The Place of Tides

In this charming blend of nature writing and memoir, travel writer Rebanks recounts a magical summer spent on Norway’s Vega archipelago. Not long ago Rebanks reached a place of personal and professional weariness. His chosen antidote? Traveling to Norway’s sparsely populated islands just under the Arctic circle, where a handful of old-timers still engage in the traditional work of gathering eider duck down. Under the tutelage of “duck woman” Anna, Rebanks learns about the history of the region and its fading way of life. This lyrical, meditative work and its vivid picture of the Norwegian islands is the best kind of armchair travel. I found myself saying Listen to this! before reading parts aloud to anyone in my vicinity.