The Wild Remedy

Emma Mitchell’s richly illustrated and evocative nature diary tracks the lives of local flora and fauna around her home and further afield, and shows how being in the wild benefits our mental and physical wellbeing. ‘An absolute joy. Rarely do you find a book that soothes both the mind and the soul, but The Wild Remedy has managed it. This is such a powerful and beautiful book, and I can’t think of anyone whose life would not be in a better place for reading it.’– Joanna Cannon ‘Emma’s writing is precise, gorgeous and inspiring, and I am delighted to have a whole year’s worth of her beautiful artwork. She makes me look more closely, learn more gladly and get outside more.’– Amy Liptrot ‘Emma Mitchell has a knack for making even the humblest garden or daily dog-walk seem richer and more rewarding. It comes as no surprise that her ability to make and share a creative connection to nature can benefit mental health.’– Melissa Harrison ‘Emma’s words are profound, her photography is inspiring and her illustrations are exquisite. This book is the literary equivalent of Prozac.’ – Emma Freud THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER Emma Mitchell's richly illustrated and evocative diary records her nature finds over the course of a year and shows how being in the wild benefits our mental and physical wellbeing. 'This is a beautiful, beautiful book, I can't recommend it enough.' Sue Perkins _________________________ ‘Profound, inspiring and exquisite.’ Emma Freud _________________________ ‘Precise, gorgeous and inspiring.’ Amy Liptrot _________________________ Emma Mitchell has suffered with depression – or as she calls it, 'the grey slug' – for twenty-five years. In 2003, she moved from the city to the edge of the Cambridgeshire Fens and began to take walks in the countryside around her new home, photographing, collecting and drawing as she went. In Emma's hand-illustrated diary, she takes us with her as she follows the local paths and trails, sharing her nature finds over the course of a year. Reflecting on how these encounters impact her mood, Emma's candid account of her own struggles is a powerful testament to how reconnecting with nature can be as medicinal as any talking therapy or pharmaceutical. Written with Emma's characteristic wit and frankness, and filled with her beautiful drawings, paintings and photography, this is a truly unique book for anyone who has ever felt drawn to nature and wondered about its influence over us.