mirror for our own lives. The narrative captures the essence of the Cairngorms, portraying them as both fierce and nurturing, demanding a courageous surrender to their wildness. Through her encounters, Glover reveals the iridescence of the landscape, inviting readers to appreciate the mountains not just as a backdrop, but as a vital part of identity and existence.
The book is a celebration of nature, resilience, and connection. Glover’s prose is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the Cairngorms and the transformative power they hold. The Hidden Fires is not just an homage to Shepherd; it is a testament to the enduring bond between humans and the natural world, encouraging readers to embrace their own journeys of discovery.
'Inspired by The Living Mountain, this book will sit comfortably and deservedly on the same shelf as Nan Shepherd’s masterpiece'
-- Allan Massie * The Scotsman *'A dazzling adventure into mountain, place and time. Redolent with the presence of Nan Shepherd, this book will captivate lovers of The Living Mountain'
-- Esther Woolfson'TheHidden Fires is a book about homecoming and homemaking, of noticing and belonging. It is a joyous celebration of the process of finding yourself'
-- Kerri Andrews, author of Wanderers: A History of Women Walking'Only rarely does one read a book whose quality of distinction is immediately apparent from the first page; Merryn Glover’s The Hidden Fires is not just brave, it is remarkable. Her writing comes at you out of the rock; it recalls some splendid cave painting, telling as much of man as of beast and leaving us in awe of each'
-- Sir John Lister-Kaye, FRSGS, OBE'A meditation on both Nan Shepherd's classic book and on what the mountains mean to them both...the discoveries she makes as she follows in Shepherd' Cairngorms footsteps have a freshness about them. There's magic and mysticism in the mix too'
-- David Robinson'a deeply personal account of Glover's love for the landscape'
-- Alice Hinds * Sunday Post *'A truly inspiring and beautiful book about the Cairngorm mountains, our natural world, and beyond...a rare beauty, where the place and sense of self is revealed and celebrated in all its blazing glory and wonder'
-- Liz Robinson * LoveReading - Star Book *'an ode to a writer who's synonymous with these mountains'
* Channel 4, National Parks from Above *'Glover crafts an evocative and immersive slice of travel writing about how the beauty and grandeur of the Cairngorms spoke to her soul'
* Waterstones Online *'Glover muses on the late legendary poet's thoughts and experiences whilst on her own transformative journey in a pilgrimage that is touching, elemental, brave and deeply affecting'
* Scottish Field *'An admirable and enjoyable book, well-written, good humoured and informative'
* The i *'Evocative writing... brings alive the joys and hidden spirituality that a trip to the Scottish hills can bring'
* Life and Work *'A very special book...on all accounts, it entertains, educates, and fascinates'
-- Neil Reid * Scottish Mountaineer Magazine *'Glover’s writing is refreshing and, whiles, can sparkle like schist... The book will appeal most to those who go to the hills for the hills’ allure rather than out to prove prowess at one of the sporting activities alone'
-- Hamish Brown * Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal *'Despite the influence of Shepherd’s gaze, Glover’s own voice – thoughtful, honest, funny, and utterly full of feeling – shines'
* The Great Outdoo- Short-listed for Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature 2023
- Short-listed for The Great Outdoors Reader Awards 2024
ISBN: 9781846975752
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 20mm
Weight: 357g
240 pages