Imagining rivers as having lives, and rights

Widely recognised as the pre-eminent writer about ‘nature and place’ of our times, Robert Macfarlane wears many hats. From being a Professorial Fellow at the University of Cambridge’s English Department, to twice donning the role of the Man Booker Prize judge, to acting as a creative collaborator with some of the finest artistes of the age, Macfarlane’s vision and output has stunned the world right since his first book, ‘Mountains of the Mind: A History of a Fascination’, written in his early 20s. Just 48, this highly decorated author has written over 10 books and hundreds of essays, articles, and scripts, at the heart of which lies a subtle and complex exploration of the myriad relationships between landscape and the human heart. His most recent magnum opus, ‘Is a River Alive?’, releases worldwide this month. It’s a book spread across four countries, including India, where he undertakes life-altering journeys to and along some extraordinary water-bodies. We speak about these travels and learnings…