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laurenjpegler's review against another edition
3.0
Between a 2.5 to 3 stars.
It is more and more important today that we engage with nature physically, intellectually and emotionally, rather than allow ourselves to disconnect; that we witness rather than turn away, and celebrate rather than neglect.
Unfortunately this wasn't my favourite of the collection. I really enjoyed Autumn and Winter (probably because they're my favourite seasons, and the things discussed in those collections I could understand and appreciat), but Spring was a little boring. It mainly spoke of birds, instead of the vegetation and new born animals that are so common in spring. I honestly don't care for birds, and the constant entries not only got repetitive but also very boring. I wanted some variety.
However, there were a few inclusions that I really liked. I have now found some new authors to read, which I always appreciate. There was also a lovely collection of classic writers (Shakespeare, Bronte, and so on) which was nice to revisit. I love seeing their take on spring, especially considering they were centuries away (there was from written in Old English, which was very unusual).
I just hate the amount of modern and contemporary authors included, because they always seem to write the same way about the same things. It's always about them wandering, spotting this bird or that, and then them contemplating and reflecting on what this specific bird means to a British spring. It was just a little repetitive after the fourth-or-so time. Nevertheless, the reason behind these anthologies are really wonderful, and I would encourage you to purchase and give them a read (just maybe buy your favourite season).
I would like to end on this lovely quote from Vijay Medtia (2016): Nature can pass people by their whole life; they remain stuck in the concrete jungles and stresses of the modern city. Well, I wasn't going to be one of those people any more.
It is more and more important today that we engage with nature physically, intellectually and emotionally, rather than allow ourselves to disconnect; that we witness rather than turn away, and celebrate rather than neglect.
Unfortunately this wasn't my favourite of the collection. I really enjoyed Autumn and Winter (probably because they're my favourite seasons, and the things discussed in those collections I could understand and appreciat), but Spring was a little boring. It mainly spoke of birds, instead of the vegetation and new born animals that are so common in spring. I honestly don't care for birds, and the constant entries not only got repetitive but also very boring. I wanted some variety.
However, there were a few inclusions that I really liked. I have now found some new authors to read, which I always appreciate. There was also a lovely collection of classic writers (Shakespeare, Bronte, and so on) which was nice to revisit. I love seeing their take on spring, especially considering they were centuries away (there was from written in Old English, which was very unusual).
I just hate the amount of modern and contemporary authors included, because they always seem to write the same way about the same things. It's always about them wandering, spotting this bird or that, and then them contemplating and reflecting on what this specific bird means to a British spring. It was just a little repetitive after the fourth-or-so time. Nevertheless, the reason behind these anthologies are really wonderful, and I would encourage you to purchase and give them a read (just maybe buy your favourite season).
I would like to end on this lovely quote from Vijay Medtia (2016): Nature can pass people by their whole life; they remain stuck in the concrete jungles and stresses of the modern city. Well, I wasn't going to be one of those people any more.
blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good. Some of the passages were absolutely wonderful - the excerpt from "The Wind in the Willows", for example - and others were well-meaning but tedious garden rhapsodies. Spring is now Summer, and I didn't quite finish the book. Marking it as read, and will return to finish up and then re-read the good bits next Spring.
UPDATE: I finished this book the following Spring, as intended, and my previous impression still holds true.
UPDATE: I finished this book the following Spring, as intended, and my previous impression still holds true.
crinolinelaphroaig's review against another edition
inspiring
slow-paced
5.0
It was sad to Fanny to lose all the pleasures of spring. She had not known before what pleasures she had to lose in passing March and April in a town. She had not known before, how much the beginnings and progress of vegetation had delighted her." - Mansfield Park
I was already delighted by this book and then there was a Jane Austen quote which made me love it even more.
I was already delighted by this book and then there was a Jane Austen quote which made me love it even more.
mimsickle's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
3.25
helenar's review
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
4.5
This is a lovely anthology of spring writings both old and more recent. Reading digitally I did not realise there were short author biographies at the back of the book which I wish had been an introduction to each piece. Still a comforting read as in February and early March in the UK winter is currently seeming to last forever.
piperbunny's review against another edition
I've decided, Spring is my favourite season.... but I don't like reading about it...! :)
bekkabergamot's review against another edition
4.0
The second work featured in this collection is "Some Thoughts on the Common Toad," in which George Orwell argues that marvelling in Spring and nature is a personal and political decision. He argues that capitalism and politicians do not want individuals to be amazed and delighted by anything free, such as the greenery of this time of year, the mating habits of toads (as you will), or even the vivid blue sky. I really enjoyed that passage and felt that it carried with me as I continued to read the other nature pieces. It is important to note that these excerpts all do revolve around nature and the season of Spring. In some ways that caused them to have many overlapping themes of flora and fauna. A few times, I felt that one author had already better described a very similar topic, but overall I feel that this book did an excellent job of conveying the wonder that is Spring. I look forward to reading the other seasonal anthologies edited by Melissa Harrison that support the UK Wildlife Trusts. These books: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter include gorgeous cover work and would make beautiful gifts for any nature lover.
bibliophilexthea's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this!
Now I always find it hard to rate anthologies and such like. I feel like its inevitable that there will be some work that I enjoy and some that I do not.
I really like the fact this collection contained a few classics writers (Austen, Shakespeare, Bronte, Hardy etc). These ones were actually my favourite of them all, as well as an excerpt from The Wind in the Willows! I found some of the additions from modern contemporary writers a bit... repetitive?
Anyway, I really love the premise of these books- a book for each season. I think its important now more than ever that really connect with natural world and look after the planet we are on.
These books really show peoples love and awe for nature and I loved that!
Will definitely be reading the other ones in the collection!
Now I always find it hard to rate anthologies and such like. I feel like its inevitable that there will be some work that I enjoy and some that I do not.
I really like the fact this collection contained a few classics writers (Austen, Shakespeare, Bronte, Hardy etc). These ones were actually my favourite of them all, as well as an excerpt from The Wind in the Willows! I found some of the additions from modern contemporary writers a bit... repetitive?
Anyway, I really love the premise of these books- a book for each season. I think its important now more than ever that really connect with natural world and look after the planet we are on.
These books really show peoples love and awe for nature and I loved that!
Will definitely be reading the other ones in the collection!
lisa_bergin's review against another edition
3.0
Like the winter book I wished there had been a little more poetry, but there were some interesting pieces in this book