Once Upon a Raven's Nest: a life on Exmoor in an epoch of change

"Once Upon a Raven's Nest" is a powerful and poignant book that tells the story of a working-class man named Thomas Hedley and the planet during the period of its acceleration towards the current climate emergency. The book is written in a rich, poetic language by Catrina Davies, who has given his life and times in his own words. It is interwoven with a sequence of factual entries that chart the impending climate catastrophe and the consequences of our collective choices to ignore the warning of an environment on the verge of collapse. The book is a unforgettable history of a life that is almost lost and an account of the destruction man has wrought on the earth in the time that Hedley worked the land.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 13 April 2023
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Once Upon a Raven's Nest is a captivating and deeply moving book written by George Monbiot. The story revolves around the life of a working-class man named Thomas Hedley, hailing from Exmoor, and the planet's journey towards the current climate emergency. Born in 1955 to a poor family in Devon, Thomas refused to conform to societal norms and embraced his fierce independence, recklessness, and contrariness. This led him to encounter numerous scrapes and self-inflicted dangers, but also enriched his life with the love of women.

One such woman was Catrina Davies, who came to know Thomas in his later years and has documented his life and times in his own words. Through her poetic and poignant voice, she has created a rich and vivid language that captures the essence of Thomas's experiences. The book delves into various aspects of Thomas's life, including his accumulation of engines, tools, and guns, his intricate connection to nature, the animals he cherished, and his deep-seated desire to hunt them.

However, it is Thomas's fatal attraction to risk and machinery that ultimately led to his downfall. His reckless behavior resulted in a paralyzing accident that confined him to a wheelchair for the last years of his life. Despite his physical limitations, Thomas remained fiercely independent and continued to observe, notice, record, and love the world around him. The narrative is interwoven with a series of factual entries that chart the impending climate catastrophe and the consequences of our collective choices to ignore the warning signs of an environment on the verge of collapse.

Once Upon a Raven's Nest is an unforgettable history of a life that almost slipped away, as well as an account of the destruction man has wrought on the earth during the time Thomas worked the land. The book is a stunning portrayal of human resilience, determination, and the profound impact of our actions on the natural world. It serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for collective action to address the climate crisis and protect our planet for future generations.

This book has received widespread acclaim from renowned authors and critics alike. Charles Foster, for instance, describes it as a "classic" that has the unmistakable smell of a timeless masterpiece. Tanya Shadrick praises it as "stunning, urgent, and unforgettable," highlighting its ability to evoke emotions and provoke thought.

In conclusion, Once Upon a Raven's Nest is a must-read for anyone who seeks to understand the complexities of human nature, the fragility of our planet, and the urgent need for collective action to address the climate crisis. George Monbiot's powerful storytelling and Catrina Davies's insightful documentation make this book a truly unforgettable and thought-provoking experience.

Weight: 502g
Dimension: 148 x 224 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529424997