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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I didn't think I'd actually enjoy a book of essays as much as I did. Some wonderful reads in here.
Maybe life doesn’t get any better than this, or any worse, and what we get is just what we’re willing to find: small wonders, where they grow.
This book is both very of its time - late 90s, early 2000s - and timeless. It was honestly interesting to read her responses to the cultural and political moments of the day - reflecting on 9/11, the Gulf War, Al Gore, the rise of technology, etc. knowing everything we do now. On the other hand, Kingsolver is such a good writer that most of the essays came off as timeless, with universal truths that apply just as much today as they did 20+ years ago. She really excels at nature writing, but her essays with political/cultural reflections are very poignant and biting.
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
My favourite book of all time. One I come back to again and again.
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
If you haven’t yet decided to try out Barbara Kingsolver, then don’t read Small Wonder right away. I’d suggest you first read at least 1 or 2 of her works of fiction until you have grown to admire and respect her as a writer with amazing insights. Because Small Wonder is a set of nonfiction, narrative essays that will challenge your world perspectives. Sometimes in a bad way. But DO ultimately read Small Wonder. It will change you. With each essay, though, I’d caution that you ask yourself if she is presenting a balanced view of the issues, or is it one-sided? And some of those essays, speaking as a father, I’d say you will definitely one day want to present to your young daughters.
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
An essay collection written just after 9/11, published in 2002, and the themes are really strong. The author does get a bit self righteous and I wondered how she would revisit the same topics - does she still not allow TV, she has a whole book about eating, does she look back at these with a bit of criticism to her younger idealistic self or still hold true to these beliefs.
There is some mixed message about faith and god and science, it does get a little preachy. There is mention of r*pe in the Letter to My Mother. It’s a mix of personal and patriotic and an address to her patriotism used against her by the angry mobs.
There is some mixed message about faith and god and science, it does get a little preachy. There is mention of r*pe in the Letter to My Mother. It’s a mix of personal and patriotic and an address to her patriotism used against her by the angry mobs.
inspiring
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced