Under the Open Skies

Markus Torgeby, a former urban dweller, swapped his hectic lifestyle for a small hut in the forests of northern Sweden twenty years ago. He and his family now live in a house he built near the site where he once survived on oatmeal, river water, and the forests pantry. Under the Open Skies is a story of his journey from broken youth to living alone in the forest to a self-healed family man. It is a practical guide to living in the wild and a meditation on the human need for a connection with the natural world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2020
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

For those who crave the outdoor adventure or seek a respite from the everyday confines of home and office, this book serves as an inspiring guide. In the spirit of Lars Myttings' Norwegian Wood or Erling Kagge's Silence, Under the Open Skies: A Practical Guide to Living Close to Nature blends escapism and adventure with a deep affection for nature and a longing for a simpler way of life.

Twenty years ago, Markus Torgeby exchanged his fast-paced urban existence for a humble hut nestled within the enchanting forests of northern Sweden. He spent four years in complete seclusion, harmonizing seamlessly with the surrounding nature. Presently, he and his wife, Frida, along with their three children, reside in a house he handcrafted with his own hands, situated near the very spot where he once relied solely on oatmeal, river water, and the bountiful provisions of the forest.

Under the Open Skies, adorned with breathtaking photographs captured by Frida, unfolds the captivating journey of Markus, from a troubled youth to a solitary existence in the forest, to a loving family man. Torgeby serves as a testament to the rejuvenating powers of the outdoors, and his descriptions of living in close proximity to nature intertwine everyday philosophy with inspiring insights, offering practical advice on various aspects such as fire-making, log-chopping techniques, and foraging for food.

Part practical guide to surviving in the wild, part a contemplation on the human yearning for a connection with the natural world, Under the Open Skies paints a captivating and timely portrait of how the pursuit of a simpler existence led one man to find contentment and a profound connection with the world around him. It serves as a valuable lesson for all, shedding light on the ways in which we can embrace a simpler lifestyle and cultivate a deeper bond with the environment.

Weight: 746g
Dimension: 178 x 236 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781471196539