Out Now: Unbelievable! A Working Country Life

People love books about the countryside, but why do they all tend to be about posh people or the life cycle of the lapwing? Introducing Martin Aris, a working-class farmer, river keeper and mischief-maker, from the Cotswolds and Wiltshire.

Martin is a proper country bloke who tells it like it is. Unbelievable! – his illustrated biography and thoughts on nature and life – does feature lovely lapwings etc, but also poaching and punch-ups. Plus, forget the Queen’s (or King’s) English: this is written in Martin’s Cots-Wilts accent, embellished with expletives.

Unbelievable! will make you laugh out loud and reflect on a life well lived.

10% of profits will be donated to The Angling Trust, a not-for-profit organisation that represents anglers and fights for fish, fishing and the environment.

Over the years, Martin has told me many stories about his life in the countryside - first in the Cotswolds (where he grew up) and then in Wiltshire - both about the wildlife and 'the wild life'! Unbelievable! is Martin's catchphrase, and you'll see why when you read the book. 

So how did it come about? Well, during the first Covid lockdown, I was sitting outside with Martin having a socially-distanced cup of tea. He was telling me another funny anecdote that made me laugh out loud, and suddenly, I thought: hang on a minute, these could make a good book!

So, I bought a voice recorder, and with Martin's permission, started interviewing him. The project took several years, as we both had busy jobs. However, here we are now, with the illustrated biography of a brilliant farmer, river keeper and mischief-maker. I hope you'll enjoy it!

It's impossible to 'hear' Martin in the book, but as Unbelievable! is his story, and his accent is an important part of him. That's why I've written him up phonetically (as he speaks). It wouldn't be right to use Queen's (or King's) English. 

Martin's Cots-Wiltshire accent is not bad English though; just a version of English. Among other things, it involves dropping lots of consonants and vowels and using some broad vowels. So, for example, instead of: "I can't [or cahn't] hear you," he might say: "I caan' 'ear you".

It was quite a challenge to learn how to write in Martin's English, but as a former linguist, it was fun to try. It might be a little difficult to read it too, but the trick is to go slowly: get into country time and step into Martin's riverside world. 

I was keen to use Wiltshire businesses for Unbelievable!, and it's been a pleasure to work with a local publisher and artist.

Chalk Stream Books has a very on-theme name for a book about a river keeper who looks after an endangered chalk stream river. They are brilliant, and based near Salisbury. See chalkstreambooks.com, where you can buy my book (from 20 March). Chalk Stream are part of Riverside Publishing Solutions Ltd.

Alex Crump, the book's illustrator, was such a great find as he loves the countryside and has a cheeky, down-to-earth style that matches Martin's personality. His drawings have really brought Martin's story to life. See alexcrumpillustration.com. 

I have also been helped by Wessex Print Centre in Pewsey, who have produced all my marketing materials.