Reviews

This One Wild and Precious Life by Sarah Wilson

lapetitelibrarian's review against another edition

challenging inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

cec_loves_to_read_books's review against another edition

4.0

I started this book in October 2020 but only got to the 8th chapter/section before stopping because, well it was 2020 and I was already feeling so anxious about the state of the world and then I just felt too overwhelmed by all the dire facts about climate change that were listed in the book.

I’m not sure I felt any less anxious about the world in May 2021 but listening to this book (read by the author) was like having a (albeit one sided) conversation with Sarah as you go about your day. I really enjoyed the big and beautiful questions raised and discussed in This One Wild and Precious Life.

usetheforcekate's review against another edition

Too much fat phobia.

katieraegordon's review against another edition

3.0

Good ideas and information throughout, though it's mostly re-packaged wisdom. Nothing new or radical for folks who are immersed in social change/movement frameworks. However, there are a few terms or ideas that will stick with me.

jennylachs's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.75

At times it felt incredibly inspiring and energising. But there were also moments of such unexamined privilege that made me want to fling the book at the wall. 
But overall I’m glad I read it and I’ll return to some of the many underlined passages. 

Edit: Right at the of the book she throws in a bunch of inspiring quotes, including one by Viktor Frankl. The way this was quoted really rubbed me up the wrong way, it sounds a bit victim-blaming. As a Jew and the daughter of a holocaust survivor, this was quite jarring to read, especially with what's happening in the world right now.

chirpy_frog345's review against another edition

Was not in the mood for it. Read the intro and was not interested.

jflemingwickham's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative medium-paced

4.0

lrc52's review against another edition

1.0

The obnoxious privilege and judginess of Wilson ruins this book.

Case in point: Apparently, in an effort to cut down on food waste, she takes leftover butter from not only her own meal, but other diners meals. Literally, goes from table to table and asks for people's leftover butter. She's so "charming" she can get away with this. Can you imagine a person of color, a poor person, a homeless person, a fat person, a not so pretty person getting away with this? Hmmm..

Also, scattered writing, sketchy conclusions, and hubris.

Also, romanticizes mental illness.

Also, as an environmental activist, she should know going vegan is one of the most important things someone can do to fight climate change--and stop jetting around the world to hang out with other pompous people and wander through mountains. (I'm not vegan. It just is a fact.)

audreysova's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.0

This started really strong for me. I found it really engaging and refreshing to read. Then as it went on it felt a bit too stream of consciousness for me. I also began to feel like it was dragging on rather than remaining engaging. Still some really poignant insights throughout though!

sophie_lum's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

One of my favourite books.