In Green

Two Horses, Two Strangers, a Journey to the End of the Land

Louis D Hall author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Duckworth Books

Published:20th Mar '25

Should be back in stock very soon

In Green cover

A glorious piece of rich, romantic travel writing that takes the reader along old paths, into ancient villages, sharing rural homes and stables of farmers and shepherds in the Ligurian Alps, Pyrenees, Basque country and Galician coast, from a brilliant new talent

'A classic adventure narrative in the vein of Patrick Leigh Fermor and Robert Louis Stevenson... life-changing' CAL FLYN, author of Islands of Abandonment

In his mid-twenties, city-bound and restless, Louis D. Hall found himself uncertain. How to create a life he wanted to lead? Inspired by Don Quixote, he decided to fulfil a childhood dream – to make an uncharted journey on horseback.

After finding his horse, Sasha, in Italy’s Apennine Mountains, Louis set off and headed west. His destination: Cape Finisterre, ‘the end of the land’. For three weeks Louis and Sasha survived storms, snow, wolves and the untrodden partisan paths of the Ligurian Alps. But then a young woman arrived with her horse, Istia, and their solitary world was broken. Kiki, adrift with the death of her sibling, joined the journey, and the duo continued together.

With every step and every fall, the pair are forced to unfold and trust in their horses and, eventually, each other. Using old and forgotten routes, guided by strangers and nature’s clues, the travellers unravel into a wilder way of life; united by the mysteries of the horse, enticed by the illusions of adventure.

'A classic adventure narrative in the vein of Patrick Leigh Fermor and Robert Louis Stevenson: this is a life-changing, continental trek on foot and on horseback that captures the clarity, freedom and desperate joys of long distance travel and the closeness and intimacy of the herd. Romantic in so many senses of the word – a love story, a wilderness quest, a kaleidoscope of European culture and language' Cal Flyn, author of Islands of Abandonment


'An utterly enchanting debut – a new favourite book. I was riding side by side with the author, every step of the way' Antonia Fraser


'Surprising, gripping and unforgettable. What a fabulous debut!' Mel Giedroyc


'An awe-inspiring tale of adventure, grit, and the deep bond between man, horse and nature – a story that will stir the soul of every reader who dreams of pushing beyond the horizon' Alastair Humphreys, author of Microadventures


'A young man with an old soul takes on an ancient journey by horseback across Europe. This is a striking debut that will transcend its time: an emotionally taut, beautifully written book for eternally restless romantics' Sophy Roberts, author of Lost Pianos of Siberia


'An incredible journey, complete with all of the elements of real adventure; joy, despair, challenge and surprise. And a deep sense of meaning – this is an exploration of the interior every bit as much as it is one of the exterior. A book that will inspire many an odyssey!' Leon McCarron, author of Wounded Tigris


'In Green is a love letter to serendipity, to leaning into uncertainty, to being ok with not knowing what the destination looks like, and to trusting in the kindness of strangers, animals and yourself. For all the wanderers and soul-searchers, this will be both balm and permission – no, it’s not easy and yes, you can go too... A vital book' Mary-Ann Ochota, author of Secret Britain and Hidden Histories


'A lyrical account of slow travel through the old routes of Europe, and a paean to the even older relationship between humans and horses' James Roberts, author of Two Lights


'In Green is a deeply engaging tale of adventure and determination. This is a quest for what lies eternally beyond the horizon – risk, love, luck, the goodness of others and those inner resources we don’t know we have. A compelling account of a man and a horse in naked nature, and the joys and perils of setting off on your own.' Dr Clare Morgan, Kellogg College, Oxford University


'This coming of age adventure exploring grief, wild landscapes and the healing power of the horse heralds the arrival of a passionate and distinctive new voice in travel writing' Lucy Atkins, author of Windmill Hill


In Green takes us on the oldest of journeys. Our guides are Louis and his horse, Sasha, and their destination is Cape Finisterre, the land’s end. What we travel through as they go are landscapes of loss and love, commitment and dependency, companionship and hope. This is powerful, honest, affecting writing, a story of trust and human change' David Herd, author of Walk Song


'A brave and thrilling adventure, elegantly told. And a timely reminder of how much love and kindness there is in the world, despite everything' Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent, author of Land of the Dawn-lit Mountains

ISBN: 9781914613838

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

304 pages