'A Fisherman in the Saddle' by Julian Roup

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A Fisherman in the Saddle is a meditation on joy; it is a return to those things that have given me the greatest pleasure in life – horses and fishing. Both have been lifesavers in their time, like medicine in their effect.

Horse riding is cheaper than seeing a shrink and I find contemplation or meditation as a by-product of riding or fishing, life enhancing.

This book was born out of the death of a horse, Sebastian. To commemorate him I started writing and soon found all my other horses appearing on the pages of this book, like milestones to my life. They carried me into beautiful landscapes on three continents and offered solace when everything else failed. When I am in the saddle I’m home, wherever I may be.

And the sea has never failed to provide fish and the best kind of companionship. I have always been seawitched.

If you love the outdoors and find solace under the sky, then this book is for you. And if you love horses and landscape, or the sea and fishing, then you will find a bonus here.

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Praise for A Fisherman in the Saddle.

“This is story telling charged with raw emotion and always a deep appreciation for the sheer beauty and the enduring magic of nature which transcends politics, implosion of families, emigration. Horses, the author says, became ‘my nation, my friends, my identity, my medicine. When I am in the saddle I’m home.’’

Robyn Cohen, The Cape Times.

“Every now and then a gem of a new book lands on my desk: sometimes but rarely a diamond. This is one. I laughed. I cried. I was deeply moved. This is among the best books I have ever read about fishing, horses, growing up, the pain of maturity, leaving one’s homeland and the things that make up the richness of life.”

Dave Bristow, Getaway Magazine.

“The ability of horses to help and heal is boundless. In A Fisherman in the Saddle, Julian Roup explains how he feels about horses. ‘The feeling of elation, of freedom, of excitement was indescribable. It was like being given wings and the gift of flight. I was hooked for life.' I know the feeling, and I hope many others discover it for themselves.”

Octavia Pollock, Country Life.

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About the author

Julian Roup is the author of three non-fiction books: a children’s book, A Day In the Life of an MP; A Fisherman in the Saddle, a memoir of growing up in South Africa; and Boerejood, which explores the miracle of peaceful change to democratic rule in South Africa in 1994.

Boerejood received critical praise from many, including the Financial Times in the UK, which described it as: “Brilliant, engaged, intelligent, personal….and funny”. The FT ran a 2,000-word feature on the book as its Weekend Magazine cover story in May 2006.

Julian Roup has a background which combines marketing, journalism and public relations.

Born in South Africa in 1950, he lived in Cape Town for the first 30 years of his life. He has a journalism degree from Rhodes University in South Africa, and worked at the Cape Times and the Cape Argus before emigrating to England in 1980, where he started off writing for the Mid Sussex Times.

He founded his own PR consultancy, Bendigo Communications, in 1993. Clients have included: Virgin Atlantic, Bonhams, Bradford & Bingley, and the Development Agency for the Western Cape in South Africa. He has also created PR campaigns for clients including the British Army, Black Horse Agencies, Christie's, the Government of Malta, the London Underground, British Rail InterCity, NSPCC, and the RSPCA.

He worked as Director of Press and Marketing for Bonhams, the international fine art auction company, for 12 years.

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Praise for Julian Roup

Evocative of Annie Dillard's chapter about The Tree with the Lights in it, in her book ‘Pilgrim at Tinker Creek’. Beautifully done, Julian.

Leslie Moïse

It is a rare thing to find a book which speaks intimately of a place both you and the author know and love, but even if you aren;t acquainted with Ashdown Forest the appeal is just as strong. Julian brings this magical place to life on the page with a rare depth of feeling. Essential reading and highly recommended - a modern day equivalent to Nan Shepherd's The Living Mountain for the other end of the country!

Paul McKinnel

Beautifully written. You speak the words that we feel in our hearts. Thank You to horses everyday, everywhere. X

Diane Rainbow

This is an amazing piece of writing - absolutely captivated by it and think the author perfectly explains that exquisite relationship that women are able to have with horses. Mine definitely used to give me that illusion of power and strength and almost winged flight all the time. I’ve been to parts of South Africa too and loved the descriptions of the riding country. Thank you for sharing this.

Helen Elizabeth Stone

While reading this lovely woods hymn, I was thinking how I felt exploring the great East Texas forest and had only one word - free. A horse allows freedom.

Kay Motley

I thought you’d like this because a) he writes beautifully; and b) the South African connection.

Miranda Kavanagh

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Purchase A Fisherman in the Saddle by Julian Roup:

Amazon (UK): click here

Amazon (US): click here

Amazon (Canada): click here

Barnes & Noble: click here

Apple Books: click here

Waterstones: click here