I really enjoyed this book. The author has such reverence for nature and the mill property, it was a really beautiful read. It felt like I was there and makes me want to buy my own old property to be caretaker of.

This is a genuinely beautiful book, it makes the reader feel as though they have been there and lived the life of the author. Having an interest in industrial buildings and wildlife this book is a perfect mix. Having read the author's previous book 'An Otter's Tale' I was keen to read this new offering from Simon Cooper and was not disappointed. In this book we follow the course of a year and the changing rhythms of nature in this Hampshire countryside spot, we encounter many animals throughout but it is a reacquaintance with the otters that really appealed to me.

This book makes you think about the fragility of nature, about our part to play in looking after it and ultimtely just how glorious our countryside is.

A recommended read.

3.5

I did enjoy this, but it was not quite what I expected. I was looking forward to a narrative about living in this mill, and the wildlife surrounding it. In fact, it is a series of short essays that I believe we're written for a fishing magazine. The author bought the mill to run a fishing business. This will no doubt really appeal to some readers, and whilst there were plenty of articles about the wildlife he shares his space with, (which I loved), there was also quite a lot about fishing, (which I had no interest in).

I think lots of people will enjoy this, and it is probably a good book to just dip into occasionally. I might pick it up for my nephew, who will get more from it than I did.

*Many thanks to Netgally and the publishers for a copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*

Interesting British focus on the countryside. It is a series of short essays almost musings on things that happen around him living in the mill. Some interesting bits. The writing style was ok however I find Roger Deakin works more engaging and a hard act to follow. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

I wish 3.5 stars was an option on here!!

The author describes this book as being a distillation of his writings during years at The Mill. His love for the Mill, its history and its natural surroundings leap off the page and yet I was reminded why I don’t watch nature documentaries - it’s a rough world out there. Some parts get a touch repetitive, but being an accumulation of writings this makes sense.

Let’s say I came for the Nature, stayed for the Mill Upkeep. I did learn some interesting tidbits (Slugs are essentially blind and deaf, locating mates via scent). (Wasps consume 14mil invertebrates annually, with a dash of cannibalism) and (cocaine in our river system is reducing the eel population?? Don’t do drugs, kiddos!). SO many birds die in this tale, and that made this a difficult read.

Despite this, there’s a certain optimism here. The author picks up roadside trash, saves a little hedgehog from drowning. This line says it all: ‘But regardless of the winter rains spring is always spring, the season of new beauty, life and endless possibilities.’ I think we can use some more of this attitude.