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savvylit's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
3.5
I enjoyed this introspective book. Regan's childhood on the farm and her adult decision to leave the hustle & bustle of Chicago's culinary scene was all so distinctive and compelling. The artfulness and care that she puts into her food preparation shone through on nearly every page. I could almost literally see the abundance of forageable flora in the Hiawatha National Forest as I read Fieldwork.
Ultimately, though, I think this memoir would have been better as an essay collection. Something was missing within the structure and the narrative eventually became overly drawn out. I think with polishing and the natural pauses of essay formatting, Fieldwork would have been a much more powerful memoir.
Ultimately, though, I think this memoir would have been better as an essay collection. Something was missing within the structure and the narrative eventually became overly drawn out. I think with polishing and the natural pauses of essay formatting, Fieldwork would have been a much more powerful memoir.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Rape
mirandaleighhhh's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
I listened to the audiobook and it dragged...in part because although Ilana has a relaxing, quiet voice, it wasn't very engaging for a 9+ hour audiobook. I very much judged this book by its cover, and it wasn't what I expected. Ilana has clearly had some traumatic life experiences (it's her memoir, so of course it's hers to share!) but I had selected it more in hopes that it would be more forest-centered, not realizing.
Initially, I had qualms about European settlers being mentioned more than indigenous people, especially given the land that the Milkweed Inn is on. Still, she does mention them both within the book and in the acknowledgments.
It's clear that she deeply appreciates nature and food and there were some really beautiful passages. I hope that she is able to have the family she desires.
Overall, this just wasn't for me.
Initially, I had qualms about European settlers being mentioned more than indigenous people, especially given the land that the Milkweed Inn is on. Still, she does mention them both within the book and in the acknowledgments.
It's clear that she deeply appreciates nature and food and there were some really beautiful passages. I hope that she is able to have the family she desires.
Overall, this just wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, and Emotional abuse
hannahpings's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Grief, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Infertility, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Pandemic/Epidemic
aisabel's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
magsbord's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Miscarriage
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