On Sheep
Diary of a Swedish Shepherd
Published on 20. September 2018
Book
Hardback
160 pages
978-1-78747-269-3 (ISBN)
Description
'Axel Linden is a shepherd-philosopher with James Herriot's knack for mishap and an almost Chekhovian deadpan humour.' Observer
'Endearing and liberating.' Idler Magazine
'A sublime little book.' Cotswold Life
_______
Why do we keep sheep? Alex Linden ruminates as he watches his sheep ruminating. Naive and inexperienced, he has ditched his doctoral studies in order to move to a fully working farm in the country with his family, where he is tasked with the responsibility of caring for a herd of sheep.
Linden records his new life in his diary, as he tries to manage life on the farm, the ever-escaping sheep and the trials and tribulations that come with being a shepherd - shearing, lambing and confronting the slaughterhouse.
As time passes and he gradually settles into the rhythm of shepherding, his naivete fades away and is replaced with stark realisations about what is now his everyday life. He finds himself applying his experiences of animal husbandry to consider our place - as individuals and as a collective organism - in the universe. Is he really the one caring for the sheep, or are they the ones keeping him? Linden finds both companionship in his flock and a sound, if complex, moral framework for examining the lives we lead.
The result is a sensitive and entertaining meditation on the small wonders in our world.
'Endearing and liberating.' Idler Magazine
'A sublime little book.' Cotswold Life
_______
Why do we keep sheep? Alex Linden ruminates as he watches his sheep ruminating. Naive and inexperienced, he has ditched his doctoral studies in order to move to a fully working farm in the country with his family, where he is tasked with the responsibility of caring for a herd of sheep.
Linden records his new life in his diary, as he tries to manage life on the farm, the ever-escaping sheep and the trials and tribulations that come with being a shepherd - shearing, lambing and confronting the slaughterhouse.
As time passes and he gradually settles into the rhythm of shepherding, his naivete fades away and is replaced with stark realisations about what is now his everyday life. He finds himself applying his experiences of animal husbandry to consider our place - as individuals and as a collective organism - in the universe. Is he really the one caring for the sheep, or are they the ones keeping him? Linden finds both companionship in his flock and a sound, if complex, moral framework for examining the lives we lead.
The result is a sensitive and entertaining meditation on the small wonders in our world.
Reviews / Votes
Axel Linden is a shepherd-philosopher with James Herriot's knack for mishap and an almost Chekhovian deadpan humour. * Observer * A lovely read; humorous and thoughtful. * Culturefly * Endearing and liberating. * Idler Magazine * A charming tale, written in diary form, which focuses on the simple pleasures of nature - and life. * The Sun * A sublime little book. * Cotswold Life *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 175 mm
Width: 117 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
224 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78747-269-3 (9781787472693)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
09/2018
1st Edition
Quercus
€3.99
Available for download