Reviews

Wild Geese: A Collection of Nan Shepherd's Writing by Nan Shepherd

keepreadingbooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.75

Wild Geese started out really strong and then ended up being a bit of a mixed bag. But a collection of different writings will, in most cases, end up being a mixed bag, so I’m not disappointed at all. The stronger parts for me were, especially, the initial short story Descent from the Cross as well as the Deeside Field writings (beautiful, beautiful writing). There was some good in the selected prose pieces at the end and a few of the poems spoke to me too, but surprisingly, I wasn’t too enamoured with her poetry in general. Her essays on three Scottish poets were a drag and felt like homework (disclaimer: I’m sure they are good and well-written pieces, I am just not interested in the whole poets-on-poets thing; it reminds me of university and, as I said, homework), and the rest of the book was fine. 

My overall impression is good, however, and I do want to read more of Shepherd’s work. I have read The Living Mountain, which was excellent, but it was fun reading something fictional from her hand in the shape of the short story. It made me keen to give one of her novels a go one day. For now, though, her nature writing remains strongest with me. 

shonaholmes's review

inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

The whole collection is a delight but the Deeside Ramblings and some of the poems have become fast favourites for me! Nan has a great feeling for the landscapes and a way with words.

wrengaia's review

4.0

beautiful - shepherd’s fiction is sharp and brilliant, and her poetry is delicate and illuminating. i skimmed the essayistic section a little - but i am ever in awe of nan shepherd’s ability to write so well.


*diss reading

stewart_monckton's review

hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

3.75

I'm going with 3.75 stars for this book because the bits I like are wonderful! 

The middle part of the book contains a number of poems (and analysis of poems) which I simply did not enjoy. And while I know this says more about me than it does about the poems -  I love poems that are spoken - but when I read them they feel dead and flat.

The remaining prose sections of the book are wonderful.

So, a book that I would recommend - but with parts that did not work for me.

SM

1siobhan's review

4.0

Interesting mixture of prose, poetry and writings about other poets. As always Nan Shepherd is highly intelligent, on point and poetic. Enjoyed this one though the mixture seemed to be a bit arbitrary...