Tales of Our Times

by Stephanie Bradley

414 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

I've been a writer all my life, but I only thought to become an author in 2013 after a 6 month pilgrimage around England changed my life. It was a dream that did it...and if you want to know more about that you can find it in the pages of Tales of Our Times: my first book, and because of it, that 2000 mile walk, I learnt that I am a storyteller...of the tales people I meet tell me. I tell and write as folktale, modern tales of the mythic qualities in us all.
My second publication was an anthology of my poetry "Searching for Love" - it's an e book waiting to become a real live paperback! It's illustrated by my paintings - poems and paintings are what happen when I am busy trying to write my books!
Currently I am writing a mythic trilogy: a blend of non fiction, Celtic myth and Utopian fiction woven together with a real life heroine's journey to herself.
Before becoming a pilgrim turned me into an author I was a teacher and still am, sometimes. If English isn't your first language and you want to practise I love meeting new people...and of course hearing their stories. Stories, that's me, that's why I exist, to hear & share your stories...

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Stephanie Bradley does in Tales of Our Times is truly remarkable. She sheds a vivid light on the ideas and people who are working to solve the climate crisis through local community resilience and action.
Tales of Our Time is written as a kind of real world adventure and living fairytale. Stephanie documents the Transition Towns initiatives by including her own story of walking in her flip flops over hill and dale to meet the people who are doing this work. People who are living lives filled with integrity and a desire to live their philosophies, rather than just talk about it. These are individuals who understand intimately the loss of our relationship to the land, our communities and to ourselves. The towns and communities Stephanie visits are focused on reconnecting to the land around them and working with less resources and sharing more …whether that is sharing skills (for example: the old teaching the young how to sew), sharing a community garden patch or holding a local film festival, people pull from each other’s knowledge, skill base and resources to figure out how best to address global issues locally and live wonderful lives while doing it.
And what is most fascinating about this book, is that it is written in a kind of mythic style that captures each person's character in intriguing and intimate ways, giving the reader a glimpse into the heart and minds of these people. Stephanie devises mythic names to describe individuals ”He of pragmatic good sense” is working to ban plastic bags in his community. Her writing is so immediate, quirky, and sensual you feel you are with her as she travels by foot over the countryside of England.
Stephanie has the gravitas of a seasoned writer to make Tales of Our Time a beautifully crafted book. It is written by a passionate woman who cares about her country and the world at large and is taking action to shed light on what we can and must do. There is so much joy, optimism and pure gusto in Stephanie’s attitude and nature that her book is pure joy to read.
Stephanie has such a dynamic relationship with the people she writes about -- she simply makes you fall in love with them and her. She is like a wandering gypsy storyteller from years gone by, come to life again to remind us that there are quests to go on and wonderful people to meet. Stephanie casts a powerful spell over the reader while learning about the lives of ordinary people.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the communities committed to solving the climate change and discovering a woman’s journey to tell those stories.

[Ben Brangwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Steph sets off on her journey around the UK hopping from one transition group to another, she weaves a story of hope and positive action that is sorely missing from most of the narratives around right now. Around the country there are people looking at climate change, resource disparity and fossil fuel addictions squarely in the eye and making changes where they feel most able - at their community level.

I found it a very inspirational read, and wonderfully well written. As an artifact, it's also gorgeous too.

I hope Steph writes more - she has a strong voice and an important tale to tell.

[Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a delight, a work of art, and a pleasure to hold and to browse.

Perry Walker, fellow, New Economics Foundation (NEF)

[Best Friend 🧡 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tales of Our Times feels less like a single story and more like a mirror held up to everyday life. What stood out to me most is how familiar many of the moments felt the quiet struggles, the small decisions, and the emotional undercurrents that often go unnoticed but shape who we are.The writing has a reflective quality that invites you to pause and think, rather than rush through the pages. Some parts lingered with me longer than I expected, especially because they touched on experiences that feel very current and human. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t shout its message but lets it unfold naturally through the stories.
I appreciated how grounded the book feels. There’s an honesty in the way situations and emotions are presented, which made it easy to connect as a reader. It’s thoughtful, relatable, and quietly impactful.
This is a book I’d recommend to readers who enjoy stories that reflect real life and encourage reflection long after you’ve closed the book.