Length of Road: Finding Myself in the Footsteps of John Clare: A John Murray Original

A Length of Road is a memoir, travel-writing, and literary criticism that explores class, gender, grief, and sexuality through the author's experiences and the autobiographical writing of poet John Clare. In 1841, John Clare escaped from an asylum in Epping Forest and walked over eighty miles home to Northamptonshire, suffering from poor mental health and attempting to return to his idealized first love, Mary, who had died three years earlier. In 1995, Robert decides to retrace Clare's route along the Great North Road, reflecting on the changing landscape and the evolving shape of his own family, fatherhood, masculinity, and the meaning of home.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 24 June 2021
Publisher: John Murray Press

In 1841, the peasant poet John Clare, plagued by poor mental health, escaped from an asylum in Epping Forest after being confined for four years. Driven by his yearning to reunite with his idealized first love, Mary, who had passed away three years prior, Clare embarked on a remarkable journey. Covering an astounding eighty miles, he walked home to Northamptonshire, his heart heavy with sorrow and hope.

Fast forward to 1995, when Robert, facing a life crisis and his own fragile mental well-being, decided to retrace Clare's path along the Great North Road. Over a challenging four-day walk, he immersed himself in the changing landscape, contemplating the evolution of his family, the complexities of fatherhood and masculinity, and the profound essence of home.

A Length of Road blends memoir, travel writing, and literary criticism, offering a deeply profound and poetic exploration of class, gender, grief, and sexuality. Through his own experiences and the autobiographical writings of poet John Clare, Robert delves into the intricacies of human emotions and societal norms, shedding light on the complexities of human existence.

This captivating book invites readers to embark on a journey alongside Robert, as he traverses the same roads that John Clare once walked, connecting with the poet's profound insights and emotions. A Length of Road is a testament to the power of literature to transcend time and space, offering a timeless exploration of the human condition.

Weight: 346g
Dimension: 135 x 212 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781473697935