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My Midsummer Morning
- Rediscovering a Life of Adventure
- Narrated by: Alastair Humphreys
- Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins
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My Midsummer Morning
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Summary
Financial Times Summer Book of 2019
Seasoned adventurer Alastair Humphreys pushes himself to his very limits - busking his way across Spain with a violin he can barely play.
In 1935 a young Englishman named Laurie Lee arrived in Spain. He had never been overseas; had hardly even left the quiet village he grew up in. His idea was to walk through the country, earning money for food by playing his violin in bars and plazas.
Nearly a century later, the book Laurie Lee wrote - As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning - inspired Alastair Humphreys. It made him fall in love with Spain - the landscapes and the spirit - and with Laurie's style of travel. He travelled slow, lived simply, slept on hilltops, relished spontaneity, and loved conversations with the different people he met along the hot and dusty road.
For 15 years, Alastair dreamed of retracing Laurie Lee’s footsteps but could never get past the hurdle of being distinctly unmusical. This year, he decided to go anyway. The journey was his most terrifying yet, risking failure and humiliation every day, and finding himself truly vulnerable to the rhythms of the road and of his own life. But along the way, he found humility, redemption and triumph. It was a very good adventure.
Critic reviews
"Humphreys is clearly slightly bonkers and this is a wonderful thing." (Geographical Magazine)
"Compelling reading...It’s honest and human." (The Great Outdoors)
What listeners say about My Midsummer Morning
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Fred
- 11-09-19
A gentle book with valuable life lessons
I’m a similar age to Alastair and share many of his insecurities and frustrations, but maybe not quite the same level of wanderlust.
I like his easy-going style and gentle humour.
To be honest I didn’t expect too much from the book and it surprised me not because his adventure across Spain was thrilling but because it shows the lessons you can learn from stretching yourself a little. Also, that adventure doesn’t have to be a death defying voyage.
This book has many life lessons and reaffirms many of the things I already know. Along with his micro adventure book it’s encouraging me to have more adventures (even if they are micro ones) of my own.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- D L.
- 15-07-19
A great walk
If you are planning a big walk, you should read this book. If you are planning a big sit down, you should read this book. If you can play a musical instrument, or if you can't, read this book. If you know Spain, or if you would like to, read this book. If you ever doubt yourself or the life you have chosen - or if you don't - read this book. If you're looking for something substantial, or want an easy read, read this book.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ant Richards
- 01-09-21
Beautiful. Endearing
This story left me with a yearning for adventure, making me feel like a 10-year old kid again.
Beautifully delivered by the author himself, l felt l was walking a few paces behind it as l listened to his mishaps, struggles and inner demons as he traversed down through Spain.
I cannot recommend it enough!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rhys David Ingram
- 29-11-20
Loved it!
A great adventure and well told. So much more approachable than many adventure stories and yet no less terrifying to think about doing myself! Thanks Al!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 09-06-19
Honest, Funny, Heartwarming
What a great book, brilliantly read by the author. Written with wit and honesty, it is more than just a travelog with tales of derring do. Instead, Alastair Humphreys delivers a revealing account of an adventurer coming to terms with a life of responsibilities and normality.
You get married, you have kids, and suddenly discover that it's not all about you any longer. A new and very different adventure beckons...
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- old tart
- 02-02-21
Walking with Alistair
I so enjoyed this book which brought back my memories of travelling in Spain. I have been building up a library of audible books to listen to while we travel in our motorhome. Alas, there have been no travels in 2020. 2019 had been spent travelling in Spain, Morocco, Corsica, Sardinia and finally in a rented campervan travelling the coast of Western Australia in November /December, our last journey. as we haven't been able to travel in 2020, lockdowns classed as vulnerable at 77 years old, I finally decided to start to listen to my collection. This was my first book. Thankyou Alastair, you've brought back many memories of our travels off the beaten trackm villages and places we've visited in our many travels in Spain. with your descriptions of people and the countryside. Your reminisces of previous travels, your thoughts on leaving your wife and children all added to the enjoyment of your story. Now I shall have to find more of your books and what do I listen to next? You're a hard act to follow.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Di
- 21-07-19
Wanderlust!
Loved it! If you've got wanderlust or a yearn for adventure this is a must read! Well written and very easy to identify with. Thoroughly recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- S K
- 05-05-20
Great inspiration.
No wonder Alister Humphreys was rightly awarded National Geographic Adventurer of the year of 2012
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- Martin
- 13-06-19
loved it
the was the first book by Alistair Humphies I have read and I really enjoyed it. I great take of adventure and I love his outlook on life. i would recommend this. very easy listening.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 21-12-19
Massively enjoyed this book
I really enjoyed story of his travel through a Spain, his courage to try something new (playing violin for income) even knowing he is far from perfect as well as background story about his family. I think it's perfect book for matured free spirits. If you still have that wanderlust but also agree with LESS IS MORE philosophy this is perfect book for you!
Txs for setting example that family comes first, your wisdom and bold spirit! Narration was really good too!
My next listen is going to be his "Microadventures"
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