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West: A Journey Through the Landscapes of Loss
West tells the story of Jim Perrin's life against the lives and deaths of his cherished wife and son, and the landscapes through which they travelled together. It is a complex and sensual love-story, a celebration of the beauty and redemptive power of wild nature and an extraordinary account of one man's journey towards the acceptance of devastating personal loss.
- GenresNatureNonfiction
328 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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About the author
Jim Perrin
36 books10 followers Jim Perrin is an English rock climber and travel writer.
Perrin has lived in Wales since the age of 17. Before turning to writing, he worked in Cwm Pennant as a shepherd. As a writer, he has made regular contributions to a number of newspapers and climbing magazines. As a climber, he has developed new routes, as well as making solo ascents of a number of established routes.
He has won the Boardman Tasker prize twice, first for Menlove (1985), his biography of John Menlove Edwards, and again as a joint winner (alongside Andy Cave's Learning to Breathe) for The Villain (2005), a biography of Don Whillans.
For many years he has contributed mountaineering obituaries for The Guardian (see, for example, the recent contribution on Brede Arkless). He has six children by six different partners, one, Will, also a talented climber, took his own life aged 24.
Perrin has lived in Wales since the age of 17. Before turning to writing, he worked in Cwm Pennant as a shepherd. As a writer, he has made regular contributions to a number of newspapers and climbing magazines. As a climber, he has developed new routes, as well as making solo ascents of a number of established routes.
He has won the Boardman Tasker prize twice, first for Menlove (1985), his biography of John Menlove Edwards, and again as a joint winner (alongside Andy Cave's Learning to Breathe) for The Villain (2005), a biography of Don Whillans.
For many years he has contributed mountaineering obituaries for The Guardian (see, for example, the recent contribution on Brede Arkless). He has six children by six different partners, one, Will, also a talented climber, took his own life aged 24.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 20, 2018
This book came to me when i needed it .. a gift from a stranger
I don't think any one can take away the pain of grief but when it is met it makes a difference. To read descriptions of grief that mirrored my own made me feel less alone. To read descriptions of love that mirrored my own made me feel less alone.
Jim Perrin doesn't shy away from raw emotions, the book is visceral, and at a time when i myself, in grief, feel un-skinned, it helps to read another's story of deep sorrow and loss.
But although the book is nominally about loss the underlying thread is a celebration of love and life, and the restorative power of nature, and how to negotiate a way through when death takes away a loved person, be they son, or lover.
With thanks Jim Perrin
I don't think any one can take away the pain of grief but when it is met it makes a difference. To read descriptions of grief that mirrored my own made me feel less alone. To read descriptions of love that mirrored my own made me feel less alone.
Jim Perrin doesn't shy away from raw emotions, the book is visceral, and at a time when i myself, in grief, feel un-skinned, it helps to read another's story of deep sorrow and loss.
But although the book is nominally about loss the underlying thread is a celebration of love and life, and the restorative power of nature, and how to negotiate a way through when death takes away a loved person, be they son, or lover.
With thanks Jim Perrin
Displaying 1 of 1 review