I Belong Here: A Journey Along the Backbone of Britain: WINNER OF THE 2021 BOOKS ARE MY BAG READERS AWARD FOR NON-FICTION

I Belong Here is a powerful and inspiring book that explores identity, nature, place, and belonging through the natural landscapes of the North. It was written by Anita Sethi, who was the victim of a race-hate crime in Northern England and experienced panic attacks and anxiety. The book is a journey of reclamation, showing that this is her land too and she belongs in the UK as much as a white man does. It offers hope and beauty after brutality and transforms her personal experience into one of universal resonance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 12 May 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Winner of the 2021 Books Are My Bag Readers Award for Non-Fiction, Shortlisted for the 2021 Wainwright Prize, Anita Sethi's I Belong Here is a captivating exploration of identity, nature, place, and belonging. Set against the backdrop of Northern England, the book chronicles Anita's journey of reclamation after she becomes the victim of a race-hate crime. The crime is a vicious attack on her right to exist in a place solely because of her race, leaving Anita with panic attacks and anxiety. However, she refuses to let her experience hinder her freedom of travel and exploration.

The Pennines, known as the backbone of Britain, runs through the north and connects the region with the south, east, and west. It is a place of borderlands, limestone, rivers, scars, fells, and forces. Despite a racist's warning to leave, Anita is drawn to the Pennines, feeling a magnetic force that compels her to further explore the area she regards as her home. Anita's journey through the natural landscapes of the North is a testament to her resilience and determination. It is a way of reclaiming her land and asserting her belonging in the UK, as much as a white man does.

Through her journey, Anita transforms what began as an ugly experience of hate into one that offers hope and finding. She discovers the beauty of the North, its landscapes, and its inhabitants, and finds solace and healing in nature. I Belong Here is a powerful and refreshing new voice in nature writing, offering a profound meditation on identity, nature, and the human experience. It is a must-read for anyone who seeks to understand the complexities of our world and the importance of belonging.

Weight: 224g
Dimension: 129 x 199 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472983954