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lesbiangrandpa's review against another edition
5.0
I’ll love Mary til the day I die. And then the days after too.
“In this universe we are given two gifts: the ability to love, and the ability to ask questions. Which are, at the same time, the fires that warm us and the fires that scorch us.”
“In this universe we are given two gifts: the ability to love, and the ability to ask questions. Which are, at the same time, the fires that warm us and the fires that scorch us.”
pileatedwoodpecker's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
dotty51's review against another edition
Id rather be in nature than read a book that is almost completely dedicated to describing it. It was written beautifully but it didn’t capture my attention
catsloverain's review against another edition
reflective
I bought this book at the Brewster Book Store while in Cape Cod emptying out my grandparents’ house before the new owners moved in. I wanted something that reminded me of that moment and how much I love Cape Cod and its nature and this was exactly that. What a beautiful love letter
abbypowell's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
bethreadsandnaps's review against another edition
3.25
3.25 stars
I’ve heard out Mary Oliver for many years, but I have never read her because, well, I’m not into poetry and I’m not THAT into nature writing. Fortunately, this is an essay collection, and I had some moral support for this one in the form of a read-a-long with others. And it’s short.
As much as I admire those who study nature with such interest as Ms. Oliver, this is a yawn fest. The part I liked the most was when she wrote essays on several writers because I got a well-written bio and themes of their work in 7-10 pages.
I’ve heard out Mary Oliver for many years, but I have never read her because, well, I’m not into poetry and I’m not THAT into nature writing. Fortunately, this is an essay collection, and I had some moral support for this one in the form of a read-a-long with others. And it’s short.
As much as I admire those who study nature with such interest as Ms. Oliver, this is a yawn fest. The part I liked the most was when she wrote essays on several writers because I got a well-written bio and themes of their work in 7-10 pages.
machadamia's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.5
This is the first book of Mary Oliver's that I have ever read and I am CONVINCED that her work is just right for me. I loved this collection of essays so much. And I would argue that this is probably the book I would recommend for anyone to get into her work. It says so much about who she is as a person and what she believes in. She is unabashedly certain about what she wants to say and says it so well here. She truly loved nature and nature loved her back.
My favourite ones are the stories about spiders in the house and the dog that would chew through leashes with the stuck up policeman. I have always had a love for these little life that I cannot possibly go through. I think that humans are so smart and yet we spend so much of our time on things that don't matter and seeing these little things go through life reminds me of what really matters. Reading this makes me think that life isn't so hard after all, taking a walk and appreciating everything makes it all better.
My favourite ones are the stories about spiders in the house and the dog that would chew through leashes with the stuck up policeman. I have always had a love for these little life that I cannot possibly go through. I think that humans are so smart and yet we spend so much of our time on things that don't matter and seeing these little things go through life reminds me of what really matters. Reading this makes me think that life isn't so hard after all, taking a walk and appreciating everything makes it all better.