Jon McGregor, aged 26, became the Booker Prize’s youngest nominee when his first novel was longlisted. His second and fourth novels would also go on to be nominated. Everybody knows everything, or thinks they do, despite a very British reticence about asking anything personal outright. McGregor’s prose is rhythmic and measured, seeming simple on the surface yet with such precision and detail that you feel immersed in the life of this community and drawn towards its inhabitants. It’s the kind of writing that can easily sweep you along. I forced myself to slow down, reading just one chapter a night so I could savour it more fully. The omniscient narrator could be anyone, everyone, or some mystical overseer like Dead Pappa Toothwort in Max Porter’s Lanny, which has several similarities with this (see my review HERE). Extra distance often comes from the passive voice:

Bird Reports | Essex Birdwatching Society - EBwS Bird Reports | Essex Birdwatching Society - EBwS

Aphasia takes Robert and Anna to terra incognita they never wanted to explore. Only a few skilled speech therapists can help with mapping the terrain. Robert reaches for words that are always just beyond him, “left outside, snowed under, needing to be dug out”. McGregor is too good a writer to push the analogy. He lets the different kinds of courage, knowledge and loss sit quietly side by side. McGregor succeeds in paying homage to the dispossessed and the hopeless, who live and die on the margins of society." ― Booklist You may change or cancel your subscription or trial at any time online. Simply log into Settings & Account and select "Cancel" on the right-hand side. But this is not a thriller; McGregor is not interested in the missing girl’s family, nor the investigating detectives, who remain peripheral figures without names. Instead, the focus is all on the small community disrupted by a tragedy that may or may not have a direct connection with them. The author’s concern is with the way people go on with their lives, not only in the immediate aftermath but over the course of the next 13 years. Jon McGregor has revolutionized that most hallowed of mystery plots: the one where some foul deed takes place in a tranquil English village that, by the close of the case, doesn't feel so tranquil anymore. . . . McGregor's writing style is ingenious." -- Maureen Corrigan, The Washington PostJon McGregor is a writer who will make a significant stamp on world literature. In fact, he already has." --Colum McCann Common Scoter (Upriver.), Great Crested Grebe, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Arctic Tern (Adult & three juvs.), 2 Arctic Skua (One close in chasing gulls.), 3 Gannet (Imm plus two juvs.) This dark peak hike has to be one of the classic Peak District walks, starting in the lovely Derbyshire village of Castleton, the route takes you up to two iconic Peak District Hills – Mam Tor and Lose Hill.

BEST Peak District Hikes | (in the Dark Peaks) 12 BEST Peak District Hikes | (in the Dark Peaks)

Their marriage was little understood. There was some speculation but most felt it was no concern of theirs.” And yet, “It was known they had separate bedrooms.” It takes rare authorial alchemy to make this immersive, believable, and captivating, rather than confusing or irritating. This goes straight to the favourites list (or to the Pool Room, a destination many Aussies will recognise from The Castle). At midnight when the year turned there were fireworks going up from the towns beyond the valley but they were too far off for the sound to carry to the few who’d come out to watch.

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Fancy giving this walk a go? Here’s the full route, map and everything you need to know! Walk route, map + GPX here

Reservoir 13: A Novel - Mcgregor, Jon: 9781936787708 - AbeBooks Reservoir 13: A Novel - Mcgregor, Jon: 9781936787708 - AbeBooks

More information on the Peak District, including transport options, where to stay, best Peak District pubs + other useful resources. Greenfinch (Garden birding - On & about the sunflower feeder ), 5 Siskin (Garden birding - Small party of Siskin flying overhead)John McGregor is one of the UK's most fascinating and versatile writers. The fact that most American readers have never heard of him does not speak well of us. Let's all buy his book NOW." ―Gary Shteyngart, author of Super Sad True Love Story At midnight when the year turned there were fireworks going up from the towns beyond the valley but no one in the village even lifted their heads to look. How the villagers cope, muddle though this event, and how it influences the years that follow is what this story is about. It is a lovely, rhythmic, soothing and spellbinding account of the impact it has on individuals over the thirteen plus years that follow, how it casts an essence of her presence, of her being present, brought about by her absence. An anticipation, but also an acceptance, she is part of them, now. She is a part of the village. How life manages to find a way, it just goes on, even when we think it can’t or it won’t. People fall in love, babies are born, crops are planted and crops are gathered, and yet somehow, she is ever-present.

Stand by Jon McGregor review – beyond words Lean Fall Stand by Jon McGregor review – beyond words

August water situation reports replaced with September reports. East Anglia and Solent and South Downs reports will follow.I’m pretty indifferent to the Booker as a prize (sorry!) but this does sound very good. Lovely detail there on the fireworks and it does sound rather blink and you’ll miss it as you say.