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Is a River Alive?

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

From celebrated writer Robert Macfarlane comes this brilliant, perspective-shifting new book – which answers a resounding yes to the question of its title.

At its heart is a single, transformative idea: that rivers are not mere matter for human use, but living beings – who should be recognized as such in both imagination and law. Is a River Alive? takes the reader on an exhilarating exploration of the past, present and futures of this ancient, urgent concept.

The book flows first to northern Ecuador, where a miraculous cloud-forest and its rivers are threatened by goldmining.

Then, to the wounded rivers, creeks and lagoons of southern India, where a desperate battle to save the lives of these waterbodies is under way.

And finally, to north-eastern Quebec, where a spectacular wild river – the Mutehekau or Magpie – is being defended from death by damming in a river-rights campaign.

At once Macfarlane’s most personal and most political book to date, Is a River Alive? will open hearts, spark debates and lead us to the revelation that our fate flows with that of rivers – and always has.

© Robert Macfarlane 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

 Ecosystems & Habitats Environment Natural Resources Nature & Ecology Outdoors & Nature Politics & Government Science Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

Everyone who has ever found something to love in a river should find something to love in this book. It is a masterpiece
One of the big publishing events (if not the biggest) of 2025 – a new book by Robert Macfarlane . . . Personal as well as political, it’s almost as certain to shift readerly perspectives as it is to be a bestseller
The book is a delight . . . So stirring, so surprising, so acute
Is a River Alive? is a powerful synthesis of literature, activism and ethics, reshaping the way we perceive the natural world (Alex Preston)
Whether fiction or non-fiction, all great books make you look at the world anew – and Macfarlane’s has changed the way I think about the natural world. In it, he explores the idea that rivers are not objects or resources but living beings, and by the end, that idea feels self-evident . . . A lyrical, persuasive invitation to look again at how we treat the systems that sustain us – and one of the year’s most necessary books
The narrative pull is strong in this book. I kept wanting to go back to it. Macfarlane has yet again demonstrated his genius as an author in creating a book that is alive, that has personality, that talked to me. I was sad when it ended. It has flowed into my daily thoughts ever since, much like a river continues to flow into the sea
Beautiful, wild and wildly provocative
Macfarlane confronts the realities of the living, beating heart of the riverine world . . . With crystalline clarity and force, Macfarlane confronts the gross failure of our existing laws to protect rivers from harm . . . Such ideas are brought to life by the quality of the writing, the evocation of mood and place, the raw smells and energies that accompany Macfarlane, whether on a gentle walk into a Cambridge wood, or hurtling with mortal speed down a Canadian rapid
Impassioned and invigorating . . . Macfarlane is erudite and eclectic, and, though charismatic, doesn’t press his presence upon you. His books are adventurous, often involving truly remarkable companions; and at the sentence level no one could accuse him of painting by numbers . . .
Macfarlane is England’s best nature writer, and once again his prose sings, its rhythm mirroring the subject matter. It’s liquid (or riverine) – surging, eddying and magnificently alive
All stars
Most relevant
He writes passionately, but a bit on the florid side for me. There's a terrible lack of politics in the story, no recognition that the dismantling of capitalism, putting the brakes on expansionist policies that hoover up resources with no regard for the future of the people, the creatures and the planet. He uses too many big words that I forget to look up afterwards, as I listen while I'm driving or doing some tedious task. His voice, though is very relaxing and I need that in my life. I envy his resources to be able to do these projects, I've never had the money and now I don't have the strength. I've read a few of his books and they always teach me something, lots of things, actually. Definitely worth a read/listen.

He cares passionately about his subject.

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Lyrical reading and passionate at times. Thoroughly recommend. Educational but enjoyable. Even better if you like Johnny flynn and Wet Leg!

Beautifully read by the author

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Another fabulous audio, so lovely to have it read by Robert, what an awesome man

Deep Joy to Read

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It took me a while to get into this book as it almost has its own river language. But as I settled into it. I loved the narration and the story telling and being able to see rivers in a whole new way; through history, experience and community. What a powerful book.

A new language for Rivers

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The authors voice. The stories from around the globe. The dangers facing rivers and what local people are doing.

Personal River Narrative

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