Tuesday 29 January 2019

Solitude


I recently read Terry Waite’s book “Solitude”, which I found to be a fascinating reflection on the subject. In many ways, the book is rooted in his own experience of captivity, much of which was spent in isolation. It is therefore not surprising that the book describes something of a mix of the challenges and the benefits of solitude. Waite engages with an interesting range of people, describing and reflecting on their experiences. He clearly indicates the value of solitude, but that goes alongside some of the difficulties that it can create. The book is effectively a selection of interviews in which he engages with people who have a strong element of solitude in their lives. Mostly, as with those he encounters in the Australian outback, choice has played a strong part in their engagement with solitude. However, for others, like those in government secret services, there is a stronger element of it being imposed. I really enjoyed the book, and was particularly reminded of the need to find space.

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