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What to expect

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 WAINWRIGHT BOOK PRIZE
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2019 POLARI FIRST BOOK AWARD

'This is a book to get lost in . . . A disturbing trauma narrative, it's also a work of delightfully low, pants-dropping comedy, and a learned meditation' Guardian

'A brave and beautiful book, electrifying on sex and nature, religion and love. No one is writing quite like this' Olivia Laing

'Turns the nature memoir genre upon its head . . . is a book full of poetry and pathos. More than anything it is a bold and beautiful study of how to be a true modern man' Ben Myers, Spectator

At a crossroads in his life, the demons Luke Turner has been battling since childhood are quick to return - depression and guilt surrounding his identity as a bisexual man, experiences of sexual abuse, and the religious upbringing that was the cause of so much confusion. It is among the trees of London's Epping Forest where he seeks refuge. Away from a society that struggles to cope with the complexities of masculinity and sexuality, Luke begins to accept the duality that has provoked so much unrest in his life - and reconcile the expectations of others with his own way of being.

Critics Review

  • Turns the nature memoir genre upon its head . . . OUT OF THE WOODS is a book full of poetry and pathos. More than anything it is a bold and beautiful study of how to be a true modern man

    THE SPECTATOR
  • This is a book to get lost in…A disturbing trauma narrative, it’s also a work of delightfully low, pants-dropping comedy, and a learned meditation

    GUARDIAN
  • OUT OF THE WOODS is a brave and beautiful book, electrifying on sex and nature, religion and love. No one is writing quite like this. I’m so glad Luke Turner exists

    OLIVIA LAING, author of THE LONELY CITY
  • OUT OF THE WOODS had me hooked. Refreshing, frank, edifying, courageous . . . I was quite emotional by the end. Luke Turner is a serious thinker and a unique and important new voice

    AMY LIPTROT, author of THE OUTRUN
  • Unflinching on relationships, the nature of obsession, lust, masculinity, faith and lost innocence. OUT OF THE WOODS is a very special book

    BRETT ANDERSON
  • Truly beautiful prose… the candour and insightful scholarship Turner brings to his subject make it a very worthwhile read

    LITERARY REVIEW

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