Shadowlands by historian Matthew Green is a non-fiction exploration of vanished communities, abandoned homesteads, lost cities and drowned villages. Told in chronological order it covers a handful of topics and offers a fascinating look at areas of Britain that are now either abandoned or lost to the sea. Green is a superb writer, and manages to deftly balance the facts and background of each subject with his own achingly haunting prose as he details his own personal journey to each location. There are eight main chapters – covering Skara Brae in the Orkneys, the lost city of Trellech in Monmouthshire, Winchelsea, Wharram Percy, Dunwich (which was claimed by the sea), the island community of St Kilda, the eerie outposts of Norfolk that were utilised by the military, and the village of Capel Celyn, drowned to make way for a reservoir.

There’s so much more going on here. The book is littered with snippets of trivia and facts that even those not seemingly interested in history won’t help but find captivating. Brilliantly researched, this feels like a labour of love to the author. Green wonderfully manages to capture the imagination, his prose bringing to life the finest detail of each location. You can feel what it must have been like to life during these times. I knew very little about the subject beforehand, but I feel like my knowledge of British history and geography has been hugely enhanced by reading this.

There are illustrations scattered throughout, which help the reader visualise that which is now gone. The book is haunting, beautiful and sad, reminding us that the passage of time has casualties, some caused by nature, some of our own making. I thoroughly enjoyed this and have no hesitation in recommending it.