Walking on Thin Air
A Life’s Journey in 99 Steps
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Saqi Books
Published:29th Aug '23
Should be back in stock very soon
This poignant exploration of walking delves into mortality, reflecting on life's journey and the connections we make along the way in Walking on Thin Air.
In Walking on Thin Air, Geoff Nicholson shares his lifelong passion for walking, blending his experiences as an urban explorer, psychogeographer, and flaneur. Through his journeys, he captures the essence of walking, exploring not only the physical act but also the emotional and philosophical implications it carries. He reflects on the reasons behind our desire to walk, the benefits it provides, and the potential dangers that can arise from it.
Nicholson's recent diagnosis with a rare, incurable cancer has intensified his reflections on mortality. He recognizes that each walk may lead to a final step, making every excursion more poignant. This realization drives him to continue walking, cherishing each moment while contemplating the inevitable end that awaits us all. His narrative intertwines personal anecdotes with references to influential figures in art and literature, such as Garry Winogrand, Diane Arbus, and Virginia Woolf, enriching the reader's understanding of walking as both an art form and a means of introspection.
Walking on Thin Air is not just a memoir of Nicholson's own journeys; it is a celebration of life itself. Through his vivid storytelling, he invites readers to consider their own relationship with walking and the world around them. Ultimately, this book serves as a reminder of the beauty of existence, the importance of movement, and the profound connections we forge through the simple act of walking.
'This pithy, erudite yet resolutely unpretentious book is a celebration of the invigorating, inspiring pleasures of strolling just for the sake of it.' * Buzzmag *
‘Nicholson is a marvelously direct writer of indirect subjects who doesn’t have a lot of truck with pretense or a sense of misgiving about his subjects. He treads where he likes and doesn’t seem to care about commercialism when describing his enthusiasms. … Nicholson’s writing career has been varied, admirable and courageous. He stops to notice uncommercial and even bizarre subjects, shunning well-traveled roads. He goes where he likes. He gets out often. Nobody can imitate him.’ Tom Zoellener, LA Review of Books
‘A moving, vital book … a celebration of a life well-lived’ -- Yeah Lifestyle
ISBN: 9781908906571
Dimensions: 216mm x 138mm x 220mm
Weight: 244g
240 pages