Today's Read Team 
Recent Notable Releases in Non-Fiction Literature
This week, the literary world witnessed the launch of several compelling non-fiction titles from esteemed authors Robert Macfarlane, Rob Cowen, and Lamorna Ash, each exploring unique themes that resonate with contemporary readers.
Robert Macfarlane’s Exploration of Rivers
In Is a River Alive? (Hamish Hamilton), Robert Macfarlane presents a profound examination of rivers, connecting the natural world with human experiences. Blake Morrison, in a review for the Guardian, highlights the book’s timeliness and poetic prose, emphasizing Macfarlane’s passionate plea to recognize rivers as living entities. Morrison notes, “The battle is to save rivers as living beings. Macfarlane’s impassioned book shows the way, ending on a riskily lyrical high with his arrival as a waterbody complete: ‘I am rivered.’”
Philippe Sands, writing for the Financial Times, appreciates the book’s clarity and urgency, stating that Macfarlane addresses the failings of current legal protections for rivers. He mentions, “Macfarlane confronts the gross failure of our existing laws to protect rivers from harm” and calls for a new direction in environmental protection.
Reflecting on its impact, Caroline Sanderson from The Bookseller describes Is a River Alive? as a “captivating” offering from the renowned nature writer.
Rob Cowen’s Psycho-Geographical Journey
Rob Cowen’s latest work, The North Road (Hutchinson Heinemann), employs a psycho-geographical lens to analyze the A1 road as more than just a route but a metaphor encapsulating themes of time and identity in Britain. Andrew Martin from the Observer praises Cowen’s narrative as “beautifully written,” evoking the imagery of a road movie. Kathleen Jamie, contributing to the New Statesman, commends Cowen for restoring a sense of enchantment and suggests that the essence of British identity may lie not in traditional landscapes but along the dynamic stretch of dual carriageways.
Lamorna Ash’s Exploration of Faith
In her book Don’t Forget We’re Here Forever: A New Generation’s Search for Religion (Bloomsbury Circus), Lamorna Ash investigates contemporary expressions of faith among the youth. The Sunday Times’ Laura Hackett remarks on the emotional depth of Ash’s conclusions, calling the work both a sociological study and a religious memoir. She observes, “It is not only a fascinating sociological study and religious memoir but a profound look at the power of ritual and communion with others.” Catherine Pepinster in the Telegraph likens Ash’s narrative to a modern-day pilgrimage, emphasizing its exploration of themes such as community and personal introspection.
Seán Hewitt’s Fictional Debut
Additionally, poet Seán Hewitt made his fiction debut with Open, Heaven (Jonathan Cape), a novel described as “sensuous and decadent” by Miriam Balanescu in the Financial Times. The story’s protagonist, a nostalgic librarian named James, revisits a pivotal summer of his adolescence. Balanescu praises Hewitt’s ability to convey the intricate emotions that accompany the confusion of friendship and romantic love. Sarah Perry from the Guardian finds Hewitt’s work to be “tender, skilled and epiphanic,” suggesting that his writing captures the sacredness of sexual desire with striking beauty.
Conclusion
These new titles not only reflect the authors’ unique perspectives on nature, identity, faith, and emotional experience, but they also contribute substantially to contemporary discussions in literature, making them essential reads for those interested in these pivotal themes.