When Irvine Welsh calls your poems ‘lush and sensual’ we think that Sarah and Nicola are onto a winner with the beautifully composed poetry fable book The Green Man & The Raven’s Quest.

Two hugely talented Henley women, writer Sarah Bell & illustrator Nicola Sutherland aka Sutherland Bell, are the wonderfully creative friends behind this exquisitively written and illustrated book which was published this week.

Sarah says, “The poems began as speeches written for Acorn Music Theatre Company’s production of ‘The Green Man and Other Fables’, (I’m an Acorn trustee). Encouraged by Gail Rosier, Acorn’s Artistic Director, influenced by the death of my father and my growing concern at the plight of the planet, I began to write another story.  With Nic’s inspiring illustrations, the story grew and we became Sutherland Bell (it sounds better than Bell Sutherland).  We finished the fable during lockdown as environmental issues, as well as those of compassion, courage and grief, became more important than ever.

A huge influence in my writing comes from my grandmother, Lilian Dyson. She would tell my sister and I bizarre, wonderful and (sometimes) scary stories steeped in her knowledge of British folklore, myths and legends. “

Nicola, being a renowned artist and muralist, and friend for over twenty years there was no one more perfect to illustrate Sarah words. They have dedicated the book to their children Louis, Lottie, Melody, Sylvester and Cleo and The Bell Bookshop has a wonderful illustrated window drawn by Nicola especially for their launch.

‘Determined to save her dying father, a girl sets out on a dangerous quest to find the grail with its elixir of everlasting life. The Green Man watches her perilous journey as he laments upon the impending doom of his natural world. Both are in a race against time but will they be able to stop Death’s relentless stride before it’s too late?’

Haunting, evocative and beautifully illustrated, this rite of passage fable unfolds through a series of narrative poetry and verse with a stark warning for the survival of our planet.

When I read these lush, sensual poems, they take me to a purer, less poisoned England. One of the past, and hopefully one of the future. If you want to get rid of the psychic detritus of modern life, this is dental floss for the mind and soul.

Irvine Welsh

We’re lucky enough to have a copy here at Experience Henley and we love it, plus it’s sustainably printed, what’s not to love? You can pick up a copy from The Bell Bookshop in Bell Street or order online via TSL Publications