Nearest Earthly Place to Paradise

The Literary Landscape of Shropshire

Shropshire has inspired many writers over the centuries: its bucolic rolling fields and meadows, its dramatic wild hills and moors, its traditional market towns, its patchwork of copses and hedgerows, its bleak and beautiful mountains. 

Extracts from Charles Dickens to Tom Sharpe, from Katherine Swift to AE Housman, from Bill Bryson to Pete Postlethwaite, are matched with stunning photographs by Shropshire’s Geoff Taylor, who has captured the landscapes that drew out the words.

This elegant anthology of Shropshire-inspired literature also features extracts from Samuel Johnson, John Betjeman, DH Lawrence, John Masefield, Henry Kingsley, Wilfred Owen, Mary Webb, John Milton, Simon Evans, Henry James, Phil Rickman, Tim Pears, Roger Evans, Ellis Peters and many more.

Availability:

Illustrations:
60 Colour photographs

Pages:
128

Published:
Sep 05, 2013

ISBN:
9781906122522

About the Author:

Margaret Wilson lives in Leebotwood near Church Stretton. After working in Paris, Madrid and London as a business translator she moved, with her husband and son, to Shropshire. Here, she enjoys walking in the hills, exploring the towns and villages and learning about the county’s folklore. She works as a literary editor and proof-reader.  Her hobbies include gardening, making theatrical costumes and travel.

Geoff Taylor lives in the Shropshire village of Rushbury. His early love of photography led to a first-class honours degree in the subject as a mature student, followed by a Masters in Art and Design. He is an Associate of The Royal Photographic Society and the British Institute of Professional Photography, and has exhibited throughout the UK. Geoff now works as a tutor in Photography and Digital Art with the Open College of the Arts. He enjoys various outdoor activities including hill walking with his wife Lorna.