Little Toller republishes Neil Ansell’s nature memoir a decade on

Little Toller will publish a paperback edition of Neil Ansell’s memoir Deer Island, which it first published more than a decade ago. 

Jon Woolcott acquired world rights from Jessica Woollard who was then at the Marsh Agency, now at David Higham. The editor Is Adrian Cooper and the book will be published on 27th February 2024.

The book tells of how, at the beginning of the 1980s, Ansell lived in a series of squats and derelict buildings across London. Little Toller said he "became part of a floating community of rough sleepers and volunteers, who found purpose in providing companionship and support for one another". 

The publisher added: "Britain was changing – this was the decade of the individual and soon we would be told that ‘there was no such thing as society’. In this new world, Ansell’s sense of self began to disintegrate, and as he began to lose friends, some dying, some simply vanishing, he no longer felt safe. 

"To escape, he journeyed to the west coast of Scotland, finally ending up on the isle of Jura, where he began to piece himself together." 

Commenting on the publication, Gracie Cooper, co-owner of Little Toller, said: "It’s remarkable that more than 10 years have passed since the first edition of Deer Island. But what really stood out was that the book now feels more current than it did even in 2013, and that the themes explored so beautifully by Neil have also been examined by books like Amy Liptrot’s brilliant book, The Outrun. 

"We’re looking forward to introducing Deer Island to readers again. We’re expecting great things, including a tour of Scottish bookshops."