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Threads: Finding pattern in the everyday
A lyrical journey through life, love and nature
Weaving together personal stories, Threads deals with the meanings of intimacy, vulnerability and our affinities with people and places, both wild and tame. It is a deep exploration of the encounters that lend quiet networks of grace to our busy lives.
William Henry Searle casts an eye back to episodes spent in close and tender relationships with members of his family, childhood friends, animals and loved ones, in places that range from his father’s scrap metal yards, to the jungles of Borneo, an Oregon river and the Swiss Alps.
In thoughtful, elegant prose, Searle celebrates the quiet conversations that nourish us, and the everyday patterns of connection that give meaning to our human existence.
Weaving together personal stories, Threads deals with the meanings of intimacy, vulnerability and our affinities with people and places, both wild and tame. It is a deep exploration of the encounters that lend quiet networks of grace to our busy lives.
William Henry Searle casts an eye back to episodes spent in close and tender relationships with members of his family, childhood friends, animals and loved ones, in places that range from his father’s scrap metal yards, to the jungles of Borneo, an Oregon river and the Swiss Alps.
In thoughtful, elegant prose, Searle celebrates the quiet conversations that nourish us, and the everyday patterns of connection that give meaning to our human existence.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published February 21, 2019
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161 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 10, 2024
No idea why there are so many low ratings of this book, it’s beautifully written, lots of poetic metaphors but the author painted vivid and touching pictures of people and places. My favourite book is only rated 3.1 on Goodreads so I guess the moral is, read whatever the hell you want and every once in a while a great book like this comes along.
February 19, 2019
(thank you to Penguin Random House for my uncorrected proof copy):
I always find it difficult to write not-so-favourable reviews, especially if I am gifted a copy of the book, but honesty must always prevail: I struggled a lot with this one. Its premise is right up my street – nature writing, memoir, the threads that bind us all together. This book is essentially a collection of small moments, memories, throughout the author’s life that in some way are meaningful to the way he perceives the world and those around him.
I knew from the first few pages that it might not turn out to be a favourite. Searle is also a poet, and this is clear from his writing style: the writing is very flowery and jam-packed with metaphors and adjectives (though I am very much of the belief that these things are not necessary for poetry in any way). He doesn’t seem to be an effortless poet, however. Some passages seem forced, much seems to be made into poetic musings when it didn’t need to be – in short, it felt rather like he tried too hard most of the time, that every single moment had to lift him up and provide a higher meaning, had to be filled with otherworldly colours and impressions. The result was that I struggled to keep my focus when reading, and I constantly had to go back and read sentences again. It took me a week to read this rather short (187 pages in the proof) book, mainly because I didn’t look forward much to sitting down and reading. I, personally, prefer simpler writing.
Then again, if your entire book is flowery and poetic, and your reader is sometimes into this, you’re bound to hit the right spot at some point – and Searle did do that for me a handful of times. The best part for me was the fourth and final one: Winter. His writing seemed to come a bit more into its stride, it felt a little easier on the eyes and mind. There are some touching moments throughout and some that genuinely made me want to read on, but overall it wasn’t the best reading experience. I might’ve DNFed it if it weren’t gifted to me (I think it’s good manners to finish something you were gifted, but that might just be me).
Rating: somewhere between 2.5 and 3 stars.
I always find it difficult to write not-so-favourable reviews, especially if I am gifted a copy of the book, but honesty must always prevail: I struggled a lot with this one. Its premise is right up my street – nature writing, memoir, the threads that bind us all together. This book is essentially a collection of small moments, memories, throughout the author’s life that in some way are meaningful to the way he perceives the world and those around him.
I knew from the first few pages that it might not turn out to be a favourite. Searle is also a poet, and this is clear from his writing style: the writing is very flowery and jam-packed with metaphors and adjectives (though I am very much of the belief that these things are not necessary for poetry in any way). He doesn’t seem to be an effortless poet, however. Some passages seem forced, much seems to be made into poetic musings when it didn’t need to be – in short, it felt rather like he tried too hard most of the time, that every single moment had to lift him up and provide a higher meaning, had to be filled with otherworldly colours and impressions. The result was that I struggled to keep my focus when reading, and I constantly had to go back and read sentences again. It took me a week to read this rather short (187 pages in the proof) book, mainly because I didn’t look forward much to sitting down and reading. I, personally, prefer simpler writing.
Then again, if your entire book is flowery and poetic, and your reader is sometimes into this, you’re bound to hit the right spot at some point – and Searle did do that for me a handful of times. The best part for me was the fourth and final one: Winter. His writing seemed to come a bit more into its stride, it felt a little easier on the eyes and mind. There are some touching moments throughout and some that genuinely made me want to read on, but overall it wasn’t the best reading experience. I might’ve DNFed it if it weren’t gifted to me (I think it’s good manners to finish something you were gifted, but that might just be me).
Rating: somewhere between 2.5 and 3 stars.
December 1, 2018
“The commonplace is sometimes the most extraordinary place we could ever be” Not only is this sentence both so simply put and incredibly powerful at the same time, but it also nicely sums up the message of this book. At any one given moment in time whether that be at the top of Snowdon or in a scrap yard with our parents we are connected to nature and those connections are spellbinding. It is as if these single moments last a lifetime and can change your entire perception of the world.
Threads in broken into 4 seasons each full of eloquently written poems and prose that are all devastatingly beautiful. The imagery has a natural flow so neatly mimicking what it is describing. Searle brings beauty into the everyday life in a way that is so personal yet doesn’t feel invasive at all. Instead the language is welcoming, delicately written and thoughtful.
The word ‘Threads’ is the title of the book, mentioned multiple times throughout and I believe could have multiple images to different people. I like to imagine a piece of thread hanging loosely off a piece of clothing. It is proudly independent from the rest yet it is still connected to them creating one giant piece of fabric. This is fundamental structure; each story is independent yet when threaded together and read as a whole creates this narrative of companionship with the natural world and how it connects people to others and the environment. We are all connected by threads; these threads being love and intimacy for example, that we as a human race, need to work on strengthening.
I found it hard to put my feelings into words how beautifully written this book is because I’ve never read anything like it. I therefore would like to thank Ellie at Penguin Random House for sending me this advanced copy and enlightening me to this whole new world of literature.
Threads in broken into 4 seasons each full of eloquently written poems and prose that are all devastatingly beautiful. The imagery has a natural flow so neatly mimicking what it is describing. Searle brings beauty into the everyday life in a way that is so personal yet doesn’t feel invasive at all. Instead the language is welcoming, delicately written and thoughtful.
The word ‘Threads’ is the title of the book, mentioned multiple times throughout and I believe could have multiple images to different people. I like to imagine a piece of thread hanging loosely off a piece of clothing. It is proudly independent from the rest yet it is still connected to them creating one giant piece of fabric. This is fundamental structure; each story is independent yet when threaded together and read as a whole creates this narrative of companionship with the natural world and how it connects people to others and the environment. We are all connected by threads; these threads being love and intimacy for example, that we as a human race, need to work on strengthening.
I found it hard to put my feelings into words how beautifully written this book is because I’ve never read anything like it. I therefore would like to thank Ellie at Penguin Random House for sending me this advanced copy and enlightening me to this whole new world of literature.
January 25, 2019
The commonplace is sometimes the most extraordinary place we could ever be.'
Threads by William Henry Searle is a beautiful collection of prose and poetry, divided into seasons. He looks back at episodes in his life, time with his family, friends, beloved animals, in places that range from his father’s scrap metal yards, to the jungles of Borneo, an Oregon river and the Swiss Alps; Time spent with his wife, Amy, during a brief respite from bipolar, feeling the kicks of the daughter, not realising she would come into the world still-born, and reconnecting with his father and brother.
He describes the connections between family and landscape, and how the need for answers dwindles when we 'stay with living things - the trees, the sky, the rain the rocks, the very ground beneath your feet that supports not only you but those you love and those who love you in turn - and I'm time you will be rooted into a rooted place. Settled.'
He describes how experiences can become inconsequential if we don't hold onto our memories. And throughout there is that analogy of threads: these can be knotted through disconnection, mended through reunion, broken through death. Made stronger through meaningful connections.
I loved this subtle, sensitive and touching ode to nature and family.
Published 21st February
Thanks Ellie from Windmill Books for arc.
Threads by William Henry Searle is a beautiful collection of prose and poetry, divided into seasons. He looks back at episodes in his life, time with his family, friends, beloved animals, in places that range from his father’s scrap metal yards, to the jungles of Borneo, an Oregon river and the Swiss Alps; Time spent with his wife, Amy, during a brief respite from bipolar, feeling the kicks of the daughter, not realising she would come into the world still-born, and reconnecting with his father and brother.
He describes the connections between family and landscape, and how the need for answers dwindles when we 'stay with living things - the trees, the sky, the rain the rocks, the very ground beneath your feet that supports not only you but those you love and those who love you in turn - and I'm time you will be rooted into a rooted place. Settled.'
He describes how experiences can become inconsequential if we don't hold onto our memories. And throughout there is that analogy of threads: these can be knotted through disconnection, mended through reunion, broken through death. Made stronger through meaningful connections.
I loved this subtle, sensitive and touching ode to nature and family.
Published 21st February
Thanks Ellie from Windmill Books for arc.
February 20, 2019
I would love to write a glowing review for this book. After all, it does have a shiny cover in real life which is pretty gor-geous! Unfortunately, that won't be happening 🙊 When I read nonfiction, I have to connect with the writing in some way or another. On second thoughts, I guess that comes with all the books we read. Searle writes personal stories about everyday life and the impact it has on us. This one is described as 'a lyrical journey through life, love and nature.' I was really looking forward to it.
However, as you may have gathered, I struggled with this one. The language is flowery and fluffy; I skim read a lot of it. The book is divided in seasons and includes pictures too. Searle writes about his wife's miscarriage, her bipolar and a friend's injury. His focus is on capturing what's real and reducing our reliance on technology; trying to make sure we don't lose what's natural to us. I wish I didn't find it such a hard slog to get through.
If it still sounds up your street, this is out on February 21st. My copy is a proof.
Rating: anywhere between 2.5 - 3🌟
However, as you may have gathered, I struggled with this one. The language is flowery and fluffy; I skim read a lot of it. The book is divided in seasons and includes pictures too. Searle writes about his wife's miscarriage, her bipolar and a friend's injury. His focus is on capturing what's real and reducing our reliance on technology; trying to make sure we don't lose what's natural to us. I wish I didn't find it such a hard slog to get through.
If it still sounds up your street, this is out on February 21st. My copy is a proof.
Rating: anywhere between 2.5 - 3🌟
March 15, 2019
A meditative and rewarding, but sometimes strenuous, read.
Searle writes beautifully and he isn't afraid to stride into the weather and the wilds. He covers many things; his wife's pregnancy, a tree, a sparrow, an island of mysterious animal calls, his father's scrap yard. There are some moments of pure literary astonishment like the dolphin that "raids the senses". But there are also many laborious and opaque turns of phrase that I had to wade through. Perhaps Searle will prune his style over time; I hope to see more of his work in the future.
Searle writes beautifully and he isn't afraid to stride into the weather and the wilds. He covers many things; his wife's pregnancy, a tree, a sparrow, an island of mysterious animal calls, his father's scrap yard. There are some moments of pure literary astonishment like the dolphin that "raids the senses". But there are also many laborious and opaque turns of phrase that I had to wade through. Perhaps Searle will prune his style over time; I hope to see more of his work in the future.
May 16, 2019
This is a wonderful little book, filled with vulnerability and aching portraits of landscapes and the people within them. Beautiful poetic writing, perhaps as uneven as any book of words teased out into imagery, riven through with the ache of sadness of the daughter who was still-born during the course of writing the book.
At times slow reading, at times luminous, this is some gorgeous writing.
At times slow reading, at times luminous, this is some gorgeous writing.
September 29, 2022
Really wanted to love with this one but I unfortunately just couldn't connect with it at all. There are a couple of nice poems in here, but I found the prose sections hard going and the exploration of nature, the seasons and the threads that bind us to the natural world fairly superficial. I think this just comes down to personal taste though, and I'm sure there would be lots of people who would love this one!
April 13, 2020
Threads was recommended to me by a friend with similar interests in nature. This book moved me incredibly; the descriptive passages of connections with family and to the natural environment is thoroughly absorbing. William captures these relationships beautifully in his unique and profound use of language. A magical read.
August 27, 2023
This has been such a beautifully descriptive , poetical and emotive read . Yet again I have been mesmerised by the author's writing and his relationships with his dogs, animals and his family.
i really enjoyed the chapters where he and his brother were together and the chapter with grandma - they both had me in tears , so beautifully sentimental .
i really enjoyed the chapters where he and his brother were together and the chapter with grandma - they both had me in tears , so beautifully sentimental .
January 9, 2020
Opening lines: ‘The curling of my wife’s salt-flecked hair in the south-west wind, the glimmer of relief in her eyes.’
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews