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sydneypf's review against another edition
4.0
This memoir weaves together personal narrative, ecology, and indigenous stories that, in its quiet way, provides an antidote to the pains of the modern capitalist world view. Robin shows us that there is another way, a way of living in reciprocity with the land that is both abundant and healing.
gelert's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I really thought I'd give this book 5*.
So much of it thrums with life using personal anecdotes and botanical knowledge to paint vivid pictures of times and places. The stories of strawberry and maple are to me the best part of this book.
Unfortunately in the last section - burning sweetgrass - the reading becomes a chore. While it was interesting to learn about the plight of Lake Onondaga I found the windigo metaphor fell very flat.
I am grateful to Robin Wall Kimmmerer for sharing her perspective and it is what suffuses the rest of the book with wonder. But when she turns to beat the drum of dread I can't help but feel like screaming about the wonder our modern world is capable of and the sheer enormity of our potential. The myth of degrowth is immensely harmful.
It is easy to wax poetic about a lost idyll and lament pollution but the miracle of the green revolution was feeding a population that has now surpassed 8 billion. Fewer and fewer people know the fear or a hunger moon. That hunger moon will become a distant dream. I reject an eden in which people can starve.
Still I am very glad to have read this book even if it fell short at the end it ran a good race.
So much of it thrums with life using personal anecdotes and botanical knowledge to paint vivid pictures of times and places. The stories of strawberry and maple are to me the best part of this book.
Unfortunately in the last section - burning sweetgrass - the reading becomes a chore. While it was interesting to learn about the plight of Lake Onondaga I found the windigo metaphor fell very flat.
I am grateful to Robin Wall Kimmmerer for sharing her perspective and it is what suffuses the rest of the book with wonder. But when she turns to beat the drum of dread I can't help but feel like screaming about the wonder our modern world is capable of and the sheer enormity of our potential. The myth of degrowth is immensely harmful.
It is easy to wax poetic about a lost idyll and lament pollution but the miracle of the green revolution was feeding a population that has now surpassed 8 billion. Fewer and fewer people know the fear or a hunger moon. That hunger moon will become a distant dream. I reject an eden in which people can starve.
Still I am very glad to have read this book even if it fell short at the end it ran a good race.
mtstellens's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book. I got lucky enough to be reading this in a book club with some of the smartest and most insightful people I know. I loved talking about all of the ideas brought up in all of these essays. I will treasure my annotated copy forever. This is my first reread and it is really interesting to see how I have integrated these ideas into my daily life and philosophy.
I really loved the essays around motherhood, I think it gave me a different perspective and a way of thinking about motherhood that isn’t rooted in racism and patriarchy, it was really valuable to me. I also just loved the ways of thinking about nature and reciprocity, how we can interact with nature in a positive way; not having to remove ourselves from the land. Just such a good book.
I really loved the essays around motherhood, I think it gave me a different perspective and a way of thinking about motherhood that isn’t rooted in racism and patriarchy, it was really valuable to me. I also just loved the ways of thinking about nature and reciprocity, how we can interact with nature in a positive way; not having to remove ourselves from the land. Just such a good book.
claraeileen99's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
5.0
livvi29's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
I'm challenging myself to explore more genres of non-fiction, and this was my first time reading a book that focused on nature. I found the writing to be particularly poetic, with descriptions of nature that almost rival its beauty. This book really has deepened my appreciation for the earth and makes me want to treat it with greater care.
However, I found the book a bit too long and somewhat repetitive, which caused the last 25% to drag. Additionally, Kimmerer occasionally came across as a bit preachy, likely due to her background as a professor rather than an intentional tone.
While I understand why many would rate this book five stars, especially those passionate about nature, it didn't quite reach that level for me. Nonetheless, I'm glad I read it.
samithelearned's review against another edition
5.0
A really lovely book with a really great perspective on how we should be treating the earth. I think environmental lawyers, engineers, and anyone that holds themselves out as a steward of the earth should read this book and attempt to take in its teachings. We are just as much a part of the system. And I'll say this really points out the myth of the untouched wilderness a lot of people are pushing. All of the wilderness has been touched but we should should strive to keep it untrampled.
4.5 stars rounded up because my attention span is 0
4.5 stars rounded up because my attention span is 0
pineapple_morgan's review against another edition
5.0
One of my personal top five books of all time, this book has some of the most beautiful prose you will ever read - and absolutely the most beautiful pose you'll find in a nonfiction book. Full of memories and stories about the various ways plants can teach us and the encroaching threat of climate change, Dr. Kimmerer sucks you into various wonderful ecosystems around the world; I could feel the humid breath of the rain forest, the flow and breeze of a sweetgrass meadow, the rich smell of earth and humus. The gift this book has given me is one that I endeavor to provide to others. Absolutely a must-read; you won't regret it.
zamreads's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Love the themes around Indigenizing Western scientific knowledge and investing in reciprocal relationship with nature. Also love the first several and last several chapters in particular (the ones on pecans, strawberries, cedars, and windigos are coming to mind as I write right now). Someone suggested reading in bits like as an essay collection when I got to a bit of a lull (for me) for around the third quarter of it as some messages get echoed a few times and that was a helpful reframe.
Funny how many folks (including me!) get wrapped up in the beginning so much so that we rec it widely, enter a lull in the middle that slows or stops the reading, then return later for a strong finish. Early and end bits felt five star worthy for me, so leaning into those parts.
Funny how many folks (including me!) get wrapped up in the beginning so much so that we rec it widely, enter a lull in the middle that slows or stops the reading, then return later for a strong finish. Early and end bits felt five star worthy for me, so leaning into those parts.