Timeless evocation of a mountain range

Nan Shepherd's classic work on the Cairngorm range is beautifully read by Tilda Swinton with the ecstasy of the writer herself. (Only a Scot could tackle all the Gaelic names so nicely!) Because the style is poetic and meditative, however, it should probably be read rather than heard. The superb Robert MacFarlane (from whom I first learned of the book) adds context to the work, and Jeanette Winterson contributes a personal perspective.

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Was not expecting this

Was not expecting to be ‘pulled into’ this writing. I believe this book is a gift. Thank you Nan and thank you God.

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Luminous

This book is the most luminous and numinous I have read in a long time. Tilda Swinton is wonderful.

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A pinnacle of nature writing, brilliantly read

My highest recommendation if you might enjoy 20th century nature writing and poetically descriptive nonfiction. The audiobook performance by Swinton brings out the best in this powerful text by Shepherd, and the essays by Macfarlane and Winterson are great and beautifully read by the authors as well.

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Beautifully done

Beautifully written and read book and afterwards do justice to this well-crafted look at how we are in nature and how nature is in us.

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An extraordinary book!

I’ve listened to this book, read by these narrators, three times and will listen again as well as order a printed copy. It is such an extraordinary piece of writing.
Tilda Swinton, the main narrator, is in thrall with each line of this story, bringing not only the writer to life but the writer’s own senses, the wonder, awe, texture, sounds, tastes and deep mysteries of the mountain Nan Shepherd discovers, lives with, all the days and nights of her life.
A book to go to, be grounded by, in these times of global crisis and doubt.

Great audiobook, boring book

I enjoyed the audiobook. But the story didn’t te terrain me as much, only in certain parts where the author would describe certain encounters with humans.

A hidden Scottish treasure …

The Living Mountain was so much more than I expected. While traveling through Scotland and looking for a book more about the local area that we were in I stumbled on to this recommendation and came away with something special. Nan Shepherds observational weaving of her time in the Cairngorms takes you to the quite spots on the mountain as well as in yourself. She allows the reader inside a piece of Scotland that few are able to see experience.

Wonderful

The language is gorgeous, and Tilda Swinton brings exactly the right voice and humor and lilt, with a Scottish accent only where necessary, and it is necessary to hear how the place names are pronounced. I don’t always find being read to better than reading, but in this case it was. It’s also a perfect book for dipping back into the narration because the chapters have titles so I can dip back to the chapter about animals or about senses any time. I will definitely listen to this again.

Absolutely wonderful

A wonderful reading of a fantastic book. Tilda Swinton’s voice is perfect for this. The afterwords by Macfarlane and Winterson are equally powerful and amazing. Absolutely worthy of multiple listens.