A man’s 111-day horseback journey across Europe inspired a new memoir about rediscovering life’s pace.
Louis D. Hall, 29, left London and rode from Siena, Italy, to Spain’s west coast with his horse Sasha.
His debut memoir, In Green, published by Duckworth Books, blends grief, healing, and folklore.
Hall said: “There was no noise, no distractions, no rush. Just the next step, the next path.”
During the trip, the first-time author faced snowstorms, wolves, and rugged mountain trails through the Ligurian Alps.
Midway through, a young woman ed the journey with her horse Istia, seeking solace after losing her sibling.
Together, they found companionship on remote paths and were ed by strangers who cared for their horses.
Hall said, “The world became home.
“And that was a very liberating, calming, secure feeling.”
After the journey ended, Hall experienced a sudden emotional crash.
He explained: “You have so much adrenaline, using all your senses every day to find shelter, sleep, keep the horses safe, avoid getting lost, all these things.”
Writing became a way to process and reframe the experience.
His diaries evolved into In Green, a lyrical memoir that at its core is a love story — a rediscovery of affection for one’s surroundings and the people within them.
Inspired by a Don Quixote-like mindset, the memoir explores spiritual themes including myths, folklore, and pilgrimage, connecting us to something larger than ourselves.
The trip was born from The Big Hoof charity, which raises funds for causes like Alzheimer’s research and refugee through long-distance horse rides.
Since its launch at Daunt Books, the memoir has sold over 15,000 copies.
In Green is more than a travel memoir — it’s a quiet call to rediscover pace, purpose, and the joy of the unknown.
Hall’s next book will explore why pilgrimage and escape resonate so strongly today.
In Green is available now from Duckworth Books and major retailers.
Photo credit: Kiki Ho.
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