Mountain Song

A Journey to Finding Quiet in the Swiss Alps

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Pub Date Dec 17 2020 | Archive Date Jun 24 2022

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Description

In the vein of Nan Shepherd's The Living Mountain and Mary Oliver's gentle writing on nature, Mountain Song is a love letter to adventure, slowing down, and quietly noticing the beauty of wild places and our place within them.

"Here in the silence and surrounded by mountains, I’m starting to find my answers, at least for now. I want to be moulded by the world: by the people I’ve loved and the places I’ve sat and listened quietly, watching leaves falling, the sun rising and stars appearing..."

After graduating university with no idea what she really wanted to do with her life, Lucy Fuggle made the unexpected decision to leave behind her home in the UK for the company of glacier-covered mountains, alpine flora and fauna, and soaring eagles in Switzerland's Berner Oberland.

For three years, she made picture-perfect Meiringen her home. Growing up painfully shy and with high-functioning autism, Lucy found new mental and physical courage in the natural world around her traditional Swiss chalet, living alone with a view of towering peaks and waterfalls.

In summer, she explored every trail around her house, including the Via Alpina trail 400 km across Switzerland. The coldest time of the year saw her switch hiking for freezing lake swims, snowshoe hikes, and glacier treks. As her relationships, career, and inner life changed – for better and for worse – she ventured further into the wild around her for comfort, answers, and acceptance. In the silence and loneliness, she found the space to step into who she really was, no matter what others thought of that.

This is her quietly inspiring and soothing story of the ups and downs of living simply, quietly and in tune with nature and the transformation it can bring, accompanied by beautiful photographs and pen and ink sketches.

Surrounded by some of the most striking scenery in Europe, Lucy finds a slower pace of living and exchanges insecurity for courage, changing the course of her life beyond recognition.

In the vein of Nan Shepherd's The Living Mountain and Mary Oliver's gentle writing on nature, Mountain Song is a love letter to adventure, slowing down, and quietly noticing the beauty of wild places...


Available Editions

ISBN 9781838119812
PRICE $7.99 (USD)

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Featured Reviews

Mountain Song is one young womens' travel memoir and journey of self discovery in the peaceful beauty of the Swiss Alps. It is a beautifully balanced and easy to read account that will leave you wishing for your own Swiss adventure. I loved the chalet and could almost smell the wood, the cinnamon pastries, and the freshness of the air.. There are beautiful photographs and drawings throughout. I hope the author will write more books about her many other adventures as this one was such a pleasure to read.

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I loved this one even though at first the structure confused me. It was a bit like an odd diary at first but as I read on, it was like she took you on a discovery of herself, surprising herself at what she found and instantly sharing it with you. The setting of Switzerland is magical and as I have been to Meiringen before, it was just glorious to find it in this book.

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I love the open simplicity of Lucy Fuggle’s thoughts in Mountain Song. The chapters invite you to journey with her as she finds peace and quiet in the Alps. Finding a small place in the heart of Interlaken, Lucy shares her experiences in Meiringen. Her chapters capture day to day experiences and her thoughts within, or because of, those experiences. I enjoyed her authenticity and vulnerability as she learns to settle into a new culture without knowing the people or the language. Initially, she was searching for a place to be alone, separate from the chaos and expectations that others place upon us. Gradually though, she comes to find herself and finds joy in that person. She shares insights into fully experiencing life through her experiences and learning to be kind to herself, focusing on the things she can do, rather than focus on her limitations. I really liked the occasional photo that is shared to bring contextualization to her descriptions.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own and freely given.

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I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley for review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Twenty something Lucy Fuggle found solitude and joy in the Swiss mountains, far from the rat race of busyness and crowds. She walks miles, journals her thoughts and reads. In three years, she comes to understand herself better, though little actual change takes place. in my opinion, she likes it that way. Acceptance. Experience the mountains through her observations, the sensory information only a mountain top experience can give. Though not religious, she sees some value in spirituality. Take what you may, leave the rest. Dip into this book as you would a clear stream. Grab a tea and a blanket and cozy up to a fine example of travel/memoir.

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Who doesn’t yearn once in a while to leave their current life circumstances at times, beginning again in another place where—away from it all—you are met with restful and reflective moments in the midst of beautiful scenic views? I know I often do!

Mountain Song is just such a journey and one that let me escape to Switzerland’s beauty alongside the author for awhile.

Though of course not present there physically, I felt as if I had joined author Lucy Fuggle as she made her home in the Swiss Alps. The masterful way in which she descriptively pens the sights, sounds and moods of life there from her perspective nearly engage the senses as if you could experience every sight, every smell, every nuance presented before you.

At times, Mountain Song is a book of almost poetic, flowing prose. Reading like a melody of words, it is just the type of writing I enjoy reading most. At other times, the author’s self-reflection and honesty spurred me to get out a pen and paper and do the same. It was encouraging to read her reflections and challenges, much of which I related to more than I ever expected I would.

Mountain Song is a delightful read that will have you resting, reflecting and adventuring along with the author. I’m glad to have discovered Lucy Fuggle’s writing and this book.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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You have no idea how this review book gave me so much comfort today. This month has been so tiring for me. I am physically and mentally exhausted trying to handle so many things. I couldn't even read for fun or review even a short book properly for a while now.

I just got the ARC today.

First, the cover caught my eyes and the title gave me so much hope. I just opened the book and started reading it. I realised just reading the first 23 pages gave me so much comfort that I knew I was reading the whole book in one sitting. It's just like a friend is talking to you and you are just listening learning so much good from it.

I love the real pictures. I wasn't expecting a memoir. But it's so worth it.

The writing is beautiful. The presentation is perfect. Perfect for a good, short weekend read.

I just love this book.

Thank you, BooksGoSocial, for the review copy.

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This was such a wonderful book. It is about the authors life in Switzerland. It covers her 3 years spent there plus a few trips to Greenland and Japan. It's a mixture of autobiography, stunning pictures, a few artist images or photos of plant and animals there. Also some great quotes and short poems. I just loved the authors writing style she brought through great emotions in her writing and you could see how much passion for the area she had. It was a dream come true for her. I just can't believe she managed so walk the whole length of the country that's just amazing. I loved the pictures showing her journey they really relaxed me as I loved the stunning scenery. This book was a very relaxing book it had great pace and flowed brilliantly. The layout of the book was fantastic with a great mix of pictures to text. I actually loved it that much i wish there was a 6th star as I did the unthinkable. Instead of rushing to finish the book, I slowed my reading right down to savour each moment. I didn't want it to end. I felt like I was on an incredible journey. I really can't recommend this book enough uf you love reading autobiographies that are around people who travel. I Judy love how you can travel from the comfort of your own chair. 

Only the highest of praise goes out to this independent author and publishing team for taking me on this wonderful journey you certainly lived an amazing 3 years and I'm somewhat jealous. I do hope she writes more books. Maybe try alaska lol wink.

The above review has already been placed on goodreads, waterstones ,Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo, amazon UK where found and my blog https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/mountain-song-by-lucy-fuggle-independently-published-5-stars either under my name or ladyreading365

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