“A wide-raging and fascinating book taking in people, political and newsworthy events, and the changing industry, landscape and use of the coastal region.” – Caught by the River

“Expansive, accessible and democratic writing about place.” – Lost blog

My new book, published on 30 October by Penned in the Margins, is a book of landscape writing, photographs and politics. Here’s the video trailer. In 2016 and 2017 I walked around the entire coast of Essex, all 350 miles of it. The low, marshy land is stunning – so remote, yet so close to London. But as Brexit and Donald Trump arrived on the scene, the hallucinatory setting began to match the bizarre political weather. As I walked, I realised that much of what is playing out on the international stage is mirrored in the extremes and divisions of this much maligned county, so I went looking for answers. Pre-order here.

Further reviews from Ken Worpole, who has written about Low Country on his excellent blog, and the Psychogeographical Review.

Album review: Karine Polwart – Laws of Motion

“Epic, assured and spine-tingling”: my review for The Quietus of the new album from Karine Polwart.

Theatre blog: Macbeth

Far from perfect, but a production full of ideas and powerful performers: the RSC’s Macbeth at the Barbican, with Christopher Eccleston and Niamh Cusack.

Edinburgh Fringe 2018

 

Nineteen shows reviewed: the vast majority original, clever, compelling, strange. Only one involved weasel eating. A great Fringe!