Water and Sky

In Water and Sky, Neil Sentance explores his family's history within the Lincolnshire landscape, blending nature writing, memoir, and historical fiction.

In Water and Sky, Neil Sentance takes readers on a personal journey through the picturesque landscapes of his native Lincolnshire. He revisits the riverlands, fields, farms, and market towns that have played a significant role in shaping his family's history. Rather than merely lamenting a bygone era, Sentance brings to life the characters who inhabit these places, many of whom have been forgotten by history. His writing evokes a sense of nostalgia while celebrating the beauty and complexity of the countryside.

The essays in Water and Sky are a collection of Sentance's reflections, originally published on the Caught by the River website from 2010 to 2013. Through a unique blend of lyricism and gritty realism, he captures the essence of rural life and its connection to the natural world. The book serves as a tribute to the landscapes that have influenced his identity and the stories that intertwine with them.

This work is not just a memoir; it intertwines elements of nature writing and historical fiction to create a haunting narrative that resonates with readers. Water and Sky invites us to consider the relationships between people, place, and memory, reminding us that the landscapes we inhabit are deeply intertwined with our personal histories.