THE LIVING MOUNTAIN

An audiobook for the soul. This exquisite work of nature writing celebrating Scotland's Cairngorms mountains remains a classic of ecological observation. Tilda Swinton's rendition of Nan Shepherd's poetic prose mesmerizes. Her tone is exceptionally clear, her pace adds drama, and her style of narrating is immersive. Written in the 1940s, the book remained unpublished until the 1970s. Shepherd appreciated these mountains in all seasons and lived near them for much of her life. The language sings, "Nothing is so ghostly as mist over snow." The flora and fauna of the landscape fulfill and inspire her. She finds meaning in the granite, knows the danger (people freeze to death), and experiences the "profound contentment" the Cairngorms offer. Listen to the text, then the intro and afterword. A.D.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2025]