Instagram Tour: Windswept by Annabel Abbs

Today I'm excited to be taking part in the Instagram tour for the fascinating Windswept by Annabel Abbs. Thanks to Two Roads Books and John Murray Press for the gorgeous review copy!

For centuries, the wilds have been male territory, while women sat safely confined at home. But not all women did as they were told, despite the dangers; history is littered with women for whom rural walking became inspiration, consolation and liberation.

In this powerful and deeply inspiring book, Annabel Abbs uncovers women who refused to conform, who recognised a biological, emotional and artistic need for wilderness, water and desert – and who took the courageous step of walking unpeopled and often forbidding landscapes

Part wild-walk, part memoir, Windswept follows an exhilarating journey from Abbs’ isolated car-less childhood to her walking the remote paths trodden by extraordinary women including Georgia O’Keeffe in the empty plains of Texas and New Mexico, Nan Shepherd in the mountains of Scotland, Gwen John following the Garonne, Simone de Beauvoir in the mountains and forests of France and Daphne du Maurier following the River Rhone.

A single question pulses through their walks: How does a woman change once she becomes windswept?

Reading non-fiction is a relatively rare event for me, but as someone who loves walking and hiking the premise had me intrigued. I've always taken for granted the ability to head out on the local moors whenever the fancy takes me, never really considering that it hasn't always been this easy for women to walk where they please. This past year in particular walking (locally of course) has done wonders for my mental and physical health. Part memoir, part a feminist exploration of walking in nature, this was a really interesting book to dip into. I certainly learnt a lot, and it has given me some ideas for further reading. I'll admit it was the mention of Daphne du Maurier that caught my attention, but there are so many other remarkable women mentioned, many of whom I would never have associated with walking. Simone de Beauvoir and Frieda Lawrence to name but a couple. These women walked for reflection, for healing, for empowerment. To push themselves and assert their independence. This is a book that I will return to time and again for inspiration. 

Follow the Instagram tour for more content on this fascinating book!