'As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning' by Laurie Lee Review: A life of nomadic experiences
When it comes to choosing books, I'm usually quite a mess. I never quite know what I want or should expect from one. I know I am for the most part open to most genres, as I am with films, but I'm often overwhelmed by a forever growing list of options to choose from; requiring some research into them or the author just to make sure it's something I'll enjoy. It's a bad habit of mine, and I certainly wish I was like most where I could pick up any book and start reading. Though it was the author Laurie Lee that led to my first impulse purchase of a book, and it resulting in one of my favourite books I have ever read.
I saw the cover of this book in a thread on a forum one day, completely unrelated to the thread's subject. But its cover and title just stood out to me: I instantly knew that this book was something I would enjoy, something that spoke to me and didn't just make itself aware to me, but screamed at me to read it. I ordered it from Amazon within minutes. I didn't read what it was about, and I wasn't interested in finding out until the book itself was within my hands.
At the time, I was in my earlier twenties, still unsure as to which direction I should pursue in life. I had a few interests but nothing that seemed all that appealing or realistic at first. However, I knew I wanted to do something that involved travelling and meeting people. Once the book arrived, and I opened its first few pages, I was hit with instant inspiration, hit with a sudden understanding of the world that I wanted to see and pursue. That is to say: Laurie Lee's writing is nothing short of a gift that instantly removes you from your present and places you deep into his experiences.
One note: there's no spoilers in this review. I have intentionally left out significant parts of the book, only summarising certain aspects of it.
Laurie Lee's 'As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning' is a non-fiction book. A story of real events and recollections of the writer's travels of the past as he decided to roam England and Spain mostly by foot. Camping beneath the stars or suddenly picking up work in remote locations to help the many families he stumbles across and lives with for short durations.
We're instantly reminded of the significant changes of our society and natural environments as he describes the simplicity of the world as a nomadic traveller during a time where roads were relatively sparse and cars were mostly kept in cities. For us, it's hard to imagine a world without what we consider necessities, and it instantly provides some depth into what this world was like before us, where if you wanted to travel, you had very little choice but to quite literally take the long road.
Lee's writing is as detailed as if these very events were documented in real time, the way in which he describes the many people he meets and the places he stays at conveys a strong feeling of nostalgia for such times. It starts off relatively slowly in each location, as he finds his feet and slowly begins to roam and find ways to make money without being tied down too much in one location; his nomadic tendencies also display aspects of heartbreak and isolation where he chooses the road over love in his youth.
In such moments, it's hard to connect with Lee as he rejects such strong emotions in favour of searching for the unknown. But I even felt some admiration for his ability to never stay too fixated on the present, and constantly look towards the future without really knowing where he might end up or who may enter his life. This is evident in the writing as he quickly makes the decision to travel to Spain, where the travels really begin.
From the moment that Lee sees the Spanish horizon he describes it with such curiosity. His wording changes from simply roaming England to what sounds like a completely different world; which makes perfect sense for a young male born into the hilly countryside of England. The strong heat that fills your lungs with each breath, the very white, dry villages with nothing but the sun's unyielding intensity between them. The new threats of animals in the wild that venture out in search for food under the moonlight as Lee camps upon a hillside.
It's evident that this new turn is one that is filled with danger, but that makes the adventures that much more appealing to Lee. He's not afraid of the challenges, and is in fact in search of these various difficulties that display the harsh reality of both life and the passing of time. It's here where Lee is culturally lost. Incapable of speaking the language and getting by via any means necessary. Though Lee never truly expresses much fear in his writing, it's always filled with some aspect of excitement and adventure, where no matter the situation, he strives to push forward into the next village, stumbling into isolated families and witnessing cultural events he hadn't even heard of prior."Where should I go now? It didn't matter."
Lee writes about these cultural events with a considerable amount of respect and understanding. He's aware that he is in fact the outsider, and these certain events and ways of life are far from strange, just unique to what he knew of the world prior. This results in each town, person, and event displaying some personal growth as he learns more of the world. And his compassion towards the Spanish people grows in strength as he hears of war and political fragility. In a way, Lee finds a belonging alongside the Spanish people.
'As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning' is a series of memories that reflect a nomadic lifestyle. One that rejected the modern expectations of a worker in favour of venturing out into the unknown. To survive almost entirely in a homeless manner. Venturing from one place to another and surviving by any means necessary while discovering the world with each step.
Lee uses beautiful writing to convey the beauty of the world itself, to not just recollect and serve as a nostalgic piece, but to show the reader that there's an entire world still out there to be discovered. All it takes is the courage to take those first few steps away from home. And while it may be more difficult in today's society, it's still something worth pursuing. The people met, the culture witnessed, the freedom of never knowing where you're truly headed. Each of these aspects of travel leading to the revealing of your true self.
The curiosity in Lee's experiences and decisions shows a neverending itch for discovery. To witness new places, people, events, and accept any potential problems that may arise along the way. His courage to simply roam, never caring for where he ends up or how he gets there -- providing most of it is by foot -- oozes with passion for a lifestyle that many can no longer pursue. In fact, early on in the book he references similar people, comparing them to the homeless that flocked from all around the English country in search for opportunity. Stating that these curious individuals are the only ones really living.
It reads like a dream, like a recollection of your own thoughts with such fluidity. Almost fictional due to Lee's ability to describe both the simple and the complex with such humanity and ease. As a result, it has managed to cement itself as one of my favourite books. One of the few books I can say I had nothing but excitement with on every page. And it's certainly an amazing book to read if you yourself are questioning your place in the world and considering one day walking out yourself on one midsummer morning.