The Opening Country

This is a charmingly understated book describing the journey on foot by John Micklewright as he crosses France from The Channel to Italy. Following to some extent a route made by his father some years before, the author takes us on his travels. The beauty of the book is the balance between personal anecdotes interwoven with historical and geographical facts - not in a lecturing manner but gently interspersed within the descriptions of sights and sounds. By the end of the book, you feel as though as you’ve been on the journey and feel the desire to grab a rucksack and walking boots and get moving. In the time of COVID-19 this is a book that lifts the spirits and brings a glimmer of future travel inspiration

A wonderful read I really enjoyed following the author on his walk.He shares personal comments history and geography.His father at one point made this walk and he in a certain byway is following in his path.A view of French people of the country he walks through.Since I’m reading this during COVID It’s a lovely way to leave my home and travel to France,#netgalley#troubadorbooks

The Opening Country is a book which is exactly the type of non fiction, travelogue/memoir that I love to read. The premise is simple, the author has walked from the north coast of France, right down through the country, across the Alps and into Italy. I have nothing negative to say about the book. These are the things I most liked:

It is very well written. John Micklewright is an academic and has written throughout his career and I think it is obvious in the book that he is an experienced writer. There is a sentimental aspect - he reflects on childhood holidays in France and refers to his father's diaries and memories of his father's love of France. The journey is aspirational in several ways. The time taken to make the journey, the distance covered and the non obvious route taken. Observations of nature along the way are quite frequent. I particularly enjoyed the mention of the birds and butterflies seen along the route. Literary references appear throughout and are wide ranging. War and Peace seems unlikely to be mentioned in a book such as this and yet it sits in the narrative in a very natural, appropriate and amusing way! History is not a particular interest of mine, but I do admire the extent of research undertaken for the author to write knowledgably about war memorials, buildings passed and even lavoirs in rural villages. The bibliography for the book is extraordinary.

If you like to read about walking alone or with a friend, through countryside, alongside rivers and canals, through woodlands, farmyards, up hills and across mountains, then I highly recommend this book. It is perfect for anyone who enjoys reading Bill Bryson, Robert McFarlane, Patrick Barkham or similar. Prior to the book, there was a blog, which can still be found on the internet. The blog is worth a look too, to see the author's photographs.

Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lucky man! I'd love to just walk across a country and see where my feet take me. Lovely read. I do enjoy books like these. I can live vicariously as they are so well written, one feels like they are right there! Wonderful for all the shut in days we have been experiencing over the past year. Actually, walking across even a state would be pleasant, and probably safe to do! I'd love to walk across France, or Spain, or England....! adding to my bucket list!

There is something for everyone in this book and depending how much of it is 'for you' will depend how much you enjoy it!

I loved the travel aspects -who wouldn't want to walk across France, amazing. and the same with the language/linguistic elements as this is very much 'my bag'. I enjoyed how the author teases out where some of the names of places, objects, animals etc came from and why.
I also found the historical references, to war, economic development and more extremely insightful and interesting - not sure this would be to everybody's taste however.

For me lengthy and tedious referrals back and across to other writers and texts spoils a reading book - I'm delighted to see them in a reference text but this isn't what I pick up a 'bedtime' book to find. This was also the case for me with the seriously detailed descriptions of butterflies...several pages at times on one 'spotted' critter.

What I developed for this book was a new reading style - selective skipping - so I could whizz through the literature and lepidoptera lessons and concentrate on the aspects that made me smile and piqued my interest.
Hence why I think everyone could take something from the book and I would recommend giving it a go.