Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane

4.4 AVERAGE

susanpbowman's review against another edition

4.5
adventurous hopeful informative relaxing medium-paced
This was my first Robert Macfarlane book, and I’m officially hooked. Is a River Alive? is a poetic, powerful tribute to water’s wild heart. It’s part nature meditation, part climate call-to-action, and all gorgeously written; a reminder that rivers aren’t just part of the landscape—they are life itself. 

The book’s central thesis (i.e. the question asked in the title) argued that rivers are living, breathing forces, carrying stories, memory, and momentum through every bend. It’s a compelling argument for nature’s unforgiving yet magically resilient force. 

Couldn’t stop reading (or listening). Loved it. 
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therags's review against another edition

3.75
emotional informative reflective
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quirkyaquarian's review against another edition

5.0
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Just incredible. The most beautiful writing. Extremely educational and empathetic towards a whole range of thoughts and experiences, not just from the natural world but of the human mind as well. This is my first Robert MacFarlane book, but it certainly won’t be the last.

djmelvill's review

4.0
Somewhere between 4-5 stars, but I’m going to have to review my notes to get a better sense of where exactly. Macfarlane is one of my very favourite creators working today—he is one of my heroes. Unlike some, I’m completely on board with his central question (my prof, Mari Jorestead’s, work on the Hebrew Bible convinced me of this), but for much of the book I was left with a stronger impression of the people rather than the rivers he encounters. This does shift in the book’s magnificent last third, however. Also, I did feel that Macfarlane’s prose stumbled in a few places, making this the first full-length book of his that felt somewhat unformed. Yet the spirt and vitality of this book is strong, almost as strong as the rivers which inspire it. I plan to write on this book for my school’s magazine, so I’ll have better, more cohesive thoughts coming later this year.
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doitsumania's review against another edition

5.0
emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
It made me want to meet my rivers and help their voices to be heard

smokeycloud's review against another edition

5.0
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As a MacFarlanehead, I’d been waiting a while for this one and devoured it, savoring every morsel. I hope in the future folks regard it well & importantly. 

robmeyer's review against another edition

4.5
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deelightfull's review against another edition

4.0
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This is a lyrical, beautiful book, extolling the centrality and importance of wild nature.  There's a hint of science, but not that much.

jobanna's review against another edition

3.5
adventurous inspiring reflective slow-paced

fhqkbiu3sjhrqh4gbqz9's review against another edition

5.0
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