A Feeling for Rock

by Sarah-Jane Dobner

A Feeling for Rock is a visceral exploration of rock climbing as a passion and lifestyle. A mix of poetry, cartoons, essays, interviews, weavings, photographs and technical tips conveys the experience of being bamboozled by a route, connecting with the landscape or flicking through a guidebook. In addition, the book ventures into ethical regions of gender bias and privilege and questions our relations with each other and the rock. Chapters are headed by different feelings - Love, Curiosity, Astonishment, Pain, Lust, Fear, Wonder and so on - which lie at the core of a climbing life. Being full of pictures soft to the touch, it is also rather a beautiful item to hold in your hands.

268 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2021

About the author

Passionate rock climber and poet with a great love of sea cliffs.

Reviews

[Lyle Closs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific book giving a wide range of views and ideas about climbing today in articles, poems and short stories. Sarah-Jane climbs regularly and has a great feeling for climbing and climbers. She explores both her thoughtful and emotional responses to climbing and the world of climbers, and their place in the wider world. It's an easy book to read and can be dipped in and out of at will. Very enjoyable.

[Jonny Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

MAN this lady loves rocks. All jokes aside this is a great collection of poems, essays, articles, ideas....if you're into rocks.

[Zac Gordon-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really inspiring and thoughtful book, I'm going to take the tips with me, as well as the beautifully articulated comments and musings, that makes this such an excellent read.

[Steve Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really appreciated the personal stories of a regular climber. Some nice observations.