A Journey Beneath the Surface is a captivating memoir by Olivia Laing that blends personal reflection with a deep exploration of history, culture, and nature. The book follows Laing’s journey along the River Ouse, the same river where Virginia Woolf tragically ended her life. As Laing walks its length—from the river's source in the hills of West Sussex to its mouth at the North Sea—she weaves together a rich tapestry of stories, myths, and literary references.