Lifelines

AN FT BEST SUMMER BOOK 

Longlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize

‘Quite magical... A book that will refresh your soul.’ Carol Drinkwater, author of The Olive Farm

THE TRUE STORY OF A COURAGEOUS LEAP INTO A NEW LIFE

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In 2000, burnt out by city living, Julian Hoffman and his wife Julia took a bold step: they left everything behind and moved to Prespa in northern Greece – a remote landscape of vast lakes, snow-capped mountains and stone villages. 

Here, their seasons were punctuated by unforgettable encounters, including nesting summer pelicans, a springtime stare-down with a bear and a winter meeting with fourteen tiny birds above a frozen doorway.

Lifelines is the story of beginning again – of making a home in an unfamiliar place, finding community across borders and discovering belonging in the rhythms of a new land. 

It is a luminous reminder to seek life at its fullest. 

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‘An inspiring call to throw caution to the wind … Lifelines is not just beautiful, it is quite literally encouraging. It will make you brave.’ Observer

‘This remarkable book describes Julian and Julia's odyssey as they meet others on similar quests to find home, be they bears, pelicans or humans.’ Lee Durrell, MBE

‘I was enthralled and won't be the only reader making travel plans.’ Gaia Vince