Visions of Wilderness: An Outcast's Odyssey
Can Dartmoor save him?
What do you do if your life falls apart? This first novel charts the traumatic effects that a car crash and resulting brain damage inflict on the protagonist. His changes in behaviour lead to a marriage breakdown and loss of both home and family, all compounded by a best friend’s betrayal.
This shattered outcast now heads for Dartmoor and the comfort of childhood haunts once shared with his beloved grandad Bardy, but the guilt of past actions haunts him.
Join him in a wilderness journey like no other as he battles his demons, seeks solace from passers-by and wrestles with strange visions which tantalise him with the promise of a life beyond. Will he meet with redemption … or retribution?
This writing journey began when Laurence’s wife dreamt that he walked from South to North Devon. He had to respond. The walk took him across Dartmoor and some bizarre encounters led him to participate in a community theatre play called ‘The Funeral Game’. The raffle prize he won at the end of it turned out to be a rather special notebook. That was how this first-time novelist was born!
It took over 10 years of extensive research, much wild camping, some squatting and many entertaining diversions at Tavistock’s Goosey Fair to bring the novel to fruition. Along with the lighter interludes, he wanted the story to shed light on the dilemmas and handicaps those face who have to live with the consequences of brain damage.
Laurence was delighted to launch ‘Visions of Wilderness’ at The Ivybridge Bookshop in February 2023 as you can see from these photos.
Appreciation
'I found your novel most impressive in its detail, in its sense of place, evocation of the characters along the way and particularly appreciated the early rather fragmented prose reflecting the disjointed mind of your protagonist.
It was most interesting and increasingly enjoyable as the main character's journey unfolded. A fantastic achievement!' Carol, Swanage, Dorset.
You can watch him reading an extract from the book here. It explains how a scarf came to play such a prominent part in the novel, later adopted by the protagonist as his nickname!
A fuller account of the real-life background to the novel is set out in this article for Tavy Links magazine, October/November 2025 issue. Click image for easier-to-read pdf version:
It was a privilege to be selected as Author of the Month at the Red Cross Bookshop, Plympton and help support such a worthy cause.
Copies of the novel and his other books are also available at Westcountry Books, Newton Abbot and Artworks at South Brent or can be ordered direct, postage free, here.
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