Under the hornbeams

Emma Tarlo

£10.99

In stock

Nick and Pascal live and sleep outside in central London. They are an unusual duo: Nick is an avid reader of history and philosophy able to converse on any topic; Pascal is quiet, spending much of his time lying still, communicating silently with birds and animals. They have lived alongside each other in London’s streets for nearly two decades, yet do not identify as homeless. For the past five years they have taken shelter under the hornbeam trees in Regent’s Park. Emma Tarlo first meets Nick and Pascal when out walking. Gradually through the sharing of food, conversation and life stories they develop a friendship. Emma is impressed by their unique way of experiencing both the hardship and pleasures of life outside, and their conversations under the open sky prompt Emma to question many things in her own life, transforming her understanding of what freedom might look like.

ISBN: 9780571379811 Category:

Description

‘A really worthwhile January pick-me-up’ – MARIELLA FROSTRUP

‘Reading it feels like slowing down to take a breath’ – EVENING STANDARD

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‘To sit here with my new companions, observing the sun climbing in the morning sky
until the point where it illuminates us on the dewy grass, feels like an extraordinary privilege – a taste of enchantment before the beginning of the working day.’

Emma Tarlo first meets Nick and Pascal when out walking in Regent’s Park, where they are living without shelter under the trees. Gradually, through the sharing of food and life stories, Emma develops a friendship with the pair. Their conversations under the open sky prompt Emma to question many things in her own life, transforming her understanding of what freedom might look like. Under the Hornbeams is a life-affirming story about the power of human connection which upturns our preconceptions about home, work and community.

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What readers are saying:

‘Like entering another world where quiet reflection, humour and openness are possible.’ ?????
‘If you’re feeling rather exhausted by work or by life, [it’s] a real escape’ ?????
‘Reading it is like being given time out to have a rethink.’ ?????
‘It cannot fail to change anyone profoundly’ ?????
‘Leaves you feeling at peace with our world’ ?????

Additional information

Dimensions 19.8 × 12.9 cm
Author

Publisher

Imprint

Cover

Paperback

Pages

400

Language

English

Edition
Dewey

305.5692 (edition:23)

Readership

General – Trade / Code: K

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