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shivani_maurya's review against another edition
3.0
Let me just say this, the first essay is a masterpiece in my opinion and an apt introduction to any collection of essays. It talks eloquently of what it means to write an essay. With the current trends in criticism and the inherent dilemma that critics face under the barrage of intolerant jibes on social media, it has become difficult to continue this form of literature. Franzen talks of his motivations behind writing essays and it's frankly an eye-opener of sorts. Essays as means of mirroring the intent of the author, become his tool to address the theme of the book: climate change and its affect on birds. Pick this up, if only for the first essay.
The rest, although overwhelmingly leaning on his love for birds, provide accounts of his life and seek answers to big questions. What does it mean to combat climate change? Is this not-so-distant reality solely to blame for species extinction occurring in the present? Is there something to be done in the present? Will that be enough? Or have we already doomed ourselves?
Franzen takes issue with the tag of "climate change" that is now getting slapped as plausible cause for every calamity in the present times. And while climate change is indeed an undergoing process causing natural disasters and biodiversity loss, humans are turning a blind eye to the practices that are abetting the event. Birds are his underlying concern, but he does veer off now and then to explore his share of pathos in life. His diffused enthusiasm for bird-listing (in the face of declining bird population worldwide) alternates with his helplessness and frustration as the world shirks the responsibility to mobilize any conservation efforts in the present. The percentage statistics that the scientific community doles out (of projected species loss, acidification of oceans, rise in global temperatures) and vehemently stresses now evoke jaded responses. And humanity is all but giving up on changing the course of Earth's future. The environmental agencies and technology enthusiasts are shifting goal posts to achieve some miraculous future utopia. Any action big or small in the present meets with skepticism as to its effectiveness in the long run. And as we quibble over the statistics with no concrete action, the Earth is spiraling towards an inhospitable future.
Franzen, accepting the exclusivity of the human species, lays the responsibility of environmental action on our shoulders. He doesn't come out and say it in so many words. That isn't his style. What he does instead, is question his own beliefs and effectiveness of individual action. He provides examples of local conservation efforts and details the worldwide exploitation of biodiversity. He laments the hypocrisy inherent in several conservation campaigns. He is just as flummoxed as the rest of us when faced with questions on climate change. But he isn't implying that one throw up his/her hands and leave the fate of the Earth to the science people. He feels driven to do as much as he possibly can, even as he struggles with the possibility of failure and futility. After all, something is better than nothing.
This collection of essays feels personal. Franzen makes it easy for the reader to identify with his struggles. Empathy strikes a recurring note from topic to topic. Top it with his insights and I am willing to recommend this to one and all. :)
The rest, although overwhelmingly leaning on his love for birds, provide accounts of his life and seek answers to big questions. What does it mean to combat climate change? Is this not-so-distant reality solely to blame for species extinction occurring in the present? Is there something to be done in the present? Will that be enough? Or have we already doomed ourselves?
Franzen takes issue with the tag of "climate change" that is now getting slapped as plausible cause for every calamity in the present times. And while climate change is indeed an undergoing process causing natural disasters and biodiversity loss, humans are turning a blind eye to the practices that are abetting the event. Birds are his underlying concern, but he does veer off now and then to explore his share of pathos in life. His diffused enthusiasm for bird-listing (in the face of declining bird population worldwide) alternates with his helplessness and frustration as the world shirks the responsibility to mobilize any conservation efforts in the present. The percentage statistics that the scientific community doles out (of projected species loss, acidification of oceans, rise in global temperatures) and vehemently stresses now evoke jaded responses. And humanity is all but giving up on changing the course of Earth's future. The environmental agencies and technology enthusiasts are shifting goal posts to achieve some miraculous future utopia. Any action big or small in the present meets with skepticism as to its effectiveness in the long run. And as we quibble over the statistics with no concrete action, the Earth is spiraling towards an inhospitable future.
Franzen, accepting the exclusivity of the human species, lays the responsibility of environmental action on our shoulders. He doesn't come out and say it in so many words. That isn't his style. What he does instead, is question his own beliefs and effectiveness of individual action. He provides examples of local conservation efforts and details the worldwide exploitation of biodiversity. He laments the hypocrisy inherent in several conservation campaigns. He is just as flummoxed as the rest of us when faced with questions on climate change. But he isn't implying that one throw up his/her hands and leave the fate of the Earth to the science people. He feels driven to do as much as he possibly can, even as he struggles with the possibility of failure and futility. After all, something is better than nothing.
This collection of essays feels personal. Franzen makes it easy for the reader to identify with his struggles. Empathy strikes a recurring note from topic to topic. Top it with his insights and I am willing to recommend this to one and all. :)
kimberlybeitz's review against another edition
3.0
I love Franzen's voice, and I do enjoy his essay work, however, I found myself having to skip through or fast skim the essays with so much birding. I understand his personal passions, and writing what you care about, but after previously reading so many previous bird essays in his other books, I had a hard time getting through so much MORE of it. I feel as a non-birder, I hit a limit on how much of it I can enjoy reading after the first 1 or 2 bird essays. However, I did thoroughly enjoy all other essays in the book, and I do have an appreciation for how it is all interwoven to create the aesthetic and overarching thread of the general collection, especially when we come to the final essay. If I was able to separate my rating on this book into bird essays and non-bird essays, it would be a 2 for anything bird-related, and a 4 for all other (with the understanding that the bird essays are well-written, but not a topic I can personally appreciate fully past the understanding that they are interesting creatures that he enjoys far more than I possibly can). In the spirit of his messaging, I'll leave the birding to him, and focus my efforts on the parts of our world that bring me joy and that I can work to preserve.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
A great book by a great writer. This book is engaging, interesting, and a lot of food for thought.
A simple review is not enough as each part would require a long blog post.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK, 4th Estate, William Collins and Netgalley for this ARC
A simple review is not enough as each part would require a long blog post.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK, 4th Estate, William Collins and Netgalley for this ARC
keithfarrell's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes it is more enjoyable to read an author's essays than their literary fiction. In the former case, you don't really need to think about what the author is trying to convey; they just tell you.
Jonathan Franzen is the prototypical ostentatious and literary white male. And while that's generated a certain amount of backlash for him over the years -- sometimes deservedly so -- there is always enough humanity in his writing that keeps me coming back. I enjoy reading Franzen because I enjoy wrestling with an annoying, opinionated person who is often more right than wrong, but is also sometimes very wrong. I also can't help but relate to his most obsessive tendencies -- like keeping lists. I'm not a birder (and this collection is 80% about being the type of birder who keeps lists), but this collection did make birding seem enjoyable enough that maybe, one day, I'll take it up.
Jonathan Franzen is the prototypical ostentatious and literary white male. And while that's generated a certain amount of backlash for him over the years -- sometimes deservedly so -- there is always enough humanity in his writing that keeps me coming back. I enjoy reading Franzen because I enjoy wrestling with an annoying, opinionated person who is often more right than wrong, but is also sometimes very wrong. I also can't help but relate to his most obsessive tendencies -- like keeping lists. I'm not a birder (and this collection is 80% about being the type of birder who keeps lists), but this collection did make birding seem enjoyable enough that maybe, one day, I'll take it up.
nikkivrc's review against another edition
2.0
1) So. Many. Bird essays.
2) The fact that one of the essays argues for less attention and fewer funds for combating climate change, while Franzen takes planes in nearly every essay, is disgusting. He visits all these far-flung places and by his very presence contributes to their destruction. His probable self-awareness in this matter does not make any difference.
2) The fact that one of the essays argues for less attention and fewer funds for combating climate change, while Franzen takes planes in nearly every essay, is disgusting. He visits all these far-flung places and by his very presence contributes to their destruction. His probable self-awareness in this matter does not make any difference.
brookemorgan's review against another edition
1.0
Fair warning, this book is 95% about birds. So if you’re down for a bird bio, go for it. The remaining 5% is just pompous privilege manifesting itself in sexism. (I am glad I only paid $6 for it, thank u Rosie).