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wolfbridge's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Useful for rethinking how to use concrete sensory details in your own writing.
jess_mango's review against another edition
2.0
A Natural History of the Senses was this month's selection for one of my book clubs. I felt as if I was trudging through this book. There are way too many metaphors and wandering anecdotes. There were some interesting bits of information scattered throughout, but I could have done without all the flowery text.
ehmannky's review against another edition
I guess I would have been able to soldier through this but it felt like every 10 pages or so Ackerman would say something that was like borderline ableist or just wild? Like she talks about Helen Keller being “more alive” because of her disability (rather than, you know, just someone who experienced the world differently) and then she is like “oh bestiality was common among shepherds in some of those regions” when discussing the sense of smell and supports this wildly racist statement with vibes 😩
_m_sarai's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic! Such a beautiful mix of poetic insights and interesting scientific facts! It's goal seems to be to open the eyes of the reader to all of the wonder and fascination to be found in the world most people take for granted. In my opinion, it succeeds. I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone as it presents such a joyful combination of unique perspective and understanding. READ IT!
sarahanne8382's review against another edition
4.0
Exquisite, but I was in too much of a hurry while reading it to properly enjoy it.
kefleck's review against another edition
I really did give it another try, but this isn’t for me. Life is too short! Going to donate this and k bet someone at the little free library will be delighted ❤️
ericfheiman's review against another edition
3.0
Exhilarating, educational, and exhausting. Basically a comprehensive history of the senses told by a lyrical romantic poet. Some rich stuff here, but its rapid, free-association unspooling of so much knowledge is overwhelming at times. Best in small doses (and probably why it took me over a year to read it).
tricebrown's review against another edition
4.0
A nice read. Makes you appreciate the basic parts of the human experience.