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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
The epitome of Barbara’s thoughtful reflections on us as individuals, community, and humanity. She brings to light the reasons we ought to hope and toss cynicism to the side. Nonetheless she addresses the multitude of difficult realities that we were living with at the time of publishing and still today. There is inspiration for action if we take the time to watch the “small wonders” in our days.
Overconsumption/capitalism is a primary theme and it comes down to the fact that we, as an intelligent species, know what we must do yet seem so brokenhearted when it comes to abandoning our things. It is possible. I sit here on the bus not longing for a car but rather being grateful for the moments in my day when I can sit and read between my work and school. I never find myself wishing I could eat red meat, I’m learning how to be in accord with the seasons and wait my turn for good quality berries. All these things are possible, not too far out of reach.
Overconsumption/capitalism is a primary theme and it comes down to the fact that we, as an intelligent species, know what we must do yet seem so brokenhearted when it comes to abandoning our things. It is possible. I sit here on the bus not longing for a car but rather being grateful for the moments in my day when I can sit and read between my work and school. I never find myself wishing I could eat red meat, I’m learning how to be in accord with the seasons and wait my turn for good quality berries. All these things are possible, not too far out of reach.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
A collection of essays prompted by 9/11, but not all dealing with it directly. I had mixed feelings about this; I love the lyricism of Kingsolver's writing, and I think her political views are fairly close to mine, but I think her perspective is more US-centric than she realises, with a rather skewed view of Islamic cultures.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Islamophobia
Eh. I had enjoyed Kingsolver's prior work, but this one left me feeling indifferent and sometimes cold. Perhaps if I had read this upon its release, I would have found it to be a bit more inspiring and innovative? I just feel other thinkers have been writing this sort of material with much greater clarity and insight. Some essays are better than others, but this collection didn't speak very soundly to me, and at times, I felt there was a lack of deeper introspection needed for such crucial topics.
This was a great little book. I am a Kingsolver fan and have read several of her books this year and last year. This one is non-fiction and full of stories that actually overlap a bit from her "Animal, Vegatable Miracle" that I read late last year (it was excellent). Kingsolver is a gifted writer. She is bright and thoughtful with just a touch of funny. She seems like someone I would love to hang out with. Her kids had a pretty amazin childhood growing up learning to live off the land during the summer - very inspiring. Check this one out.
there is something about kingsolvers hope that was hard for me to relate to now, years after this book was written. i wish i could borrow some of her hope and a little of her grace. she hits her stride writing about nature, but some of her essays about family and responsibility felt a little … i hate to say it but… preachy? i guess this was written shortly after 9/11 and as someone who doesn’t remember the towers crashing and who has grown up largely in a post-towers world i had a hard time catching the feelings she was articulating at times. she is still a spectacular author. i’m excited to read more of her nature essays and hope they are a little less didactic
A delicious platter of food for thought packaged in 23 essays by my favorite author - the best way to end 2024! While I love Ms. Kingsolver's fiction her essay collections/short stories hold a special place in my heart. A social justice call to action I feel especially pulled to put into play in this new year and a collection I highly recommend to all!
Ok, I really really liked the first story in this book that revolves around the saving of a human toddler by a mama black bear that is supposedly true. It made me weep. And, as much as I HATE to give B. Kingsolver anything less than a 4, I have to say the rest of these stories were pretty much rambling. I don't even remember what most of them were about.
I didn't finish this short anthology, and may or may not do so in the future. There are an awful lot of AWESOME books I'm ready to dig my teeth into this summer...so, we'll see. This book too was doomed to be left unfinished by a pesky library due date, and I'll be damned if a $0.10 library fine (and all the red tape one has to go thru to pay it) is going to keep me from graduating next year!!! ;)
I didn't finish this short anthology, and may or may not do so in the future. There are an awful lot of AWESOME books I'm ready to dig my teeth into this summer...so, we'll see. This book too was doomed to be left unfinished by a pesky library due date, and I'll be damned if a $0.10 library fine (and all the red tape one has to go thru to pay it) is going to keep me from graduating next year!!! ;)