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Rewilding the Urban Soul: Searching for the Wild in the City
How can we become more in tune with nature, even in the heart of the city?
Once upon a time, a burnt-out Claire Dunn spent a year living off the grid in a wilderness survival experiment. Yet love and the possibilities of human connection drew her back to the city, where she soon found herself as overscheduled, addicted to her phone, and lost in IKEA as the rest of us. Given all the city offers — comfort, convenience, community, and opportunity — she wants to stay. But to do so, she’ll have to learn how to rewild her own urban soul.
Claire swims in city rivers, forages in the suburbs, and explores many other practices to connect to the world around her. Rewilding the Urban Soul is a field guide to being at one with nature, wherever you are.
Once upon a time, a burnt-out Claire Dunn spent a year living off the grid in a wilderness survival experiment. Yet love and the possibilities of human connection drew her back to the city, where she soon found herself as overscheduled, addicted to her phone, and lost in IKEA as the rest of us. Given all the city offers — comfort, convenience, community, and opportunity — she wants to stay. But to do so, she’ll have to learn how to rewild her own urban soul.
Claire swims in city rivers, forages in the suburbs, and explores many other practices to connect to the world around her. Rewilding the Urban Soul is a field guide to being at one with nature, wherever you are.
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2021
25 people are currently reading
489 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 2, 2021
Upon reading, I was pleased to discover my soul is already a bit wild. (Phew.) The book has definitely inspired me: more kayaking, more firepits, more dancing, more connection. The author has some lovely insights and beautiful descriptions. I learnt about collective grief, ceremony, community, mentorship. Wish I didn't read the last chapter about the fox though. It bothered me.
August 23, 2024
Guys I really tried to get through this because the premise sounded so interesting to me. How to stay connected with nature while living in a big city—we could all use some of that, right? But this book just took it to a whole different level than what I was expecting. Some people might get a lot out of it. I can definitely see the appeal. Sadly, I am not one of those people.
Also it was very much giving white feminism vibes...
DNF
Also it was very much giving white feminism vibes...
DNF
Read
August 9, 2021In Rewilding the Urban Soul, Claire asks an important question, “How can I expect us to fall in love with the world in the way that’s so needed if it’s dependent on going bush for a year? No, it has to be possible, right where we are.” A cliffhanger from that point on, Claire’s wonderful storytelling, research, and perspectives make it clear it’s not only possible, but it’s incredibly healing and fun! This book is essential for our times.
Jon Young, author of Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature and What the Robin Knows
Love makes us move to the city. Duty makes us stay. But how do we create a liveable habitat for our bodies and spirits and relations in these murderous places? You might find the answer in this book.
Tyson Yunkaporta, author of Sand Talk
In this beautifully written book, Claire Dunn encourages the reader to welcome back the fox woman with her untameable pelt and unfamiliar woody scent, to cherish numinous encounters, to fall in love with the world, to be enchanted once again. She inspires the possibility to wildness, both inner and outer, for all those living within city limits and beyond. Rewilding the Urban Soul will stir people’s souls, for sure.
Miriam Lancewood, author of Woman in the Wilderness and Wild at Heart
Claire Dunn, author of the classic My Year Without Matches, takes her next step into rewilding — the process of waking to the sit spot we call Earth. Even in cities, where the majority of people now live, we can still become indigenous to our universe. I was deeply moved by the eloquence of each page and the soul that fuels her words.
Richard Louv, author of Our Wild Calling and Last Child in the Woods
Looking for what’s untamed and true, but you’re ensconced in the city? No need to leave town. The wild is all around you — and in you, and as you — and you could not have a more seasoned, engaging, or big-hearted guide than Claire Dunn, she who has devoted years to wandering trail, thicket, and waterway, as well as the urban wilds. No matter your address, this deeply wise and spellbinding book is your portal out of the Matrix and into the Real, into the windswept world as beloved, into the mysteries of both nature and your own psyche, a siren’s song you cannot afford to resist.
Bill Plotkin, author of Soulcraft, Wild Mind, and The Journey of Soul Initiation
In the same way that Wohlleben wants us to visit the woods to connect with nature, Claire Dunn implores us to search for it within our urban environments. Spawned from a year living completely off-grid, Dunn explores the practices that make it possible for even the most ardent city slicker to enjoy a healthier relationship with the wilderness that surrounds us all.
Happy Mag, starred review
[Rewilding the Urban Soul] is made of love, and it draws us in.
Tracy Sorensen, The Newtown Review of Books
Jon Young, author of Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature and What the Robin Knows
Love makes us move to the city. Duty makes us stay. But how do we create a liveable habitat for our bodies and spirits and relations in these murderous places? You might find the answer in this book.
Tyson Yunkaporta, author of Sand Talk
In this beautifully written book, Claire Dunn encourages the reader to welcome back the fox woman with her untameable pelt and unfamiliar woody scent, to cherish numinous encounters, to fall in love with the world, to be enchanted once again. She inspires the possibility to wildness, both inner and outer, for all those living within city limits and beyond. Rewilding the Urban Soul will stir people’s souls, for sure.
Miriam Lancewood, author of Woman in the Wilderness and Wild at Heart
Claire Dunn, author of the classic My Year Without Matches, takes her next step into rewilding — the process of waking to the sit spot we call Earth. Even in cities, where the majority of people now live, we can still become indigenous to our universe. I was deeply moved by the eloquence of each page and the soul that fuels her words.
Richard Louv, author of Our Wild Calling and Last Child in the Woods
Looking for what’s untamed and true, but you’re ensconced in the city? No need to leave town. The wild is all around you — and in you, and as you — and you could not have a more seasoned, engaging, or big-hearted guide than Claire Dunn, she who has devoted years to wandering trail, thicket, and waterway, as well as the urban wilds. No matter your address, this deeply wise and spellbinding book is your portal out of the Matrix and into the Real, into the windswept world as beloved, into the mysteries of both nature and your own psyche, a siren’s song you cannot afford to resist.
Bill Plotkin, author of Soulcraft, Wild Mind, and The Journey of Soul Initiation
In the same way that Wohlleben wants us to visit the woods to connect with nature, Claire Dunn implores us to search for it within our urban environments. Spawned from a year living completely off-grid, Dunn explores the practices that make it possible for even the most ardent city slicker to enjoy a healthier relationship with the wilderness that surrounds us all.
Happy Mag, starred review
[Rewilding the Urban Soul] is made of love, and it draws us in.
Tracy Sorensen, The Newtown Review of Books
September 6, 2022
This is one of those books that will make you think, and that is often more important than what it says. It's a wander through Claire's life in Melbourne and has many interesting ideas, thoughts and some history. I suspect most of us won't go as far into rewilding our souls as Claire does, but I do think there is a need for more connection with nature and each other.
Dealing with grief is of particular interest to me at the moment so I guess that's why this bit about the sacred fire experience caught my attention.
“The sacred-fire experience taught me how critically important it is for cultural repair to reinvent such shared ceremonial containers. 'They're as old as time,' one white-haired woman told me as I sat next to her on the woven rug. 'We barely limp along without these places to connect with spirit.'
The sacred fire holds this intention for four days, sorry business for three weeks. Death in these contexts is an opportunity for greater intimacy and reciprocity, for shedding and transformation. Grief is not something to 'get rid of' - the quicker the better so as to return to being a productive and functional member of society. Instead of a nuisance, it's actually revered for the connective tissue it provides a community. Rather than a private affair, grief is a collective experience, a shared responsibility, held with equal import to celebration rites, its inevitability and universality woven into the cultural fabric of a healthy culture.”
Dealing with grief is of particular interest to me at the moment so I guess that's why this bit about the sacred fire experience caught my attention.
“The sacred-fire experience taught me how critically important it is for cultural repair to reinvent such shared ceremonial containers. 'They're as old as time,' one white-haired woman told me as I sat next to her on the woven rug. 'We barely limp along without these places to connect with spirit.'
The sacred fire holds this intention for four days, sorry business for three weeks. Death in these contexts is an opportunity for greater intimacy and reciprocity, for shedding and transformation. Grief is not something to 'get rid of' - the quicker the better so as to return to being a productive and functional member of society. Instead of a nuisance, it's actually revered for the connective tissue it provides a community. Rather than a private affair, grief is a collective experience, a shared responsibility, held with equal import to celebration rites, its inevitability and universality woven into the cultural fabric of a healthy culture.”
August 23, 2021
This is not at all what I expected but I really enjoyed this book. Claire Dunn is moving to Melbourne after a yearlong residency (the Independent Wilderness Studies Program) that she spent in the bush, learning survival skills and foraging for her food, building her own shelter, making her own clothes... Now that she's moving to the city she is desperate to keep that connection to nature and the book documents that search for the connection. It's full of interesting anecdotes and ideas - her sit spot where she observes nature, her time swimming in the river, excursions foraging with friends and experts, time spent teaching children about the outdoors... It's pleasantly written - a thoughtful memoir with a lot of nature, adventures, friendships; at times maybe too spiritual and hippy-ish for me, but that could be just me.
am also not convinced by the last chapter
The epilogue on Covid was lovely and refreshing.
Overall I would recommend it still - it's imperfect but it was enjoyable, informative and at times even inspiring.
Free ARC sent by Netgalley.
am also not convinced by the last chapter
The epilogue on Covid was lovely and refreshing.
Overall I would recommend it still - it's imperfect but it was enjoyable, informative and at times even inspiring.
Free ARC sent by Netgalley.
September 12, 2022
I was gifted this book by a friend of mine... We are both very interested in the idea of nature Rewilding and so were intrigued by this concept. She was lucky enough to hear the author give a talk.
This book is a real wakeup call about how we need to increase social interconnectedness and also try to revel in the nature around us, no matter how urbanised we think our location is. Nature is everywhere.
I was really interested in the idea of foraging and will be looking into this further.
This book is a real wakeup call about how we need to increase social interconnectedness and also try to revel in the nature around us, no matter how urbanised we think our location is. Nature is everywhere.
I was really interested in the idea of foraging and will be looking into this further.
March 8, 2022
Claire Dunn and her passion for living wild really intrigues me but there is something about her books that makes me reach for another book to read instead. I finally finished it but it was a slog at times.
October 8, 2021
A gorgeous meander through urban Melbourne that reminds me that no matter where you are you can find connection to nature and build community. ❤️
August 13, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Rewilding the Urban Soul is a compelling look at the connections to nature which humans need to thrive and connect with their surroundings presented by Claire Dunn. Released 1st June 2021 by Scribe, it's 336 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
There have been so many studies and research showing that living a life divorced from nature and wildness increases stress and has a negative effect on mental and physical health. The need for nature connection has led to movements to change the way we educate (more wilderness and outdoor time for preschoolers through university students), green spaces in our workplaces, even "prescriptions" for outdoor and nature/wild time for everything from stress to depression to physical issues such as autoimmune flare-ups.
This book does a good job of showing how (and why) we can and should incorporate more nature into our daily lives and through multiple conversational essays and encounters with naturalists, enthusiasts, friends, housemates, and others, she makes a compelling argument - when we are removed from our natural environment, we lose something essential to ourselves and we are the poorer for it.
The book includes a lot of rumination about how a paradigm built on barter and foraging can change the entire system from a cash/credit-based society. There's also valuable epilogue written during the early-to-middle pandemic, showing how the author and her friends and housemates were impacted and coped with the enforced isolation and restrictions.
Although there's quite a lot of good information here about foraging, wildcrafting (not a how-to manual, but learning about it), mentoring, our interconnections and more, there's also some information which might be potentially distressing to some readers. The last chapter was difficult for me to read in some ways, since it contains a fair bit of blood and guts (in the author's words), and also because I personally felt there was some lack of respect one aspect of her description of skinning a fox (to be used for fur).
Five stars, with the codicil that it's not a happy fuzzy book for vegans. This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, fans of natural history and nonfiction, or the home library.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Rewilding the Urban Soul is a compelling look at the connections to nature which humans need to thrive and connect with their surroundings presented by Claire Dunn. Released 1st June 2021 by Scribe, it's 336 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
There have been so many studies and research showing that living a life divorced from nature and wildness increases stress and has a negative effect on mental and physical health. The need for nature connection has led to movements to change the way we educate (more wilderness and outdoor time for preschoolers through university students), green spaces in our workplaces, even "prescriptions" for outdoor and nature/wild time for everything from stress to depression to physical issues such as autoimmune flare-ups.
This book does a good job of showing how (and why) we can and should incorporate more nature into our daily lives and through multiple conversational essays and encounters with naturalists, enthusiasts, friends, housemates, and others, she makes a compelling argument - when we are removed from our natural environment, we lose something essential to ourselves and we are the poorer for it.
The book includes a lot of rumination about how a paradigm built on barter and foraging can change the entire system from a cash/credit-based society. There's also valuable epilogue written during the early-to-middle pandemic, showing how the author and her friends and housemates were impacted and coped with the enforced isolation and restrictions.
Although there's quite a lot of good information here about foraging, wildcrafting (not a how-to manual, but learning about it), mentoring, our interconnections and more, there's also some information which might be potentially distressing to some readers. The last chapter was difficult for me to read in some ways, since it contains a fair bit of blood and guts (in the author's words), and also because I personally felt there was some lack of respect one aspect of her description of skinning a fox (to be used for fur).
Five stars, with the codicil that it's not a happy fuzzy book for vegans. This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, fans of natural history and nonfiction, or the home library.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Read
October 15, 2025In Rewilding the Urban Soul, Claire Dunn offers an intimate and restorative exploration of what it means to live connected to nature even within the noise and density of city life. Drawing from her own journey from wilderness immersion back into urban modernity, Dunn asks a profound question: can we rediscover our wildness without retreating from the world?
Her reflections move seamlessly between memoir and manual. From swimming in city rivers to foraging in suburban parks, Dunn crafts a vision of “urban ecology” that is personal, accessible, and deeply spiritual. Each vignette feels like an invitation to notice more to see the sacred within the ordinary, the organic within the constructed.
What makes the book stand out is its honesty. Dunn doesn��t romanticize rewilding; she situates it within the realities of modern living, exploring burnout, distraction, and the quiet ache of disconnection. Rewilding the Urban Soul becomes a map for remembering how to belong to both city and earth.
Her reflections move seamlessly between memoir and manual. From swimming in city rivers to foraging in suburban parks, Dunn crafts a vision of “urban ecology” that is personal, accessible, and deeply spiritual. Each vignette feels like an invitation to notice more to see the sacred within the ordinary, the organic within the constructed.
What makes the book stand out is its honesty. Dunn doesn��t romanticize rewilding; she situates it within the realities of modern living, exploring burnout, distraction, and the quiet ache of disconnection. Rewilding the Urban Soul becomes a map for remembering how to belong to both city and earth.
April 15, 2022
Thank you Claire! This was the book I was needing for my soul to recover. After taking time off from work related stress your book helped me get back with nature and take some much needed time to sit and be with myself. I’m a person who likes to keep busy and always has a list of things to do but it’s nice now to include sit spot on my daily list. The last 4 weeks have been spent a lot in my garden tending my vegetables and enjoying my beehive. Now my husband has been joining me on daily walks and taking time to sit down himself also. Having already told my family and friends of your book, they’ve also found their sit spot and are loving the idea of it. So thank you again for rewilding not just me but also the people around me.
September 8, 2021
Thank you to the author, Scribe UK and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The conversational memoir explores what it means to incorporate nature into our daily lives. Lots of great thoughts, information and inspiration about getting/staying connected to nature and how that influences and helps us to thrive. It wasn't quite what I expected, but I enjoyed this a lot - with one very big exception: the last chapter which includes a lot of blood and guts, and so little respect for nature. That kind of left a bad taste in my mouth, after what was otherwise a great book.
The conversational memoir explores what it means to incorporate nature into our daily lives. Lots of great thoughts, information and inspiration about getting/staying connected to nature and how that influences and helps us to thrive. It wasn't quite what I expected, but I enjoyed this a lot - with one very big exception: the last chapter which includes a lot of blood and guts, and so little respect for nature. That kind of left a bad taste in my mouth, after what was otherwise a great book.
February 8, 2022
Initially, the book was compelling and full of inspiration for a fuller connection nature in an urban setting. However, chapter 10 onwards (excluding chapter 11 - my fav chapter) I started to lose touch with the premise of searching for wild in the city. The words lost touch with the common urbanite (me) and turned a little inaccessible and, to be frank, undesirable. The end really collapsed but I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning and have so much to take in my journey of city living! Claire has provided me with steps closer to rewilding my urban soul.
September 14, 2022
Really great insight into reconnecting with nature, oursevles and society outside of modern approaches. I truly appreciate her perspective and willingness to share story but feel it may be more appropriately directed to someone who could use a shift in thought. Someone feeling restless and searching for time and space... I mean, aren't we all? Perhaps this book would be best absorbed in slower doses over a longer period of time.
May 5, 2025
Hmm...
Generally, this is a great book with many wonderful ideas to try and experiences to be hand.
The writing isn't fantastic, but shines here and there.
Spoiler alert: the last chapter will turn a lot of readers off. Very odd to spend so much time describing how to get closer to nature in the city, just to end with a series of (unnecessarily?) killed foxes to make a fox coat.
Nonetheless, the rest of the book makes it worth it.
Generally, this is a great book with many wonderful ideas to try and experiences to be hand.
The writing isn't fantastic, but shines here and there.
Spoiler alert: the last chapter will turn a lot of readers off. Very odd to spend so much time describing how to get closer to nature in the city, just to end with a series of (unnecessarily?) killed foxes to make a fox coat.
Nonetheless, the rest of the book makes it worth it.
May 6, 2022
An immersive read which took me 3 months, but in whole honesty, a book like this shouldn't be rushed. I loved it wholeheartedly, with an exception of the last chapter. Nonetheless, the book is a beautiful ode to nature and the interconnectedness of the world. Highly recommend if you're a fan of books like Braiding Sweetgrass.
July 12, 2021
This is beautifully written, with conversations and stories that will stay with you and inspire you get a little bit more wild. Claire has collected wildness from so many people, that I feel everyone will be able to take something from this book and find something that they can get started with.
January 26, 2023
This book was exactly what I needed to read.
Nursing through a pandemic has been a TOUGH gig and has left me depleted and disconnected from myself, my community and my environment. This book has been the reminder that I needed that love, wonder and nourishment are all around me. Thank you 💚
Nursing through a pandemic has been a TOUGH gig and has left me depleted and disconnected from myself, my community and my environment. This book has been the reminder that I needed that love, wonder and nourishment are all around me. Thank you 💚
June 1, 2023
Wow, I’m so glad I read this book!! It really spoke to me. I had heard of Rewilding from an ecological context but not a human self reflective one. I definitely recommend this book if you are a city person with a wild soul like me.
September 27, 2021
It is almost story like of how she writes about this adventure. It is an interesting read and I am glad I read it, but am unsure of picking it up again.
June 16, 2022
Enjoyed reading this book as it was located in areas that I am familiar with
June 14, 2023
Made me think a lot, about community, urban wildlife, our connection to the land. Despite being based on Melbourne it very much resonated with a U.K. suburban experience. Really recommend it.
January 3, 2024
Wow! This book took me to such a place of curiosity and wonder that I felt like I could only devour it slowly in tiny bites, then go outside to explore.
February 7, 2024
Beautiful. Read slowly to savour.
May 2, 2025
Okay, just not very relatable to me.I thought it would be more of an instructional self help style book, but was more about the authors story and life. Still interesting but wouldn’t read again
Read
July 7, 2025Had to bring it back to the library, but I do want to finish it at some point!
June 26, 2025
DNF with 54 minutes to go on the audiobook. It’s just too weird. It got even more spiritual towards the end. It’s just like her first book ‘My Year Without Matches’, except she’s in a house share by the river in a city. It doesn’t feel like the book is set in the city, though. She spends all her time at parkland teaching a group about connecting with the land, exploring the land & rivers, noting what animals hang around their sit spots & look out for their scat, going on a canoe trip down the river- they even go to hand built sweat lodge in someone’s backyard. I skipped ahead every now & then.
I was expecting more of a book about city living with natural experiences thrown in- farmer’s markets, community gardens, Guerilla edible gardens on nature strips, cultivating natural & edible gardens in your backyard or balcony, finding local food & handmade products. That kind of thing. But it’s was more tribal/primal than I was wanting. Perhaps you’ll love it, but I didn’t.
I was expecting more of a book about city living with natural experiences thrown in- farmer’s markets, community gardens, Guerilla edible gardens on nature strips, cultivating natural & edible gardens in your backyard or balcony, finding local food & handmade products. That kind of thing. But it’s was more tribal/primal than I was wanting. Perhaps you’ll love it, but I didn’t.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews