The January Man
A Year of Walking Britain
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The January Man
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Narrated by:
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Christopher Somerville
About this listen
Random House presents the unabridged downloadable audiobook edition of The January Man by Christopher Somerville, read by Christopher Somerville.
In January 2006, a month or two after my father died, I thought I saw him again - a momentary impression of an old man, a little stooped, setting off for a walk in his characteristic fawn corduroys and shabby quilted jacket. After teenage rifts it was walking that brought us closer as father and son, and this ghost of Dad has been walking at my elbow since his death, as I have ruminated on his great love of walking, his prodigious need to do it - and how and why I walk myself.
The January Man is the story of a year of walks that was inspired by a song, Dave Goulder's 'The January Man'. Month by month, season by season and region by region, Christopher Somerville walks the British Isles, following routes that continually bring his father to mind. As he travels the country - from the winter floodlands of the River Severn to the lambing pastures of Nidderdale, the towering seabird cliffs on the Shetland Isle of Foula in June and the ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest in autumn - he describes the history, wildlife, landscapes and people he encounters, down back lanes and old paths, in rain and fair weather.
This exquisitely written account of the British countryside not only inspires us to don our boots and explore the 140,000 miles of footpaths across the British Isles but also illustrates how, on long-distance walks, we can come to an understanding of ourselves and our fellow walkers. Over the hills and along the byways, Christopher Somerville examines what moulded the men of his father's generation - so reticent about their wartime experiences, so self-effacing, upright and dutiful - as he searches for the man inside the man that his own father really was.
©2017 Christopher Somerville (P)2017 Random House AudioBooksListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The January Man
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- LJB
- 22-11-23
The January Man
I could go on and on and ON listening to Christopher’s comforting tones talk of places I know and love and those I would love to explore myself. This book has kept me company and fascinated me I will miss it and am determined more than ever to do more long distance walking. Christopher’s lyrical writing, eye for and knowledge of the natural world and history make for a fascinating listen. He writes with humour and heart too about his relationships with his Dad, his family, his friends. I have absolutely loved this book and will now go and read it too as I feel listening has been a bit of a cheat ;-). A book to treasure and pass on to others.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- janice dumbrell
- 28-04-18
Wonderful
Loved it, read it many times..I felt I was with the narrator on his walks.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Tim Perkins
- 27-01-18
Captivating
I was expecting to enjoy this, but I loved it. More please from this author.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- MR ROBERT WILLIAMS
- 11-12-17
Listened 3 times in a row, loved how it made me feel & appreciate countryside & simple things
Loved it
Full with so much meaning, and extreme well spoken feeding emotion into each chapter
Can't recommend enough
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Dr. N. WOODRUFF
- 06-01-23
A walk that challenges every stride opens visions
Once you start you can't stop for the whole year, so get started right now
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- F. R.
- 05-02-19
personal and moving
beautifully read. interesting walks and landscapes. poignant story of a son's reflections on his father through his journeys.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Rose
- 22-01-19
A very impressive book
A cliche then to begin this review. A book that has everything. There is humour here and pathos. Some interesting walks well described and with a touch of family life as well. Actuallly there is one thing missing. No spying on nature by capture and ring which is a good thing in a world continuually more obsessed with the invasion of privacy of that which can’t say no. There is history too in this book and you get to see the British Isles as you’ve never seen them before or at least you might not have. On an island often accused of being overcrowding it’s noce to know there are still some places you can waalk that are truly right away from busy motoreays and the invasion of life. I’d recommend it to all purist nature lovers not wanting to be crushed by a world of curiosity and name dropping.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Richard
- 02-10-17
Inspires me to hike England & treasure loved ones.
A lovely earthy composition of richly detailed walks, taking in the flora, fauna, geography and anthropology of England. Nicely woven into this are the stories of Christopher's family, especially father. A truly enjoyable collection of experiences that invoke reflection and exploration in equal measure.
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- Mrs Curzon Tussaud
- 21-10-19
The January Man.
A book about love, walking, family, countryside; woven together in calendar months. By the time I got to listen to it, I’d forgotten ordering it or even why it had appealed to me on the Audible site. It is most sensitively narrated by the author and makes you wish more authors narrated their own works.
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1 person found this helpful
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- fieldfare
- 03-12-20
Beautiful & moving
I listened to this through the year, a chapter a month, observing the seasons along with the author. The writing is a beautiful, gentle exploration of the cycle of the seasons and the cycle of human life. I loved it.
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