DESCRIPTION

At its heart is a single, transformative idea: that rivers are not mere matter for human use, but living beings – who should be recognised as such in both imagination and law. Is a River Alive? takes the reader on an exhilarating exploration of the past, present and futures of this ancient, urgent concept.

The book flows first to northern Ecuador, where a miraculous cloud-forest and its rivers are threatened by goldmining. Then, to the wounded rivers, creeks and lagoons of southern India, where a desperate battle to save the lives of these waterbodies is under way. And finally, to north-eastern Quebec, where a spectacular wild river – the Mutehekau or Magpie – is being defended from death by damming in a river-rights campaign.

At once Macfarlane’s most personal and most political book to date, Is a River Alive? will open hearts, spark debates and lead us to the revelation that our fate flows with that of rivers – and always has.

• Publisher: Hamish Hamilton (May 2025)
• ISBN: 9780241624814
• Dimensions: 16.3 x 3.5 x 24.1 cm
• Format: Hardback
• Pages: 384 pages