Company of Owls

Polly Atkin is an award-winning nature writer, memoirist, and poet. She has previously taught English Literature and Creative Writing at Queen Mary University of London, Strathclyde University, Lancaster University, and the University of Cumbria. Her first book, Some of Us Just Fall: On Nature and Not Getting Better, was longlisted for the 2024 Wainwright Prize. She currently lives in Grasmere, England, and is the co-owner of historic independent bookshop Sam Read Bookseller.

“Pensive and deeply felt, Atkins’s musings will leave readers wondering what they might learn about themselves by taking a closer look at the natural world around them.”—Publishers Weekly“A meditation by a singular writer who is less affected by nature than she is of it."—Kirkus Reviews“A thought-provoking memoir for readers interested in natural history, disability, or the pastoral tradition in English literature.”—Margaret Heller, Library Journal “Atkin's lovely, reflective memoir reminds all readers to slow down, listen, and find joy.”—Shelf Awareness, starred review “The Company of Owls is a book filled with wonder, wisdom, and warmth. Polly Atkin writes with both precision and tenderness about these otherworldly birds—but also about solitude and community, disease and wholeness, day and darkness. Her moving and meaningful observations and lyrical prose will stick with you for a long time.”—Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus“We need more people like Polly Atkin—passionate observer and protector of the wild, poetic bard of days and nights lived outdoors, and owl whisperer extraordinaire. I will never walk through the night woods the same way again.”—Helen Whybrow, author of The Salt Stones"Polly Atkin writes with a raw honesty that I found instantly endearing, and it is a serious delight to venture into twilight with this sensitive bard of owls."—Priyanka Kumar, author of Conversations with Birds“I couldn’t put down this warm and comforting, beautiful book. We get to know Polly and the local owls she has such an affinity within the Lake District. It’s an intimate journey of discovery, following the lives of three tawny owlets, watching them grow, willing them to do well and learning about their behaviour through Polly’s observations and poetic musings. You are right there with her through moments of joy, jeopardy, pain, spine-tingling suspense and elation. Her totally gorgeous celebration of owls draws us closer to these mysterious and admirable birds.”—Ajay Tegala, author of Wetland Diaries“This gorgeous, dusky hymn to [tawny owls] and the other three species of owl that live wild in Cumbria meditates beautifully on what keeping company with these marvellous birds has taught her about ‘difference and aloneness and companionship and difficulty.’”—The Bookseller, Editor’s Choice“The Company of Owls is a beautiful guide to moving through this world with tender curiosity, joy and reflection. Polly Atkin’s words left me with a longing for owls and a longing for a world in which every single one of us can belong.”—Sally Huband, author of Sea Bean“I adored The Company of Owls. Rarely have I found a book so transporting, so moving, yet so subtle in its study of a place and a species. Polly Atkin writes with gentle grace—I will be thinking about the owls and the landscape of this book for a long time to come.”—Jessica J. Lee, author of Dispersals“The author is fortunate in her proximity to [owls], but this touching, gentle offering shows that, given a humble heart and willingness to stand still in nature and look and listen, you can get closer to owls than you’d imagine.”—Country Life“An elegiac meditation laced with gems of owl lore.”—Saga “A poet and writer based in Cumbria, Atkin has long entertained frequent visits from owls to her garden and sees them as her neighbours. Here, she reveals what they have taught her about life.”—iNews “Beautifully written and densely observant . . . a nocturnal love song to the owls that surround her Lake District home.”—Christopher Hart, The Daily Mail