Walking Out Of This World by Stephen Ford - REVIEW
The story begins, in drizzly mid-October, the Surrey Hills Far and Fast Walkers Society, plans what should have been an average autumn walk. Until newcomer Miles joins the eager members, his presence challenges the group leader Eddie's authority leading the group from the beaten track to the village of Miteby. In this mysterious place, the walkers encounter long-lost loved ones and reimagine their past regrets.
However, it never bodes well to dwell on what-ifs, and Miles has an adversary who tricks the walkers to wander into the Underside a place where life's deepest fears, regrets, and betrayals torment those who end up trapped there.
Walking Out of This World is an intriguing read that showcases Ford's talent for packing a lot of depth and nuance into a relatively short book. By cleverly shifting between the perspectives of his colourful cast, Ford allows us to understand the core five members of the walking group. Despite the mystical events they experience, it’s their journeys that truly drive the story. These characters are relatable, flawed, and strikingly realistic. Their struggles with regret, pain, and trauma are grounded in experiences that could easily mirror those of the reader, making the stories a compelling read. Ford’s most integral message—that of moving on—resonates deeply, as we see ourselves reflected in the very real problems and regrets these characters face.
Using the fantastical of a place like Miteby, to show the reader that everyone, no matter how well put together they are from the outside is carrying some baggage. From the retired enthusiastic walkers like Eddie to overachievers’ fitness fanatics such as Larry. Choosing, Eddi, Jenny, Lizz, Karen, and Larry, the five who seem from the beginning at least to be some of the most well put together and successful are the ones who are most addicted to the magic of Miteby.
What hooked me as a reader, is the concept of Miteby and the way it evokes similar feelings when reading it as the first time reading the Narnia series as a child, but now with a more mature twist. Instead of a magical fairyland, this world offers a rare opportunity for the characters to confront and perhaps even mend the mistakes of their past, if only for a day or two. The magic here isn’t about fantastical creatures or enchanted wardrobes, but rather the poignant, bittersweet possibility of redemption or to comfort ourselves over past heartbreaks, be these within relationships or our life goals.
Ford's writing style is a perfect match for this story. His descriptions possess a whimsical quality, especially when he introduces the enigmatic character, Miles. Miles is a shapeshifter, not in a literal sense, but in how each character perceives him differently. First described as someone with an ordinary yet recognizable appearance, until one by one the other walkers begin conversations with him. Slowly morphing into someone significant from their past. For Eddie, Miles embodies a childhood friend long lost to time; for Liz, he appears as the mutual friend who once connected her and her unfaithful ex. This creates an almost hazy memory fog even for the reader as they know they couldn’t possibly be talking to that friend, but you can’t help but believe it when he begins asking specific questions only the person he believed to be would know. Creating an almost eery undertone to the comforting, familiar presence Miles creates by appearing as, someone who represents a moment of warmth and connection in their otherwise tumultuous lives. This is then flipped when the reader is introduced to Lucifix (Lucy) who appears much more provocatively than Miles, the more interactions the walkers have with her the more she solidifies herself as a person who caused distress in their lives. Taking the forms of bullies or the mistress of a partner.
As a reader who enjoys quite a lot of fantasy, I enjoyed Ford’s more traditional approach to what I think fairies, as trickers who ensure their victims and subtly steal the walker’s energy. Even Miles, who is the lesser of two evils and doesn’t wish the walkers any lasting harm is far from innocent. As the book implies the only reason, he joins the walking group in the first place is to gain access to their energy for Miteby. This atmospheric folkloric approach to fairies is refreshingly different from more sanitized modern depictions as even Miles has his ulterior motives for why he brings the walkers to Miteby.
Overall Walking Out of This World is an atmospheric, thought-provoking read with an interesting and realistic cast of characters. With a message of self-care and understanding and a warning not to let your past regrets consume you. A great read for autumn.
Recommended.
