Under the Stars, Matt Gaw
Artificial light is everywhere. Not only is it damaging to humans and to wildlife, disrupting our natural rhythms, but it obliterates the subtler lights that have guided us for millennia. In this beautifully written exploration of the power of light, Matt Gaw ventures forth into darkness to find out exactly what we're missing: walking by the light of the moon in Suffolk and under the scattered buckshot of starlight in Scotland; braving the darkest depths of Dartmoor; investigating the glare of 24/7 London and the suburban sprawl of Bury St Edmunds; and, finally, rediscovering a sense of the sublime on the Isle of Coll.
Under the Stars is an inspirational and immersive call to reconnect with the natural world, showing how we only need to step outside to find that, in darkness, the world lights up.
About the author
Matt Gaw is a writer and teacher who lives in Suffolk. He has worked with Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Suffolk Magazine and has written for The Guardian, The Times and The Telegraph and is the author of The Pull of the River: A Journey into the Wild and Watery Heart of Britain. Under the Stars is his second book.
Lyrical, warm, and suffused with the magic of the night, Under the Stars does what all the best books do - it changes the way we look at our world
A review by Chris Rycraft from Hintlesham & Chattisham Bookworms
"I enjoyed the book & found it very descriptive. It was lovely to learn about the Dark Sky Parks & I have been lucky enough to have experienced the Suffolk one at Benacre whilst walking our dog at night, the stars were amazing.The reference to the sowing of crops by the moonlight is still carried out by keen gardeners to this day. It was also interesting to read about the connection of stars & planets with Greek & Roman mythology.
"For someone used to the darkness it was surprising how frightened he became when in total darkness in the forest & how he lost his senses. It is very worrying how our reliance on artificial light is having such a dramatic & devastating effect on wildlife worldwide, far more than I realised, not to mention the waste of energy from all the "well lit" offices in our big cities, particularly so nowadays.
"I think it is a great book for people to read who are concerned about nature and saving the planet, and it has certainly made me think even more about our actions as human beings & our relationship with wildlife for the benefit of future generations."
Delve into a Wild Read and join us for our virtual book club!
Wild Reads is a partnership project between Suffolk Libraries and Suffolk Wildlife Trust to promote our connection between the natural world and the written word.
Wild Reads aims to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy the very best nature writing. The aim is to help inspire and ignite a love of nature in readers through the lenses of a wide variety of writers.
Visit Suffolk Libraries website here for the full Wild Reads booklist.
Wild nightlife!
Feeling inspired by Under the Stars? Well, why not wrap up warm and download our guide to getting the most out of the night sky! Lots of species also venture out under the cover of darkness, including bats and moths. Why not follow our guides to help your winged night-time wildlife.
