The Place of Tides
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The Place of Tides
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Narrated by:
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Bryan Dick
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By:
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James Rebanks
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
We are all in need of lights to follow.
One afternoon many years ago, James Rebanks met an old woman on a remote Norwegian island. She lived and worked alone on a tiny rocky outcrop, caring for wild Eider ducks and gathering their down. Hers was a centuries-old trade that had once made men and women rich, but had long been in decline. Still, somehow, she seemed to be hanging on.
Back at home, Rebanks couldn’t stop thinking about the woman on the rocks. She was fierce and otherworldly – and yet strangely familiar. Years passed. Then, one day, he wrote her a letter, asking if he could return. Bring work clothes, she replied, and good boots, and come quickly: her health was failing. And so he travelled to the edge of the Arctic to witness her last season on the island.
This is the story of that season. It is the story of a unique and ancient landscape, and of the woman who brought it back to life. It traces the pattern of her work from the rough, isolated toil of bitter winter, building little wooden huts that will protect the ducks come spring; to the elation of the endless summer light, when the birds leave behind their precious down for the woman to gather, like feathered gold.
Slowly, Rebanks begins to understand that this woman and her world are not at all what he had previously thought. As the weeks pass, what began as a journey of escape becomes an extraordinary lesson in self-knowledge and forgiveness.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Valerie Kennett
- 03-11-24
All the above & more.
I loved this book. In the beginning it reminded me of The Shepherds Life, in how teachers measured the worth of sheep farming …
“ The fact that we, our mothers & fathers were hard working intelligent people doing something worthy , even admirable seemed beyond (them) “
Does anybody intelligent still think that? I don’t think so. The same must go for Norway’s Duck Women.
It appears that having a purpose, in caring for others, the animals & the earth, is designed into us.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ann Van Eetvelt
- 19-10-24
Tradition and Nature
This book is a beautifully written ode to nature and rural life. With vivid descriptions and deep insights into the traditional and culture of caring for Eider ducks. The lessons James Rebanks learns from this remote community —about patience, respect for the land, and the value of preserving heritage—are deeply moving. This book inspires readers to reflect on their own connection to nature and the importance of safeguarding traditions in our modern world. It’s a powerful reminder that ancient ways still hold vital lessons for today and that it is important to keep the connection.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous user
- 20-10-24
Excellent
I love James Rebanks books.The Place of Tides is a wonderful book and looking forward to James’ next book.
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- Mrs. CB
- 10-11-24
Unexpectedly riveting!
Loved every page, gorgeous writing and genuine characters. The end was beautiful and revealing. I had no knowledge of the subject before I read this book…
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- John Howell
- 24-10-24
A fantastic book
A beautiful story about life on the edge of the World. James is a fantastic writer and if you enjoyed his previous books you’ll love this.
Great narration, even the Norwegian words were largely correct.
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- RKeogh
- 25-10-24
A wonderful book I didn’t want to end
I’ve loved each of James’ previous books and am adding this to that list. This is a wonderful book and I didn’t want it to end. Beautifully written and thought provoking
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