Books exploring Nature, belonging, and community

A selection of recommended reads, chosen by author Nicola Chester

When we sat down for a chat with ReWild Yourself Champion and author Nicola Chester, the conversation (available to watch here) unsurprisingly turned to writing and books.

This included Nicola’s role as judge for the recently launched Climate Fiction Prize, and the power that books and stories have to help us imagine a different reality and navigate uncertainty in the face of climate change – “imagination activism” – which you can hear more about in the video below (including her fascinating analysis of Watership Down as a piece of climate fiction).

We also discussed books that explore our sense of belonging and community in Nature. This is at the heart of Nicola’s own book, the fantastic On Gallows Down, as well as her chapter in the recently released collection of essays, Wild Service, edited by Nick Hayes.

So who better to give us recommendations for fiction and non-fiction that explore these themes. Here are her picks!

All Among the Barley, by Melissa Harrison

“Wonderfully vivid and poignant inter-war rural novel …”

All Among the Barley is a poignant and evocative novel set in the rural English countryside during the 1930s. The story is narrated by Edie Mather, a bright fourteen-year-old girl living on her family’s farm. As the seasons turn, Edie’s idyllic world begins to fracture with the arrival of Constance FitzAllen, a charismatic outsider documenting traditional farming practices.

Through Edie’s eyes, we witness the clash between the old ways and the new, and the profound impact of change on her family and village. It’s a book rich in atmospheric detail, capturing a pivotal moment in history, exploring themes of identity and belonging.

The Horseman Trilogy, by Tim Pears

“…in fact, anything by Tim Pears!”

The Horseman Trilogy is a sweeping and immersive saga that spans the tumultuous years leading up to and through World War I in rural England. The story explores deep connections to the land and animals, as well as shared experiences across the social divide of class and ownership.

It’s also a journey of survival and self-discovery through the English countryside and a poignant tale exploring love, loss, and the enduring connection between humans and the natural world. Tim Pear’s writes with a detailed but lyrical prose that make The Horseman Trilogy a deeply moving account of rural life and social change.

Cold Comfort Farm, by Stella Gibbons

“A funny, but warm-hearted parody of the rural novel”

Cold Comfort Farm is a satirical novel following the adventures of Flora Poste, a recently orphaned young woman with little to her name but bucket loads of common sense and determination.

Flora finds herself at the dilapidated Cold Comfort Farm in the English countryside, a place full of bizarre and colorful characters, each with their own deep-seated issues. With wit, charm, and common sense, Flora tries to bring order to the chaos at the farm, leading to f humorous and heartwarming results.

Cold Comfort Farm a clever parody of rural melodramas, blending sharp social commentary with whimsical storytelling. It remains a timeless and entertaining exploration of human nature and the transformative power of optimism and plenty of ingenuity!

Waterland, by Graham Swift

“I Read this along time ago now, but my daughter recently read for her A Level, so I revisited it! Epic, beautifully written, deliciously unsettling: the Fens, eels and how a landscape, its history and people continue to inform, haunt, challenge and influence.”

Waterland is a highly evocative novel that threads together history, memory, and the various personal stories of its characters. Set in the atmospheric Fens of eastern England, the story is narrated by Tom Crick, a history teacher on the edge of retirement. While grappling with personal turmoil, Tom reflects on his life and the history of the landscape that has shaped him.

Tom recounts the history of the Fens, shifting between the present day and ancestral, historical and personal, delving into themes of loss, betrayal, and how our lives and understandings our shaped by the world around us. It’s an impressive and compelling exploration of the human condition, set in the wonderfully distinct and affecting landscape of the Fens.

Lark Rise to Candleford Trilogy, by Flora Thompson

“Semi-autobiographical about a working class rural community and its natural environment on the cusp of great change.”

Lark Rise to Candleford is a beautifully written celebration of rural heritage and the inevitable march of progress. Thompson’s detailed storytelling captures the spirit of a bygone era, offering readers a nostalgic and heartwarming glimpse into the past.

Through the three books, we see young woman Laura Timmins move from the close knit rural village life of Lark Rise to the bustling nearby town of Candleford, navigating the new complexity of town life and progressive ideas, in stark contrast to the rural simplicity of her earlier life.

The book is a useful reminder not to abandon or denigrate a more simple life, based around small agricultural communities, as it still has much to teach us about community, resilience and connection to nature. This is something that feels just as relevant today.