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Reviews tagging 'Grief'
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
38 reviews
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation and Racism
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death, War, Grief, Religious bigotry, Animal death, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Sexism, Suicide, Vomit, Alcohol, Car accident, Cannibalism, Excrement, Abandonment, Child death, Animal cruelty, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Climate change, habitat destruction, pollution.susannaobrien's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
A beautiful meditation on the philosophy of reciprocity and power of gratitude. I enjoyed the interwoven details from the perspective of indigenous culture, academic science and personal history, and the way each has enhanced her commitment to protection and respect for the earth.
She writes poetically, which was often a joy, but sometimes felt like a slog. I really did find it too long, and sadly caught myself rushing through to finish the audiobook before my loan expire (Perhaps one to have a copy of and dip into). It definitely could have been edited as some chapters felt repetitive or dull. Or split into two, as I did appreciate the richness of the topics covered.
Overall, it exposed my to new ways of thinking and I know I'll be trying to take these ideas forward with me.
She writes poetically, which was often a joy, but sometimes felt like a slog. I really did find it too long, and sadly caught myself rushing through to finish the audiobook before my loan expire (Perhaps one to have a copy of and dip into). It definitely could have been edited as some chapters felt repetitive or dull. Or split into two, as I did appreciate the richness of the topics covered.
Overall, it exposed my to new ways of thinking and I know I'll be trying to take these ideas forward with me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Colonisation, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Addiction, Cultural appropriation, and Grief
nodogsonthemoon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Colonisation, Animal death, Grief, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Genocide
Minor: Child death, Cannibalism, Car accident, Hate crime, Suicide, and War
melancholymegs's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Animal death, Death, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Racism
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Suicide attempt and Excrement
kelly_e's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
Title: Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Author: Robin Wall Kimmerer
Genre: Non Fiction Environment
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: August 11, 2015
T H R E E • W O R D S
Wise • Meaningful • Absorbing
📖 S Y N O P S I S
In Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer asks questions about nature through the lens of science. Through Indigenous knowledge, she explores the reciprocal relationship between humans and the natural world and presents the historical context of plants and animals as our oldest teachers.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Every once in awhile a book comes along and changes you, for me Braiding Sweetgrass was that book. I absolutely loved it!
Not only is this book and its message important, but it opened up my mind to so much ancient knowledge of the indigenous people and extensive personal reflections is so many different ways. I was instantly captivated by Robin Wall Kimmerer's poetic prose and vivid imagery. Each chapter/essay felt powerful its own way. Combining her scientific background and honest approach to learning with the teachings of the land, there's a beauty unlike anything else with each new idea she brings to the table. It broadened my ecological consciousness, it opened up a world of possibility in honouring the land and seeing the natural world as the greatest teacher, and spark much reflection on my own reciprocal relationship with the world around me.
The only thing that stopped this being a five-star experience is that at times it got overly repetitive, which created a lull in the immersive journey. With that being said, this is a book meant to be savoured, absorbed, and put into practice. I highly recommend reading while listening along to enhance the experience even more.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• anyone who cares about our impact on the planet
• nature enthusiasts
• everyone!
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"People often ask me what one thing I would recommend to restore relationship between land and people. My answer is almost always, "Plant a garden." It's good for the health of the earth and it's good for the health of people. A garden is a nursery for nurturing connection, the soil for cultivation of practical reverence. And its power goes far beyond the garden gate - once you develop a relationship with a little patch of earth, it comes a seed itself.
Something essential happens in a vegetable garden. It's a place where if you can't say 'I love you' out loud, you can say it in seeds. And the land will reciprocate, in beans."
"Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond."
"'Weep! Weep!' calls a toad from the water's edge. And I do. If grief can be a doorway to love, then les us all weep for the world we are breaking apart so we can love it back to wholeness again."
Author: Robin Wall Kimmerer
Genre: Non Fiction Environment
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: August 11, 2015
T H R E E • W O R D S
Wise • Meaningful • Absorbing
📖 S Y N O P S I S
In Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer asks questions about nature through the lens of science. Through Indigenous knowledge, she explores the reciprocal relationship between humans and the natural world and presents the historical context of plants and animals as our oldest teachers.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Every once in awhile a book comes along and changes you, for me Braiding Sweetgrass was that book. I absolutely loved it!
Not only is this book and its message important, but it opened up my mind to so much ancient knowledge of the indigenous people and extensive personal reflections is so many different ways. I was instantly captivated by Robin Wall Kimmerer's poetic prose and vivid imagery. Each chapter/essay felt powerful its own way. Combining her scientific background and honest approach to learning with the teachings of the land, there's a beauty unlike anything else with each new idea she brings to the table. It broadened my ecological consciousness, it opened up a world of possibility in honouring the land and seeing the natural world as the greatest teacher, and spark much reflection on my own reciprocal relationship with the world around me.
The only thing that stopped this being a five-star experience is that at times it got overly repetitive, which created a lull in the immersive journey. With that being said, this is a book meant to be savoured, absorbed, and put into practice. I highly recommend reading while listening along to enhance the experience even more.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• anyone who cares about our impact on the planet
• nature enthusiasts
• everyone!
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"People often ask me what one thing I would recommend to restore relationship between land and people. My answer is almost always, "Plant a garden." It's good for the health of the earth and it's good for the health of people. A garden is a nursery for nurturing connection, the soil for cultivation of practical reverence. And its power goes far beyond the garden gate - once you develop a relationship with a little patch of earth, it comes a seed itself.
Something essential happens in a vegetable garden. It's a place where if you can't say 'I love you' out loud, you can say it in seeds. And the land will reciprocate, in beans."
"Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond."
"'Weep! Weep!' calls a toad from the water's edge. And I do. If grief can be a doorway to love, then les us all weep for the world we are breaking apart so we can love it back to wholeness again."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Grief, Death, Genocide, and Animal death
readandfindout's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
Style/writing: 3.5 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Perspective: 5 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Perspective: 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Racism, Grief, Genocide, Death, Forced institutionalization, Cannibalism, Animal death, Kidnapping, and Religious bigotry
jayisreading's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
It took a while to get through Braiding Sweetgrass. I just had too many thoughts running through my head while reading. Kimmerer draws attention to Indigenous knowledge and how it can coexist and complement science when we approach nature. Relatedly, she highlights the importance of gratitude and reciprocity in our relationship with the earth, that plants can be our teachers, as well as how intertwined everything is in nature.
I found myself thinking the most about reciprocity during the months I (very slowly) made my way through this book. I reflected a lot about how much listening and giving back I’ve been doing in particular. This also grew to a broader question of whether I understand reciprocation in the spaces I exist in. It’s tough, and I sometimes feel defeated, not knowing where to begin. And, considering this, I really appreciated how Kimmerer guides us through oral tradition and her experiences to teach us how to care for the land we call “home” and ways we can give back to the earth.
While I appreciated the book’s messages, it sometimes felt as though Kimmerer had on rose-tinted glasses. It’s possible I’m just a cynic (especially as of late), but I’m not sure if we (by which I mean us settlers) have a genuine grasp of gratitude, let alone reciprocity. It sometimes feels as though she assumes we have this starting point, when, in reality, we probably don’t. Do we actually know how to express thanks and give back to the earth in a way that’s just? Maybe in small ways (she suggests planting a garden, for example), but what about bigger matters such as land and sovereignty? What then?
It’s important that we remember to listen to the earth and have love and joy for it. Really, Kimmerer expresses this so beautifully and with such kindness. However, I feel that we also need to keep in mind there are complicated layers of settlers’ relationship with land and our positionality that won’t be as gentle in approach, and the hardest part of that is swallowing that pill. I guess it’s here that you’re sort of seeing my thoughts going in all directions, which is why this “review” is a bit jumbled, haha.
Overall, this was a wonderful book to read, and there’s a lot to reflect on. That being said, I do think it’s fair to say that it barely scratches the surface of what Indigenous people have been talking about when it comes to the relationship between humans and the land we live on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Death, Genocide, and Racism
Minor: Suicide attempt and Grief
krys_kilz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
I don't even have the words to describe this book. There's just so much that has stuck with me, so much incredible wisdom. Kimmerer is really able to tap into grief in her writing; I cried many times throughout the book. I loved her storytelling; it made the material much less dense and easier to understand.
The concept of restoration as an antidote to despair has really stayed with me. This book has given me a lot to contemplate and chew on.
The only thing I didn't like was the liberalism woven throughout this book. Things like "a nation of immigrants," addressing the climate crisis through reform, and the emphasis on individual choice really missed the mark for me. With that said, I think there is a lot of radical imagination in this book and it's worth the read.
The concept of restoration as an antidote to despair has really stayed with me. This book has given me a lot to contemplate and chew on.
The only thing I didn't like was the liberalism woven throughout this book. Things like "a nation of immigrants," addressing the climate crisis through reform, and the emphasis on individual choice really missed the mark for me. With that said, I think there is a lot of radical imagination in this book and it's worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide and Animal death
Moderate: Colonisation and Grief
rorikae's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
'Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants' is the perfect mix of nature writing, indigenous teachings, and thoughts on how we can live a gratitude and reciprocity based life. Robin Wall Kimmerer demonstrates her care for the natural world through her detailed and evocative explorations of nature as she ties personal stories and moments to larger understandings of the world and humanity's place with nature.
I honestly find this book a little bit hard to write about because it just needs to be read. I think everyone could benefit from reading this book and looking at the ways that they can bring these teachings into their daily lives.
I had so many takeaways and tabbed this book so that I could come back again and again to pieces that struck me. Three pieces that have stuck with me the most are one, looking to the gifts that nature has given to us and finding the ways that we can give thanks and live in reciprocity for those gifts. Second, that all flourishing is mutual. And third, that writing is one gift that humanity can give back to the world. As someone who feels a call to write, reading about how Kimmerer approaches writing was refreshing and inspiring.
This is one of my favorite books that I have read all year. It perfectly mixes heartfelt teachings with a realistic look at how we are treating the environment. I will be taking these teachings into my daily life and look forward to returning to this book again and again.
I honestly find this book a little bit hard to write about because it just needs to be read. I think everyone could benefit from reading this book and looking at the ways that they can bring these teachings into their daily lives.
I had so many takeaways and tabbed this book so that I could come back again and again to pieces that struck me. Three pieces that have stuck with me the most are one, looking to the gifts that nature has given to us and finding the ways that we can give thanks and live in reciprocity for those gifts. Second, that all flourishing is mutual. And third, that writing is one gift that humanity can give back to the world. As someone who feels a call to write, reading about how Kimmerer approaches writing was refreshing and inspiring.
This is one of my favorite books that I have read all year. It perfectly mixes heartfelt teachings with a realistic look at how we are treating the environment. I will be taking these teachings into my daily life and look forward to returning to this book again and again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Colonisation, Death, Genocide, Grief, and Violence
maddox22's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Colonisation, Confinement, Cultural appropriation, Death, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Grief, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Murder, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Violence, and War
Minor: Alcoholism and Animal cruelty