Slatehead 2020

Reviews / Votes

'Peter Goulding's witty, razor-sharp prose captures both the futility and the all-consuming nature of climbing: "No-one cares whether I get up these rock faces or not. It won'trepair a relationship or bring the dead back to life." And yet each route remains utterly compelling. Slatehead is an absorbing, wide-ranging account of a love affair with rock, how it becomes a mirror for the self, how - in the end - we love this sport because "climbing forces honesty".' Helen Mort

'Good and clear and honest. Like the climbers it presents, the story is careful and risk-taking, ambitious and humble.These are the things of great writing.' Cynan Jones

'Peter Goulding gives a personal account of falling in love with the north Wales slate quarries, immersing himself in the climbs and the history... As well as the climbing scene, Peter has done a great job of looking into the life and hazards of the quarrymen themselves, their past times and some of the histories of the conflicts between the communi- ties and the clueless aristocratic quarry owners who cared little for the health of employees... An intriguing read.' James (Caff) McHaffie

'Incredibly gripping and emotional... a cast of wonderful characters... thrilling and nerve-wracking... I longed for these heroes to achieve their aims... Feels like a group rock and roll biography.' Cathryn Summerhayes, Curtis Brown Literary Agency