Landscapes of Silence: From Childhood to the Arctic

This book explores the relationship between silences, land, and human well-being, featuring personal memories and distant landscapes from childhood in England to the Canadian Arctic. Hugh Brody seeks escape from the silences he encounters, but finds profound humanity and hope in the landscapes he explores.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2023
Publisher: Faber & Faber

Renowned anthropologist and filmmaker Hugh Brody embarks on a captivating journey through personal memory and distant landscapes in his book, "Silences and Lands." Growing up on the outskirts of Sheffield, England, Brody's culinary experiences ranged from roast beef and Yorkshire pudding to the authentic flavors of his mother's home in Vienna. Despite attending Hebrew classes three times a week, he was sent to a Church of England boarding school, where he grappled with conflicting emotions and a sense of bewilderment. Seeking solace, he embarked on his first expeditions to the Arctic, a world that offered a fresh perspective on life's essence.

As he traversed these awe-inspiring landscapes, Brody discovered both the joys and the challenges of existence. In the far north, he witnessed the magnificence of nature and the resilience of the human spirit, but he also encountered instances of abuse and the silencing of voices by the forces of colonialism. Through his profound observations, Brody reveals the complexities of human well-being in these environments, where possibilities and limitations coexist.

However, it is in the realms of memory, land, and the defiance of silence that Brody finds the deepest expressions of humanity and hope. He believes that these landscapes hold the key to understanding our shared humanity and inspiring us to confront the challenges we face. In his book, Brody weaves a dazzling tapestry of personal experiences, cultural insights, and environmental observations, offering a profound exploration of the human condition and the urgent need for dialogue and understanding.

Weight: 190g
Dimension: 198 x 129 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571370948
Edition number: Main