Walking Away

by Simon Armitage, Sue Roberts

Walking Away [Paperback] Armitage, Simon

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Poetry, Walking, Nature, British Literature, Biography

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2015

About the author

Simon Armitage, whose The Shout was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, has published ten volumes of poetry and has received numerous honors for his work. He was appointed UK Poet Laureate in 2019

Armitage's poetry collections include Book of Matches (1993) and The Dead Sea Poems (1995). He has written two novels, Little Green Man (2001) and The White Stuff (2004), as well as All Points North (1998), a collection of essays on the north of England. He has produced a dramatised version of Homer's Odyssey and a collection of poetry entitled Tyrannosaurus Rex Versus The Corduroy Kid (which was shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize), both of which were published in July 2006. Many of Armitage's poems appear in the AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) GCSE syllabus for English Literature in the United Kingdom. These include "Homecoming", "November", "Kid", "Hitcher", and a selection of poems from Book of Matches, most notably of these "Mother any distance...". His writing is characterised by a dry Yorkshire wit combined with "an accessible, realist style and critical seriousness."

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a sequel to Walking Home, the account of his 2010 trek along the Pennine Way, Armitage walked much of the Southwest Coast Path in August–September 2013. As before, he relied on the hospitality of acquaintances and strangers to put him up along the way and transport his enormous suitcase for him so he could walk about 10 miles a day to his next poetry reading. Emulating a modern-day troubadour, Armitage passed around a sock at the end of readings for donations (though the list of other stuff people left in the sock, with which he closes the book, is quite amusing). Along the way he has coffee at Margaret Drabble’s place, meets all kinds of odd folk, and muses on the landscape and the distressing amounts of seaside rubbish. His self-deprecating style reminded me of Bill Bryson, as in “I’m almost certainly the hottest ticket in town tonight, though admittedly the petrol station across the road is still open and is selling half-price geraniums in the forecourt.” This is a notably funnier book than the first, but still full of the poetic observations you’d expect: “The path is onomatopoeic with sticky mud and squelchy soil.” A pleasant ramble of a travel book.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read and enjoyed Walking Home a few years ago, I was excited to come upon Walking Away while browsing in a London bookstore. I have to say, however, that I was a bit disappointed in this one, which is essentially the same story (only the location has changed) and thus for me lacked the freshness and originality which made Armitage's first walking foray so much fun. It often seemed, in fact, that Armitage himself was experiencing that same sense of "been there, done that" while on this walk; there was a whiff of mean-spiritedness and condescension toward some of his walking partners that I hadn't noticed in the previous book and an overall sense that this trip was a slog rather than a labor of love. Hard not to praise a book which gives poetry a starring role, but I'd recommend reading Walking Home instead.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

BOTW

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05xx8hr

Description: Not content with walking the Pennine Way as a modern day troubadour (an experience recounted in his bestseller Walking Home), Simon Armitage has followed up that journey with a walk of the same distance but through the very opposite terrain and direction, far from home.

The restless poet swaps the moorland uplands of the north for the coastal fringes of Britain's south west, once again giving readings every night, but this time through Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, taking poetry into distant communities and tourist hot-spots, busking his way from start to finish.

From the surreal pleasuredome of Minehead Butlins to a smoke-filled roundhouse on the Penwith Peninsula, then out to the Isles of Scilly and beyond, Armitage tackles this personal Odyssey with all the poetic reflection and personal wit we've come to expect from one of Britain's best loved and most popular writers.



1/5 Butlins Minehead

2/5 Busking along the south west coastal fringe

3/5 Boscastle nd the mueum of witchcraft

4/5 Port Isaac and vodka

5/5 A reading from a four-poster bed

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book of this nature from Simon Armitage, the first being his hard slog along the Pennine Way where he started in Scotland and made his way to his home town in Yorkshire. This book is a travelogue of his journey along the South West Coastal path that goes from Minehead to Land's end through Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. He makes it to the mysterious and lush Zennor and the Isles of Scilly. My enjoyment of this account was bolstered by my own love of this area and my hopes of exploring it more thoroughly. Simon viewed this journey as being "a neat symmetrical opposite to the previous adventure" but it threw up landscape that was just as grueling if not more so undulating from peak to trough along the sea cliffs. He takes on between 10-12 miles a day. He is in pain and doubts the venture. He sometimes craves companionship and at other times avoids it.

The premise of this book is great, walk from place to place being put up by volunteers or using the money gained through organised poetry readings to provide himself with bed and board. This kind of romantic endeavor mirrors the travelling medieval poets/performers and is very English.

He is slightly acerbic about some of the people he meets and not reticent about sticking the knife in. His back problems have persisted. The prose is not so much poetry and more flowing stream of consciousness, if you want poetic prose then read Robert Macfarlane. He doesn't really draw on his Geography degree or his love of Arthurian legend. He stays with the filmmaker Jane Darke, visits Coleridge's cottage and stays in Bocastle's Museum of Witchcraft whilst giving poetry readings in bookshops, pubs, living rooms, community rooms and yurts (the yurt one was quite funny). He stays in a fishing village with a fisherman who has character and there is a poignant moment where he stumbles upon a young woman sitting on the cliff edge. I found Simon Armitage to be very companionable. Although I still don't find his poetry appealing I am very sad that he intended this journey be his last venture of this kind.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

From BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week:
Not content with walking the Pennine Way as a modern day troubadour (an experience recounted in his bestseller Walking Home), Simon Armitage has followed up that journey with a walk of the same distance but through the very opposite terrain and direction, far from home.

The restless poet swaps the moorland uplands of the north for the coastal fringes of Britain's south west, once again giving readings every night, but this time through Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, taking poetry into distant communities and tourist hot-spots, busking his way from start to finish.

From the surreal pleasure dome of Minehead Butlins to a smoke-filled roundhouse on the Penwith Peninsula, then out to the Isles of Scilly and beyond, Armitage tackles this personal Odyssey with all the poetic reflection and personal wit we've come to expect from one of Britain's best loved and most popular writers.

[Russio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable account of the poet's walking journey from Minehead to the Scilly Isles via the north Coast of Devon and Cornwall. This is an improvement on the partner book, the earlier Walking Home, which I found oddly resistible in that, I guess, I could not imagine myself making the journey. A few years later and myself now a runner, I have a different perspective on physical activity and this book talked to me much more. Armitage's wry voice came across amusingly this time around and I felt that I could imagine myself taking the journey. As a result, I read this at a whip, chuckling as I went and entertained by the stories, observations and descriptions. Life is a wonderful journey and this book is a good example of writing that captures this fact.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yorkshire poet Simon Armitage decides to undertake a walk along the south west coast of England, a sort of follow-up to his previous book where he walked the Pennine Way. He pays for his bed and board along the route by giving poetry readings, attempting to be a modern troubadour. This was a lovely little read for a Sunday evening. Armitage has that meandering and amusing way of writing that reminds me of Bill Bryson. And now I want to go to Cornwall.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing, satirical and obviously poetic description of the meanderings and sojourns of a beloved poet. I really enjoyed it, easily recommended. x

[Helen Laycock · Rating 4 out of 5]

If, like me, you’ve heard Simon Armitage speak, you may well share my experience: the internal voice that I heard as I read was unmistakably his. It is lilting, mellow and unhurried, and, in direct contrast to the physical exertion of Armitage’s challenging journey, the reader is pleasantly rocked through from beginning to end. Walking Away is a book which cannot be rushed.

As a fan of Simon Armitage’s poetry, it was interesting to examine his approach to prose. You can tell he’s a poet. There are some beautiful descriptions. I was thrilled, too, at the inclusion of his poem ‘From Where I Stand’. I had heard him recite it, but hadn’t caught the title. Despite researching ‘Sea poems’, I hadn’t found it so it was a real treat to find it on p.116/117.

I was also intrigued to know what was ‘in the sock’. At his talk, Simon had been about to tell the gathered audience what had turned up in his sock, a type of collecting tin to help with his board and lodging along the way, when I’d had to leave. The answer is right at the close of the book, quite unexpected, and something that requires a bit more than a quick response!

Books about travels are not really my thing, but Simon Armitage is… so I enjoyed my virtual tour of the South West Coast Path, and, unlike Simon Armitage, I didn’t even wear out my boots.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a throughly enjoyable companion to 'Walking Home'. Same premise, long walk, put up and fed by random kind people, largely strangers, conducting poetry readings nightly. And yet it was different to Walking Home. Armitage is very much away from his home territory (although the encounter with the sister of someone he was at school with is heartbreakingly vague) The walk itself was quite different in character - the route not quite such an iconic macho feat, yet he is clear that there is much to dislike in the constant steep down and steep straight up again imposed by the coastal combes, despite all the lovely if not constant sea views. He conveys beautifully the awkwardness of being on the receiving end of people's unpredictable hospitality, despite his gratitude, and the times when he vants to be alone and then finds solitude is too much. The poetry readings were familiar territory although he saves the sock reckonings to the end this time.

There is a particularly poignant bit when his wife knows to turn up.

Some of the places were familiar and I very much enjoyed seeing them through his eyes... others have been extensively researched for holidays not taken and I enjoyed him walking through those and telling me about them still more.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book by Simon Armitage follows his walk along the south west of England's coast path - where he goes, who he meets and occasional every day thoughts and musings. I was surprised that at the start of the book the style of writing wasnt as descriptive as I would have expected from someone who is a writer, primarily a poet, but it improves. I like the fact that there are some pictures to break up the text - photos that he has taken, although they are in black and white. There are a couple of poems he has written in the book and references to other poets. 

The book itself is OK. I just felt like not much was happening and didnt really find it very interesting and it didnt really engage me so I didnt finish it (or rather, I said to Mum she didnt have to read anymore to me. People who know me well know I have trouble focusing and find listening to a book easier than reading it).

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yorkshire poet Simon Armitage walks the South West Coast path of England, with considerable time spent in Cornwall. His descriptions of physical landscapes are gorgeous, but the memoir seems crowded with detail, much like the abundance of flotsam and jetsam and litter he sees on the North Atlantic shore. The people he meets are quickly described, though their living situations are at times eccentric and many are interesting subjects. Thank goodness for Slugg, a friend who makes the journey (and the memoir) considerably brighter. Armitage's boots wore out in the middle of the hike and that seems to have led to serious pain on the trail. Still, his dry humor enlivens the slog and, like his previous book, Walking Home, he both entertains and informs the reader about a geography observed through a poet's mind.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

As is always the case with Simon Armitage, this book was a great read. I'll be honest and say that I didn't like quite as much as Walking Home, but not because the quality of the writing was any less. I think part of the reason for this is because Yorkshire holds a much greater appeal for me, being one of my favourite parts of England, and I have visited many parts of it. But I think the main reason was that the characters Simon met this time were not as rich and varied. There just didn't seem to be as many quirky, oddball, unusual people or experiences. Having said that, I still highly recommend this book. It is so well written you feel that you are taking every step with him, and his wit and humour mean that there is many a good laugh along the way.

[Snoakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon Armitage goes for a nice stroll in my neck of the woods. He's an amiable companion and cheerfully blags lifts and beds for the night in return for poetry readings around the northern half of the south west coast path. Slowly destroying both his joints and his boots he meets and travels with a diverse bunch. Very much a sequel or companion piece to Walking Home, it's pretty much more of the same. I'll even forgive him for referring to my current home stretch of Portreath and Porthtowan as 'relative non-events'. Recommended as an easy-going read - especially if you haven't got the energy to tackle it yourself.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In an earlier book Simon Armitage "walked home" from the north end of the Pennine Way to ohis home at the south end. Here he walks away long the South Coast Trail in Devon and Cornwall. This is another walk of self discovery, including the practical bit about whether a wandering poet could support himself by readings and the help of volunteer hosts along the way. Armitage has a wonderflly wry way of observing the world around him and an appreciation of the trail which seems to be a series of up and down hills. I liked this more than Walking Home because I was more familiar with the area, but, although he says this is the last walk, I can't help hoping there will be another.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't read Armitage's previous book about walking the Penines, or indeed any of his poetry. My interest in this book was the walk along the Devon and Cornwall coast. I'm personally more familiar with the south coast, but I understand why he'd choose the north instead: less touristy, more dramatic landscape, etc.
And the book works pretty well as a travelogue, with a deft mixture of personal anecdote, observation, landscape and history, with a couple of his poems thrown in to break things up (although I expected more of those). A dry, self-deprecating wit keeps it light.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that I would be receiving this as part of my 2016 Christmas bounty; but it did not arrive until my birthday 2018. As with “Walking Home” I really enjoyed it. Again it brought back memories; more so this time because I had walked a number of sections of the path and can attest to the “ups and downs” involved in almost all stretches. Again I enjoyed the poems, and recognised some of them from earlier readings. I am sad that we will get no more of these, but I do not imagine this is the last Armitage book I will read.

[Kevin Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to the book by the various positive reviews it received in the press and our attempts to walk the SW Coastal Path (in short bursts) over the years.
Armitage is a good of storyteller and I enjoyed this book very much. At times it becomes a bit repetitive and towards the end I was yearning for some alternative action but it didn't happen. Nevertheless an enjoyable read especially if you're familiar with the places visited on his journey.

[Warrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I get the feeling that Armitage didn't enjoy this coastal journey as much as his original Pennine Way version. The observations are sharply focused and insightful at times, and it's enjoyable to follow the people and the places, but like the little coastal villages he finds himself in every evening, it all feels a bit the same at times.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this. I like Simon Armitage: I like his public persona, his dry humour, his sharp observation, his honesty, his wit. It's just a pity I could never get into his poetry. This account of his walking/poetry reading tour along part of the South West Coast Path is interesting, readable, informative, entertaining and made me laugh out loud several times.

[SarahK · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable account of an epic walk across the north devon and cornwall coast. He brings his poet's eyes and ears to his surroundings and his tales of encounters with other walkers and fans are entertaining. There's nothing ground-breaking about this book but it's a gentle read which makes you appreciate the simple pleasures of walking, eating and sleeping.

[Simon Dicey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining in part. It was good to read about places I have visited and cannot see anytime soon due to lockdown. SA uses great prose and humour to describe his arduous journey. I probably would have enjoyed the book more had I not read The Salt Path last year ( an excellent book which I thoroughly recommend ).

[Lisa Hobson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this tale of a modern day troubadour as Armitage walks some of the South West coastpath. Full of amusing characters, anecdotes and 'grumpy old manness', this was alight read. Not quite as poetic in his descriptions as Walking Home though and, once again, he doesn't finish!!

[Muriel Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having recently walked the SW coast path, I enjoyed this book particularly when Simon Armitage found some of it as difficult as I did.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As ever, Armitage's unique reflections and meanderings never fail to interest and entertain.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

More enjoyable than his previous book about Walking Home. More upbeat.

[Sadie Geoghegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read about my favourite place, but not gripping. Took me a while to get through it.

[S'hi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't think too much about the wide variety of walkers and destinations while I was in Australia, but a brief trip to England made me much more aware of just how long this activity has been practiced there and throughout Europe for far more than "getting places". This book captures far more than the walking guides to encourage others. It also suggests the many views one can take of the activity in itself and within a broader frame.

[Stu Radley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather like the walk itself in the eyes of the author this follow up to Walking Home wad not quite as enjoyable as the first one but still a good read. Armitage has a warm familiar style of writing and the tales of his journey, the places he visits and the people who accompany him remains compelling to the very end. Looks like this will be Armitage's last major walk which is a shame... but like all of us the old bones tend to creak a bit more post 50!!

[Beth Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed it. A very easy book to pick up and put down whenever and still feel fully immersed in the journey. Ironically, didn't feel repetitive at all. Despite him passing virtually the same scenery everyday for 3 weeks, each day felt unique and brought a new coastal themed musing to the table.