Finding Hildasay

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What to expect

In his darkest depression, one idea brought Christian Lewis out of the depths - and into a new life. Finding Hildasay, read by the author, is a brutal and beautiful true story of depression, survival, walking, and the meaning of home.

‘Now I was finally out of the force of the wind, my body began to warm – the part where the real pain sets in. I’d felt it plenty of times before on this journey, but this time it was different. As I began to regain feeling in my fingers and toes, it burned so strongly that I just sat in tears of pain.’

Ex-paratrooper Christian Lewis had hit rock bottom, suffering with depression so severe he would shut himself in his bedroom for weeks. Then while surfing – his only respite – he cast his eyes along the coastline and realized it was the only place he really wanted to be.

Making an impulsive decision to set himself a challenge – walk the entire coastline of the UK – Chris gave himself a few days to rustle up a tent and walking boots, then left for good with just a tenner in his pocket and two days’ worth of food. Little did he know at the time just how long it would take to cross the finish line – and the encounters that lay ahead that would turn his life around.

Five years later, Chris has navigated the West Coast, Northern Ireland, the hard-rock cliffs of Scotland and the perimeters of the Scottish Islands . He spent three months on an uninhabited island called Hildasay, where there was no fresh water or food. It was there, the most barren his route had become, that the more pride and respect he found within himself – and the more remarkable his journey became. Happiness and hope was just around the corner.

Critics Review

The word ‘inspiration’ is often overused; Chris really is an inspiration. I urge you to read his tale

Sir Andrew Gregory, CEO of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity

Exhilarating

Observer

The real journey here is one of self-discovery

Mail on Sunday

I love how genuine it feels … Chris is a remarkable man

Dorset Magazine

User Reviews

Book 4.0
Narration 3.7
5.0
5.0
samantha smart 27/03/2023
2.0
1.0
Disappointing

This was the November choice for my online bookclub. I was really looking forward to listening to it - but what a disappointment! The narration was bland and boring. The narrative didnu2019t grab me at all either, and chunks of the back story seemed to be missing, so I struggled to find anything to hang on to. There has been a slew of these books on the market just lately: I have read or listened to quite a lot of them, and for me this has been the worst by a country mile.
Tulabelle2 02/12/2024
5.0
5.0
What can I say ?!!!! Truly beautiful and inspirational u2764ufe0f
tracy 1970 01/05/2023

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