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Walking Through Shadows: A Journey of Loss and Renewal
Walking Through Shadows describes a winter walk in memory of the author’s friend, Clive Dennier, a popular Inverness journalist, who died in Knoydart in March 2013 but whose body was found only some weeks later. The journey begins at Whiten Head on the north Sutherland coast and ends at Kinloch Hourn in Knoydart, the place where Clive was eventually found. Mike Cawthorne undertook the walk with his friend, Nick (also a friend of Clive’s), from mid-January to late February 2015. Their walk traversed the wildest and most remote areas of Britain, often in atrocious winter conditions. The walkers were entirely reliant on food parcels buried beforehand.
As well as describing some the last wild places in Scotland in the heart of winter the narrative explores themes of grief, chance, mental illness and ecological damage. The author’s companion is struggling throughout with the effects of severe mental illness but sees in the walk the hope of some relief from this suffering. The walkers are asking a whether the hills can heal at a human level and whether the hills can themselves be healed. In the shadow of the Anthropocene Mike Cawthorne evokes the darkness of winter, of two individuals seeking answers, alone in a freezing wilderness that is both beautiful and moribund. In the context of an extreme mountaineering adventure, he is grappling with issues of vital importance to us all.
As well as describing some the last wild places in Scotland in the heart of winter the narrative explores themes of grief, chance, mental illness and ecological damage. The author’s companion is struggling throughout with the effects of severe mental illness but sees in the walk the hope of some relief from this suffering. The walkers are asking a whether the hills can heal at a human level and whether the hills can themselves be healed. In the shadow of the Anthropocene Mike Cawthorne evokes the darkness of winter, of two individuals seeking answers, alone in a freezing wilderness that is both beautiful and moribund. In the context of an extreme mountaineering adventure, he is grappling with issues of vital importance to us all.
224 pages, Paperback
Published August 20, 2019
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March 16, 2020
Mike and a friend undertake a five-week trip through the Scottish Highlands in January/February 2015. During this winter trip, they use only bothies (remote buildings/huts) and tents, and dig up previously buried food parcels. They climb mountains, wade freezing rivers, and journey hundreds of miles through snow.
The book commemorates Mike's friend, Clive Denier, who died in the Knoydart area of the Scottish Highlands in 2013. For much of the book the author's style is reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy, which darkness atmosphere, evoking the shadow of grief. In this, the author excels at conveying the bleakness of being left on this world when those we love depart it.
The author uses flashbacks to great affect, speaking with much joy about Clive, and the adventures they both had. His heart, one very much of a British stiff-upper-lip, reveals itself to be sensitive, and one that longs for the companion he has lost. Throughout the book, Mike's sadness falls across the letters, moistening each page, bringing to life the memory of his friend through prose that describes a verdant landscape white-washed by snow. Literally, I was there with him through this excellently-written work, walking with him, understanding his sorrow, but unable to ease the pain.
Mike, with his travel companion, discuss many things, including subjects of an environmental nature. This will be of interest to those who enjoy the Scottish Highlands, and the impact of humankind on the environment. In all, a must read for anyone interested in the Scottish Mountains, adventure or the environment. And also for those who mourn.
The book commemorates Mike's friend, Clive Denier, who died in the Knoydart area of the Scottish Highlands in 2013. For much of the book the author's style is reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy, which darkness atmosphere, evoking the shadow of grief. In this, the author excels at conveying the bleakness of being left on this world when those we love depart it.
The author uses flashbacks to great affect, speaking with much joy about Clive, and the adventures they both had. His heart, one very much of a British stiff-upper-lip, reveals itself to be sensitive, and one that longs for the companion he has lost. Throughout the book, Mike's sadness falls across the letters, moistening each page, bringing to life the memory of his friend through prose that describes a verdant landscape white-washed by snow. Literally, I was there with him through this excellently-written work, walking with him, understanding his sorrow, but unable to ease the pain.
Mike, with his travel companion, discuss many things, including subjects of an environmental nature. This will be of interest to those who enjoy the Scottish Highlands, and the impact of humankind on the environment. In all, a must read for anyone interested in the Scottish Mountains, adventure or the environment. And also for those who mourn.
Displaying 1 of 1 review