The First Book
Introduction by Robbie
Why The Wind in the Willows
Robbie introduces the reading · TBC
This was the first complete book I read to Gilly. It began with The Piper at the Gates of Dawn on 8 September 2020 — the chapter that changed everything, that moved us from poems to novels. When I asked if she’d like the whole book, she said yes.
And during the reading, on 17 November, she said: “You should do a Wind in the Willows podcast or a series of same.” She saw where this was going before I did.
The book means a lot to our family. My father loved it, and we used to go and see a stage show with the same actor playing Mole year after year — I think he was in his 80s when we last went. Gilly herself had memories of it from childhood — the snow story, Toad’s trial, the river — and listening again brought them back, layered now with new feeling.
The Wind in the Willows is where a daily practice of poetry became something larger. It is the root of everything that followed — War and Peace, Dickens, Tolstoy, nearly six years of reading. It all started here, on the river bank.
What Gilly Said
Much enjoyed. Many thoughts of Pere and boats.
23 October 2020
Kindness, care and teaching — can a water rat mentor a mole?
25 October 2020
Yes, let’s make this Wind in the Willows week.
28 October 2020
I had completely forgotten the snow story. You do read so beautifully. I hope badger hears them…
30 October 2020
Does Toad remind you of anyone?
5 November 2020
The court and sentencing of Toad had a brutality I had forgotten but hearing again was reminded of how much it upset me when I was little. The sentencing is disproportionate and although a child would not have known that word, she could have felt it.
9 November 2020
Was worrying about mole and much relieved when he appeared.
15 November 2020
The caring Mole provides with the “tools” needed to write poetry…
16 November 2020
That was just lovely. You should do a Wind in the Willows podcast or a series of same.
17 November 2020
I wonder why Ratty became anxious and fussing.
21 November 2020
41 recordings · Listen in order or pick a favourite chapter
The Twelve Chapters
41 recordings across 12 chapters — some chapters split across multiple readings.
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