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Quote by Rebecca Solnit

“In the city, one is alone because the world is made up of strangers, and to be a stranger surrounded by strangers, to walk along silently bearing one's secrets and imagining those of the people one passes, is among the starkest of luxuries. This uncharted identity with its illiminable possibilities is one of the distinctive qualities of urban living, a liberatory state for those who come to emansipate themselves from family and community expectation, to experiment with subculture and identity. It is an observer's state, cool, withdrawn, with senses sharpened, a good state for anybody who needs to reflect or create. In small doses melancholy, alienation, and introspection are among life's most refined pleasures.”

Quote by Rebecca Solnit

Work

Wanderlust: A History of Walking

Wanderlust: A History of Walking is a comprehensive study that delves into the historical and cultural aspects of walking. The book traces the evolution of walking from a necessity for survival to a leisure activity and a means of self-expression. It includes insights into the personal journeys of walkers, the social and political implications of walking, and the psychological benefits of this ancient form of movement. The narrative spans across different eras and regions, offering a rich tapestry of human experiences and the transformative power of walking. more

Author

Rebecca Solnit
Rebecca Solnit

Rebecca Solnit is an American writer known for her works on environmental, cultural, political, and social issues. Her writing spans a wide range of topics, including nature, travel, gender, and power. Her books include 'Wanderlust', 'A Field Guide to Getting Lost', and 'The Faraway Nearby'. more

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“They are silent for a moment, watching the waves come closer and closer to their feet. There is always the temptation, thinks Ruth, to stay just a little bit too long, to stand on the water’s edge until the spray actually gets you. And it’s not always the wave you expect, the spectacular breakers hurling themselves against the shore. Sometimes it’s the sneaky waves, the ones that come from nowhere, sucking the sand away from your feet; sometimes it’s these waves that take you by surprise.”

“Σκυθρωπός, σιωπηλός, αδιάφορος στη νέα πνοή ζωντάνιας που συγκλόνιζε το σπίτι, ο συνταγματάρχης Αουρελιάνο Μουενδία είχε καταλάβει καλά πως το μυστικό για τα καλά γερατειά δεν ήταν τίποτα περισσότερο από μια τίμια συμφωνία με τη μοναξιά.”

“I took another road, past the old sugar works and the water wheel that had not turned for years. I went to parts of Coulibri that I had not seen, where there was no road, no path, no track. And if the razor grass cut my legs and arms I would think 'It's better than people.' Black ants or red ones, tall nests swarming with white ants, rain that soaked me to the skin - once I saw a snake. All better than people. Better, better, better than people.”