Wintering
The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times
Published on 12. November 2020
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-1-84604-599-8 (ISBN)
Description
THE NO. 1 BESTSELLING, LIFE-CHANGING PHENOMENON - SUNDAY TIMES and NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
'A beautiful, gentle exploration of the dark season of life and the light of spring that eventually follows' RAYNOR WINN
'My favourite book of the last five years' CAITLIN MORAN
Wintering is a poignant and comforting meditation on the fallow periods of life, times when we must retreat to care for and repair ourselves. Katherine May thoughtfully shows us how to come through these times with the wisdom of knowing that, like the seasons, our winters and summers are the ebb and flow of life.
A moving personal narrative interwoven with lessons from literature, mythology and the natural world, May's story offers instruction on the transformative power of rest and retreat. Illumination emerges from many sources: solstice celebrations and dormice hibernation, C.S. Lewis and Sylvia Plath, swimming in icy waters and sailing arctic seas.
Ultimately, Wintering invites us to change how we relate to our own fallow times. May models an active acceptance of sadness and finds nourishment in deep retreat, joy in the hushed beauty of winter, and encouragement in understanding life as cyclical, not linear. A secular mystic, May forms a guiding philosophy for transforming the hardships that arise before the ushering in of a new season.
'Every bit as beautiful and healing as the season itself' ELIZABETH GILBERT
'Absolutely beautiful' CHERYL STRAYED
Number 1 Sunday Times bestseller, November 2024
'A beautiful, gentle exploration of the dark season of life and the light of spring that eventually follows' RAYNOR WINN
'My favourite book of the last five years' CAITLIN MORAN
Wintering is a poignant and comforting meditation on the fallow periods of life, times when we must retreat to care for and repair ourselves. Katherine May thoughtfully shows us how to come through these times with the wisdom of knowing that, like the seasons, our winters and summers are the ebb and flow of life.
A moving personal narrative interwoven with lessons from literature, mythology and the natural world, May's story offers instruction on the transformative power of rest and retreat. Illumination emerges from many sources: solstice celebrations and dormice hibernation, C.S. Lewis and Sylvia Plath, swimming in icy waters and sailing arctic seas.
Ultimately, Wintering invites us to change how we relate to our own fallow times. May models an active acceptance of sadness and finds nourishment in deep retreat, joy in the hushed beauty of winter, and encouragement in understanding life as cyclical, not linear. A secular mystic, May forms a guiding philosophy for transforming the hardships that arise before the ushering in of a new season.
'Every bit as beautiful and healing as the season itself' ELIZABETH GILBERT
'Absolutely beautiful' CHERYL STRAYED
Number 1 Sunday Times bestseller, November 2024
Reviews / Votes
A beautiful, gentle exploration of the dark season of life and the light of spring that eventually follows -- Raynor Winn, bestselling author of The Salt Path A book for the soul -- Caitlin Moran We all experience periods of 'wintering' in our lives and this book shows us how to embrace the uncertainty that can come with it. A beautiful book that can be enjoyed in both winter and summer -- Lara Maiklem, author of Mudlarking An elegant investigation into the consolations of nature and how it can be wonderfully restorative even on the bleakest of days * Sunday Express * [A] sympathetic memoir ... May recounts how she attempted to embrace rather than resist the gloom and chill of winter ... she radiates sincerity and quiet self-knowledge * TLS * In this elegant memoir Katherine May finds beauty and transformation in a difficult period of her life ... an evocative ode to retreat that will appeal to fans of Deborah Levy's The Cost of Living * Publishers Weekly * Wintering is the book equivalent of a perfectly timed hug you didn't know you needed, a warm blanket on a cold day ... it's exactly what the world needs right now -- Nora McInerny, host of Terrible, Thanks for Asking A beautifully written mix of memoir and philosophy ... May offers much needed solace and comfort and a reminder that seasons eventually turn * Booklist * May writes beautifully... A contemplative, hopeful, consoling book * NPR * Absolutely beautiful -- Cheryl Strayed, author of WildMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Ebury Publishing
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
202 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84604-599-8 (9781846045998)
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
Person
Katherine May is a writer, podcaster and speaker whose work touches on nature, spirituality, slow living and neurodivergence. She is the author of the internationally bestselling books Wintering and Enchantment, and writes the popular newsletter, The Clearing. Katherine lives by the sea in Whitstable, UK, with her husband, son and various pets. She loves walking, sea-swimming and cooking enormous feasts.