Pastoral Song

De: James Rebanks

Narrado por: Peter Noble

The acclaimed chronicle of the regeneration of one family's traditional English farm

National Best Seller

Winner of the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing * Named "Nature Book of the Year" by the Sunday Times * New York Times Editors' Choice * Shortlisted for the Orwell Prize and the Royal Society of Literature's Ondaatje Prize * A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Sunday Times, Financial Times, New Statesman, Independent, Telegraph, Observer, and Daily Mail

"Superbly written and deeply insightful, the book captivates the reader until the journey’s end.” (Wall Street Journal)

The New York Times best-selling author of The Shepherd’s Life profiles his family’s farm across three generations, revealing through this intimate lens the profound global transformation of agriculture and of the human relationship to the land.

As a boy, James Rebanks's grandfather taught him to work the land the old way. Their family farm in England's Lake District hills was part of an ancient agricultural landscape: a patchwork of crops and meadows, of pastures grazed with livestock, and hedgerows teeming with wildlife. And yet, by the time James inherited the farm, it was barely recognizable. The men and women had vanished from the fields; the old stone barns had crumbled; the skies had emptied of birds and their wind-blown song.

Hailed as "a brilliant, beautiful book" by the Sunday Times (London), Pastoral Song (published in the United Kingdom under the title English Pastoral) is the story of an inheritance: one that affects us all. It tells of how rural landscapes around the world were brought close to collapse, and the age-old rhythms of work, weather, community and wild things were lost. And yet this elegy from the northern fells is also a song of hope: of how, guided by the past, one farmer began to salvage a tiny corner of England that was now his, doing his best to restore the life that had vanished and to leave a legacy for the future.

This is a book about what it means to have love and pride in a place, and how, against all the odds, it may still be possible to build a new pastoral: not a utopia, but somewhere decent for us all.

[Published in the United Kingdom as English Pastoral.]

©2021 James Rebanks (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Lovely

Reminded me so much in so many ways of my own farming experience in the states. The author brought generations of differing farm theory full circle without placing full blame on any one theory. We have been politely challenged to take responsibility.

Did he want me to weep after reading?

An amazing full picture of a farmer’s life and legacy that left me weeping during the final chapter.

America PLEASE listen

This book was the best combination of a story with history and life lessons I've had the pleasure of listening to out of my 900 plus books in my library. Mr Rebanks is truly gifted. My hope is that Americans and all the rest of the world understand big business farming is our doom and things need to change. the FDA is fine putting sawdust and plastic in what we consume and absolutely zero compassion for the animals they feed us. Not to mention the earth they are destroying by the minute. If your great great grandparent didn't eat it we shouldn't either. Thank you to all the small farmers holding on to their values!

Deep and true.

This is the second book I have listened to by the author. I hoped, as painfully described his farms’ descent into the madness of modern agriculture, that he would pull it story up and into regenerative agriculture. He did. There is so much hope. Look up carbon cowboys and see the good message they likewise spread.

The interconnectedness of nature

It was inspiring, thought provoking and beautifully written. It is also a warning to protect the land and the people that feed us.

A must read

I believe appreciation is what brings us joy. This book is a must read if you believe the same. It’s simply makes you appreciate where your food comes from and the choices and hardships of a farmer’s life. But also the beauty. It’s about one farmer who found the answer.

Lovely!

Mr Rebanks has beautiful captured the trials of modern day farming: both the horror and destruction wrought by factory farming, and the struggles and ethics faced by family farmers (like generations of my family). My folks are still farming largely in "the old way" and I pray the coming generations will be able to do so as well. Honor the Earth! I agree with some of those who criticized the narration, but found that when I speeded it up to 1.25, it was very nice.

Wonderful story & well told

As a fifth generation Illinois farmer, I really appreciate and understand his love of the land & nature. What he & his family have created is great to see and hear about.
Did not appreciate “Sterile ruined landscapes like those of the American Midwest…” not all Midwestern farms are factory farms, so with kindness, get over yourself.

Great read!

I think I have read all of James Rebank’s books and he never disappoints. Couldn’t agree more with his take on environmentalism vs. need for production. He is realistic and practical but also pragmatic and determined. Can’t wait for his next book!

Must Read for literally everyone

You can watch Clarkson's Farm and think you know everything you need to know about farming but this story is far more honest and more important to understand. I absolutely loved this gritty indepth dip into life in a small farming community that has kept with tradition while modernising with thought to tradition and nature. This isn't about rewinding but it's about living within nature while feeding people and making a living. This is an important book in the conversation about climate, food safety and sustainable farming.