The Place of Tides, by James Rebanks - Tom
This book is about one woman’s fight to live the lifestyle of her ancestors. This involved living for a few months of each year on an otherwise-deserted island off the coast of Norway just below the Arctic Circle. These few months of spring and early summer were spent ensuring that conditions were right for Eider Ducks to nest, and later gathering the eider down left behind when the birds returned to sea.
The author joined her for one season on the island, leaving at home his wife and four children to run the family farm. He undertook this experience in order to learn why people chose to live like this. He worked alongside this woman for the months he was there and learned a lot about her life and family history. He also came to realise that his life was not perfect, and that he needed to change when he got home.
This book describes a way of life that few could cope with today. It gave me a lot to think about concerning my life, and I recommend this as an easy to read, yet thought provoking book.
Tom
