It is a long time since a book has had such a profound effect on me. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Entertaining, educational, moving and inspiring in equal measure. A great read.

Robert Macfarlane's dazzling poetic writing shines through even as the places he describes in this book are far more secretive or sinister than his previous explorations above ground. I am always amazed by his ability to completely and vividly conjure a scene with just a few short and simple sentences. In Underland, you can feel the places Macfarlane explores so intensely and claustrophobically that at times I found myself holding my breath. A fascinating and thought-provoking journey into human interactions with underground spaces, and the humbling consideration of how much damage humanity has done to the natural world in a comparatively short time.

I feel quite exhausted, as if i had joined the author in his (insane) journeys across glaciers, out to remote icy islands, then down into catacombs and other terrifying constricted spaces deep in the earth. Despite covering some seriously heavy material on microbiology, geology and nuclear physics (and lots more besides), his eloquent writing style makes you feel as if you know what’s going on. I kept a notepad to hand to google things later, altho spellings can be tricky with audiobooks. It’s a fascinating book but one to take slowly as it’s quite intense. And it’s not just about the natural world but takes in history, art, politics, poetry and the theory of deep time. The author is erudite and astute but has a lightness of touch with some laugh-out-loud descriptions of places and people. Amazing book which I shall dip in to again when my hard copy arrives.

Robert MacFarlane always writes with passion about his experiences both physical and mental. I found this book to be hauntingly lyrical in parts at the same time disturbing in its content. It literally took me to the heights and depths of my emotions - wonder and awe of the present to despair and fear for the future. His experiences could not be more contrasting - burrowing into the mysterious depths in our earth and scaling the heights of mountains and glaciers. He oozes courage and sensitivity, knowledge and empathy with both people and nature. All the various elements of this book combine to make a fascinating read which anyone who is concerned about our part in the decline and fall of our human species should read. I put Robert up there with Sir David and Greta!

I was taken to deep places I never knew existed and made to feel like I was right there beside Macfarlane, sharing in the otherworldly power of those distant spaces. He masterfully ties his underground journeys together, as he moves from the buried relics of the ancient past to the all-too-familiar omens of inevitable environmental collapse. I highly recommend - superb and vital reading