The Ponies at the Edge of the World cover art

The Ponies at the Edge of the World

On Nature, Belonging and Finding Home

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The Ponies at the Edge of the World

By: Catherine Munro
Narrated by: Catherine Munro
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

I had drifted, gotten lost, strayed from the paths and places I love. I felt Shetland calling me, and in this moment, I began my slow, imperfect journey towards finding home.

Catherine Munro transforms her life when she moves to Shetland to study the hardy ponies who call this archipelago home. Over the course of her first year, she is welcomed into the rhythms and routines that characterise life at the edge of the world.

When faced with personal loss, Catherine finds comfort and connection in the shared lives of the people, animals and wild landscapes of Shetland. The Ponies at the Edge of the World is a heartfelt love letter to the beauty and resilience of these magical ponies and their native land. This is a stunning book on community, hope and finding home.

©2022 Catherine Munro (P)2022 Penguin Audio Animals Biological Sciences Outdoors & Nature Science Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

'Striking' (The Times)

'A meditation on connection between humans and animals, and the homes we make in wild places. I was completely immersed in this remote landscape' (Katherine May, bestselling author of WINTERING)

'The Shetland isles and Shetland ponies, the double-down dream, woven with admiration, the narrator's craft, and some healthy, clear-eyed insight. I damn loved it' (John Lewis-Stempel, bestselling author of MEADOWLAND)
All stars
Most relevant
Once I found the right speed (1.05) I enjoyed the author's narration of what it's like to relocate to a remote island, to live as part of the community where islanders have a strong sense of identity and heritage for their landscape and native breeds. I can identify with the writer in several ways as an incomer myself and never having. truly felt I belonged anywhere I have lived.

Remote Island Living, its People and Their Animals

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...as well as an interesting insight into the admirable lives lived on Shetland & the individual life of the author. Beautiful, thoughtful, informative and interesting.


Personal without being narcissistic, philosophical without being impractical, deep without being too abstract, informative without being too factually heavy-laden. 


The larger topic of human relationships to animals is considered, whilst at the same time conveying the details of the lives of Shetland crofters and breeders.


A beautiful non-fiction book - the perfect balance of information, insight and narrative. I felt the gentle forward progression of a story, and the journey was an insightful and interesting one.

A Wonderful Commentary on the Relationships Between Animals and People...

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What a brilliant book, so completely left field. I listened to it to discover more about Shetland, but have learned so much more, and will certainly recommend it to friends and family.

Shetland Ponies so misunderstood

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What a fabulous book.
Thinking it would be a lovely insight in living on the island and the traditional way of life as seen from the outside I was ready for a gentle read.
I really loved the descriptions of the islands nature, and the rural community.
I grieved with the author at her loss, and celebrated at her success.
I loved the simplicity of this journal like book and the soft brogue like quality of the authors accent.
Thank you for sharing your experiences.

You had me at Shetland ponies

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Firstly it’s a great story full of wonderful descriptive and historical references.

No disrespect to the author but her voice has very little tones and the sentences started to feel autonomous. I think this is a book that would be better read as a paper back so you can find your own rhythm. I had to stop many times as I drifted away from the reader. There was an opportunity to add so much more using more voice expression.

However a very well written book.

Historical

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