When Jade’s partner leaves the barn that they moved into just weeks before, he leaves a dent in the wall and her life unravels. Numbed from years of experiencing the destructive relationship, she faces an uncertain future and complete solitude. Slowly, with help of Devon’s salted cliffs and damp forested footpaths, Jade comes back to life and discovers the power of being alone.

Through conversations with other hermits across the world, Fitton sheds light on an extraordinary and misunderstood way of living which has survived into the 21st century – from monks, to hikkimori, and the often ignored female hermit. Lyrically written, this is an inspirational story of recovery, of finding home and of celebration of solitude in the natural world. ‘Hermit’ is published on 18 May.

Jade Angeles Fitton is a writer, journalist and award-winning producer. Her work has appeared in likes of the Guardian, Independent, Vogue, Times Literary Supplement, New Statesman, Literary Review and the BBC. Her poetry has been published in a number of magazines including The Moth.

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