“This fresh, eclectic mix of utility and art illustrates why we climb – alongside the how, where and what.”

Lynn Robinson, BMC President

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Through a mix of poetry, cartoons, essays, interviews, weavings, photographs and technical tips, A Feeling for Rock explores being bamboozled by a route, connecting with the landscape or flicking through a guidebook. In addition, the book ventures into ethical regions of bias and privilege and questions our relations with each other and the rock. Each chapter is headed by a different feeling – Love, Curiosity, Astonishment, Pain, Lust, Fear, Wonder and so on – conveying the emotional vividness of a climbing life.

“Rock climbing has shaped my body, my bookshelves, my home, my holidays, the clothes I wear, the vehicle I drive, how I spend my money and what happens when I die. I am a product of the rock. The dynamic is visceral, spiritual, intellectual and emotional – no area untouched by this curious hobby.”

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Reviews:

Natalie Berry, UKClimbing Editor in Chief: “Sarah-Jane deftly explores the smorgasbord of emotions that rock, climbing and rock climbing culture have roused in her…As ever, SJ rocks the boat and tackles gender issues head-on; subverting the dominant discourse of men and mountains and instead putting sex, sensuality and emotion on the menu, through this highly immersive collection of prose, poetry and essays.“

Ian Parnell, Review in UKClimbing: “As the months [of lockdown] have dragged on, I’ve wondered is this just an enforced hibernation of the climbing spirit or is 2020 the year climbing’s soul finally died? It was a relief therefore to be asked to review A Feeling for Rock, Sarah-Jane Dobner’s first book, and recognise all the little unquantifiable wonders that make up the climbing life…” https://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/publications/other_publications/a_feeling_for_rock_by_sarah-jane_dobner-13463

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*If you live outside these zones and you would like a book, please contact us via https://dobdobdob.co.uk/contact/ and we’ll make a plan.

Thank you for supporting A Feeling for Rock. Happy climbing