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Under the Hornbeams
- A True Story of Life in the Open
- Narrated by: Emma Tarlo
- Length: 11 hrs and 58 mins
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Under the Hornbeams
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Summary
'I'm not homeless: this is my home!'
Nick points to the branches of the hornbeam under which we are standing, its leaves still glistening in the aftermath of the morning rain. On one of the lower branches sits a robin, joining our conversation. It seems to be saying: Why should anyone want to leave this place?
Nick and Pascal live and sleep outside in central London. They are an unusual duo: Nick is an avid reader of history and philosophy able to converse on any topic; Pascal is quiet, spending much of his time lying still, communicating silently with birds and animals. They have lived alongside each other in London's streets for nearly two decades, yet do not identify as homeless. For the past five years they have taken shelter under the hornbeam trees in Regent's Park.
Emma Tarlo first meets Nick and Pascal when out walking. Gradually through the sharing of food, conversation and life stories they develop a friendship. Emma is impressed by their unique way of experiencing both the hardship and pleasures of life outside, and their conversations under the open sky prompt Emma to question many things in her own life, transforming her understanding of what freedom might look like.
Under the Hornbeams follows the seasons of a single year through sun, wind, rain and snow. Returning to the park almost daily, Emma meets the community of people, dogs and birds who gravitate around Nick and Pascal and discovers the precarious networks of giving and receiving that exist undetected in London's streets. The result is a life-affirming story that pays homage to the power of human connection and upturns many of our preconceptions about home, family, work and community. This is a book that will stay with you long after finishing it.
What listeners say about Under the Hornbeams
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jackie
- 02-03-24
Few words exist to reflect the depth of this book....heart and mind changing.
...I could write a thousand words or no words because the impact this book has made on my heart and soul is much more more a feeling. While revealing the depth of the storyteller and her circle and the main characters, the inner journey I made was complex, insightful and humbling in a way I am sure each individual listener will also find a personal experience. Thank you so much for sharing so openly.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- bjh
- 12-05-24
A gentle captivating reveal of life intertwined with nature
The author Emma slowly adjusts to a life observing and gradually intertwining with the trees and life in the ever changing Regents park. She follows and joins the lead of self proclaimed “hobos” Nick and Pascal, total advocates of living within and as part of nature, with no shelter other than the canopies of the hornbeam trees. The conversations of the three, frequently joined by B (and Lizzie his adored rescue dog) serve to nurture all four as the seasons change during the course of a year. A gently paced book, the enduring nurture and beauty of trees in the natural world
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jollypop
- 06-03-24
Very thought provoking.
This book made me think about many aspects of life and attitudes. It was calming and made me grateful and appreciative of many aspects of life. Thank you
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- J MYLES
- 29-01-24
An indelible footprint
This is no ordinary book. It changes everyone who listens to it or reads it. It is a profoundly moving meditation on the human spirit, challenging, humorous at times, and a glimpse of goodness, kindness, spiritual depth, modesty and honesty when the world lacks much of these things. It restored my faith in humanity. Gratitude to Emma Tarlo for sharing this experience AND for reading her own work so beautifully.
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2 people found this helpful
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- BleakMid
- 21-05-24
Soulful
A beautiful audiobook. A subtle story in a way but also sacred and moving and so human. The author reads it perfectly
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- Sophie C Butcher
- 29-05-24
insight into hobos
Before reading this book I was guilty of lumping all hobos and homeless people into one group of the 'unfortunates' or the 'hopeless'. It turns out that I had a lot to learn, Emma educated me in a gentle and delightful way, introducing me to Nick and Pascal... and it would be really nice if we, as a society, could find a way to be more relaxed about people who choose to walk a different path from the rest of us, and allow them space to live as and where they want to, while supporting people who have been made homeless, and do not wish to remain
so, to rejoin the beaten path.
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