Reviews for Diary of a Young Naturalist, by Dara McAnulty
lenin_lover_69's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Dara's writing is so beautiful and effortless, it is incredible to keep remembering he is only 14. It is remarkable in its mission to prompt reflection on how we engage and interact with the natural world and a timely reminder of the joy and rewards in slowing down to take it all in.
It (naturally) reminded me of a Robert McFarlane book though and I think carried the same niggling feeling of a creeping 'eco-fash' world view where 'humans as the virus' rather than rampant capitalism. But it feels unfair to ask that of Dara who is so young, and already has such a deep and nuanced understanding of the environment and natural world, and I feel at the end he experienced some of the salve a shared community and anger amongst other activists cam provide when you start to sink into the abyss of feeling like the world is doomed and everyone is awful. I feel like his punk roots (and amazing supportive family) will continue to push him in the right direction, and will be looking to read as much of him as I can in the meantime.
It (naturally) reminded me of a Robert McFarlane book though and I think carried the same niggling feeling of a creeping 'eco-fash' world view where 'humans as the virus' rather than rampant capitalism. But it feels unfair to ask that of Dara who is so young, and already has such a deep and nuanced understanding of the environment and natural world, and I feel at the end he experienced some of the salve a shared community and anger amongst other activists cam provide when you start to sink into the abyss of feeling like the world is doomed and everyone is awful. I feel like his punk roots (and amazing supportive family) will continue to push him in the right direction, and will be looking to read as much of him as I can in the meantime.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
rebeccahlm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
thisliteraryqueendom's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Bullying
manorclassics's review against another edition
5.0
"The chick inside looks like an autumn forest rolled in the first snows of winter." - Dara McAnulty on a Goshawk chick
It's hard to put into words how I felt reading this. It's completely immersive. Dara's writing is beautiful, a kind of poetical prose, so descriptive and imaginative but always sincere. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of nature and how it made him feel.
Dara's experiences in school and other places, where he was mocked and bullied for being autistic, were at times heartbreaking. I was rooting for him all the time and it was lovely watching as he found himself. Reading his diary helped me to slow down and really look at the things I was observing out of my window and in the garden, something that I've tried to carry on doing since I finished the book.
One of my favourite reads of 2020 and one I recommend to everyone.
It's hard to put into words how I felt reading this. It's completely immersive. Dara's writing is beautiful, a kind of poetical prose, so descriptive and imaginative but always sincere. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of nature and how it made him feel.
Dara's experiences in school and other places, where he was mocked and bullied for being autistic, were at times heartbreaking. I was rooting for him all the time and it was lovely watching as he found himself. Reading his diary helped me to slow down and really look at the things I was observing out of my window and in the garden, something that I've tried to carry on doing since I finished the book.
One of my favourite reads of 2020 and one I recommend to everyone.
hbom's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
Incredibly captivating writing. It has completely changed the way I interact with the natural world and I see this as something I'll come back to again and again.