Out of the Valley

by Ronald Blythe

This publication continues Ronald Blythe's celebrated "Word from Wormingford", though with a difference. For here, a village record moves further into the personal life of a writer who is not only a "working" part of the small community to which he has belonged for so many years, but who in many respects is isolated from it. Intimacy and distance are revealed as having their contrasting places in this both imaginative interpretation of the English countryside at the close of the 20th century.

Genres: British Literature, Nature

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 27, 2000

About the author

Ronald Blythe CBE was one of the UK's greatest living writers. His work, which won countless awards, includes Akenfield (a Penguin 20th-Century Classic and a feature film), Private Words, Field Work, Outsiders: A Book of Garden Friends and numerous other titles. He was a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was awarded their prestigious Benson Medal in 2006. In 2017, he was appointed CBE for services to literature

Reviews

[Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ronald Blythe's writing are comfort food for the soul. He blends the church's liturgical calendar with observations of parish life - the families, farms and natural surroundings - literature and contemporary events into succinct essays that carry the reader through the year.

[Karen Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second collection of Ronald Blythe collection of essays written weekly for the Church of England Church Times. Wise, observant, tolerant, and insightful. These essays are full of musings and memories and feel like conversations with a friend who is a great raconteur. He is also a great writer.

[Camille de Fleurville · Rating 4 out of 5]

A re-read. And a slowly one as I try to read thee entries according the passing months. It should last me until December and therefore stays on my bedside table.

[Fazackerly Toast · Rating 3 out of 5]

lovely. on to volume 3.

[GeraniumCat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written, lovely observation on nature and countryside. Blythe is an author to keep on the bedside table.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wonderful.