Twelve writers consider the subject of rivers and how they shape us throughout our lives, demarcating cities as well as moulding our creative consciousness. Tessa Hadley revisits Rumer Godden’s The River; Jo Hamya pays homage to Virginia Woolf; Michael Malay goes nightfishing for eels by the river Severn; and Marchelle Farrell revisits the tropical waterfalls of her childhood home in Trinidad.
Tender and astute, By the River explores the cultural, social and psychological significance of the rivers that run through our societies and our minds, bringing together these twelve contemporary writers in a celebration of water and its transformative qualities.
Contributors
Niellah Arboine | Amy-Jane Beer | Roger Deakin
Marchelle Farrell | Tessa Hadley | Jo Hamya
Amy Key | Rebecca May Johnson | Michael Malay
Jamal Mahjoub | Caleb Azumah Nelson | Ellena Savage
‘As rivers across Britain become more polluted and unsafe for swimming, this gentle collection is a reminder of why they’re so worth protecting.’ The Idler
‘In this beautifully curated and varied collection twelve writers reflect on the transformative effect of water, how it shapes our lives and inspires us . . . We all need more of that.’ The Lady
‘The small-but-beautiful By The River is another essay collection celebrating rivers and their impact on our collective spirit and how they shape cities.’ Stylist
