Afloat

A Memoir

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Afloat

By: Danie Couchman

Narrated by: Danie Couchman

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About this listen

Danie Couchman grew up on the move, her family never staying still long enough for her to say where she's from. At 25, and living in her 17th home, she finds herself drowning in the rush of London life and makes an impulsive decision: to buy a narrowboat and make it her home.

Surrounded by an eclectic and itinerant community in the uncharted territory of the capital's urban wilderness, Danie becomes fully immersed in this hidden world. Each day on board her boat, Genesis, is an adventure full of disaster and magic. Over five years of living off-grid, nomadic Danie learns to survive the many highs and lows of boat life alone, keeping herself, and her steel home, afloat.

A captivating debut, Afloat is the story of a young woman's desire to escape an ever more isolated city existence and reconnect with nature, discovering what is important in life.

Cover Credit: © Eleanor Taylor

Sailing & Boating

Water Sports

Women

Memoir

Sports

Inspiring

Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

"What an enjoyable and engaging book. I loved all the granular detail of boat living, the portraits of the various characters who live on the water, and the moving story of Danie's family and her teenage years. The way she describes feeling powerless when in thrall to older boys will be painfully resonant to lots of women." (Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of The Last Act Of Love)

"This is such a lovely book, about life on the river, and so much more. It's a tale of strength and courage - painfully sad, and beautifully uplifting, and always fascinating." (Anna Maxted, The Times)

"Afloat makes it clear that we must all stop to appreciate the simplicity of life in the urban landscape of London’s waterways" (George Burton, BBC Radio London)

Most relevant

I absolutely adored the storyline... I knew very little of boating life and now I know loads! I wanted to be part of it ... fantastic writing and beautiful descriptions... a true gem.