Synopsis:

In the woods above Polly Atkin’s home in Grasmere, Cumbria live the tawny owls she calls her neighbours. Each night, they come down to her cottage at dusk, calling out as night falls – in particular a trio of owlets she watches grow from fledglings to young adults.

As the antics of the owl siblings develop – their capacity to play, to bicker, to share and to protect – they encourage her to think differently about some of the big needs of all our lives: solitude and companionship, care and belonging, rest and retreat. And into the frame step questions about all sorts of relationships, from how we feel when in darkness to the homes and connection we so desperately seek.

The Company Of Owls is a love song to these incredible creatures, and a reflection on what makes them, and us, unique and distinctive. It’s a call to find joy in unexpected places and times. It is a lesson in learning to listen – to really listen – when all around us seems clamour and noise.

Review:

What an utterly lovely book.
This is not necessarily a book about owls, though they do have a starring role. What this book is, is a wander through nature. It is thoughts on how and where we as humans fit into the ‘wild’. It is reflection on the author’s life and how she approaches it.

Polly does not claim to be an expert on owls, or on anything, for that matter – don’t expect lots of scientific information here. What she is though, is an observer, like many of us are. I enjoyed so much reading about her excitement when she would spot an owl, her musings on whether the owl was observing her back and her fascination over how mysterious these beautiful creatures’ lives are. It was also fun to follow the antics of a trio of tawny owl babies – be sure to find the photos on the author’s Instagram (they’re so cute!)

I appreciated the discussion on human infringement on the natural world. Even though we are technically part of nature, we have managed to separate ourselves from it so much that our presence in the wilds is now a disturbance. We should all have care when observing, no matter how curious we are.

Polly’s writing is wonderful, almost lyrical. Her descriptions of place are so vivid, and even if I was not familiar with the Lake District, I don’t think I would have struggled to imagine the sights and atmosphere of the land.

Overall this is a wonderful read. A beautiful and personal account of nature, self and of course, owls.

Thank you as always to the wonderful @elliottandthompson for sending me a copy.