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The Lost Words
- Narrated by: Guy Garvey, Edith Bowman, Benjamin Zephaniah, Cerys Matthews
- Length: 47 mins
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Summary
Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris, read by Edith Bowman, Guy Garvey, Cerys Matthews and Benjamin Zephaniah.
All over the country, there are words disappearing from children's lives. Words like Dandelion, Otter, Bramble, Acorn and Lark represent the natural world of childhood, a rich landscape of discovery and imagination that is fading from children's minds.
The Lost Words stands against the disappearance of wild childhood. It is a joyful celebration of the poetry of nature words and the living glory of our distinctive British countryside. With acrostic spell-poems by peerless wordsmith Robert Macfarlane, this enchanting audiobook captures the irreplaceable magic of language and nature for all ages.
Across a rich and vivid natural soundscape, Edith Bowman, Guy Garvey, Cerys Matthews and Benjamin Zephaniah, iconic voices of modern Britain, bring the magic of nature and language to listeners.
Through captivating readings, wonderful natural recordings and more, the audio edition of The Lost Words is a stunning celebration of the nature and the power of language.
Includes listening notes by Chris Watson, wildlife and natural phenomena recordist, as a downloadable PDF.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio on our Desktop Site.
Critic reviews
"My top book of the year...It is one of those children's books for ages up to 99 years. The lost words are those my generation and earlier ones used every day and which are fast disappearing, and Macfarlane's aim is to resurrect the everyday glories of our language. May he succeed." (Susan Hill)
"Rapturously received celebration of nature." (The New Statesman)
What listeners say about The Lost Words
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Arlene Finnigan
- 28-12-18
Very sweet
This is a lovely bit of whimsy. Very soothing to listen to on audio, and a nice way to get your nature fix in the middle of winter.
10 people found this helpful
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- mrs deax
- 23-02-19
Pure magic!
I loved the book of The Lost Words already, but as it is meant to be spoken out loud and shared, to hear it read by these wonderful voices, now I love it even more. It was destined to be fabulous in this format and didn't disappoint!
19 people found this helpful
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- Sarah Blenkinsop (Compostwoman)
- 06-11-18
absolutely fabulous
This is an incredible book, with wonderful "spells" and the most exquisite illustrations, As well as listening to this fabulous audio book, buy a copy and read along!
8 people found this helpful
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- Yikes!
- 21-03-19
Simply lovely
This is for adults as much as for children. Delicious poetry, drawing us to a closer connection with the natural world.
4 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 19-10-18
Unfolding the old magic ...
... in the form of Speaking aloud Robert Macfarlane’s glorious spell poems. Lifting these Odes to nature words, excised from the Oxford Junior Dictionary, lofting them to the winds, carried on birdsong, to where they may rest on fertile ground, as dandelion seeds.
Drift with these seconds of children’s time, speak aloud these spells, be caressed by the voice of Cerys, ensure these words, these plants, these creatures remain found.
11 people found this helpful
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- daveman
- 30-06-20
SORRY I LOST MY WORDS!
Sorry I lost my words, this is pure magic, magnificent production!
A mini Kindle book of this delicious poetry would be nice too.
1 person found this helpful
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- Gary B.
- 25-06-19
Lovely background musical words
Didn't change my world but made it a little more peaceful in the short 47 minutes that this recording lasts. Things do change and writing like this reminds us of such changes.
1 person found this helpful
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- Tammy Adams
- 22-06-19
Perfection
The birdsong, trickling water and other sounds accompanying the narration show how the right book, with the right readers, can be transcended through the audiobooks format. A lovely listed on a car journey.
1 person found this helpful
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- Brian
- 31-03-19
Poetry in Motion
I'm not into poetry, but this book is a little gem. Lots of poems about the natural world, well read and with the sound of birdsong in the background. Perfect for a spring day!
1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 25-03-19
Easy listening
Very good poetry with authentic sounds from the natural world. One of my favourites.
1 person found this helpful
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- DMJ
- 23-10-18
A wonderful companion to the book
The giant hardcover picture book is an experience of its own. If you haven’t got your hands on it, do as it is a separate experience from the audiobook. Its immersive pictures tell its own story that won’t be forgotten.
The loss of the pictures ought to make this audiobook a sorry excuse. Ingeniously, the creators include soundscapes that perfectly compliment the spell poems. I was entranced, searching for details that I later learned the accompanying PDF provides. Since the book’s purpose is to help us see what is hidden in nature, this worked perfectly. And the narrators were wonderful.
It’s expensive for a 45 minute program, hence my 4 stars. But I’m glad I enjoyed it and do recommend it.
1 person found this helpful