
How far do you have to go to find yourself?
One afternoon many years ago, James Rebanks met an old woman on a remote Norwegian island. She lived and worked alone on a tiny rocky outcrop, caring for wild Eider ducks and gathering their down. Hers was a centuries-old trade that had once made men and women rich, but had long been in decline. Still, somehow, she seemed to be hanging on.
Back at home, Rebanks couldn’t stop thinking about the woman on the rocks. She was fierce and otherworldly – and yet strangely familiar. Years passed. Then, one day, he wrote her a letter, asking if he could return. Bring work clothes, she replied, and good boots, and come quickly: her health was failing. And so he travelled to the edge of the Arctic to witness her last season on the island.
This is the story of that season. It is the story of a unique and ancient landscape, and of the woman who brought it back to life. It traces the pattern of her work from the rough, isolated toil of bitter winter, to the elation of the endless summer light, when the birds leave behind their precious down for gathering, like feathered gold.
Slowly, Rebanks begins to understand that this woman and her world are not what he had previously thought. What began as a journey of escape becomes an extraordinary lesson in self-knowledge and forgiveness.
Important Notice: Temporary Suspension of U.S. Shipping
We are currently updating our shipping processes to comply with new U.S. import regulations. As a result, we are temporarily pausing all orders to the United States.
Subscriptions: If you have taken out a subscription, we currently anticipate that you will receive your upcoming titles as usual. If this changes, we will contact you directly via email.
We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. Please check back here for updates on when U.S. shipping will resume.
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Our deliveries are now carbon neutral.
Orders over £75* will qualify for FREE standard shipping within the UK.
Order value |
Under £25 |
£25 - £75 |
Over £75 |
Timescale |
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£ 3.50 |
£ 5.00 |
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up to 7 Business Days |
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Boston Spa
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Rest of the World orders
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Under £25 |
£25 - £50 |
£50 - £100 |
Over £100 |
Timescale |
Airmail |
£ 20 |
£ 30 |
£ 40 |
£ 50 |
Usually 2 - 4 weeks |
EU and Europe orders
Due to the new EU Regulation 2023/988 (GPSR), we are temporarily pausing shipments to Europe, including the Republic of Ireland. We understand this may be disappointing, and we are working to resume our services as soon as possible. Please check this page for updates.
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