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Reviews tagging 'Colonisation'
Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer
9 reviews
readandfindout's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Style/writing: 4 stars
Themes: 3.5 stars
Perspective: 4.5 stars
Themes: 3.5 stars
Perspective: 4.5 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Grief
cnjg88's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
Absolutely beautiful book. I have a hard time with audiobooks, but I force myself to consume Robin Wall Kimmerer's books in this way because she is such an amazing narrator.
The world feels different now. I am significantly more aware of the moss and other forms around me, particularly the variety. This is definitely a book I will read again and again.
Learning about moss harvesting and the hypocrisy that can be involved broke my heart. It was also fascinating to learn about the historical uses, as well as the racism, sexism, and colonialism that went with covering them up.
TW there is a brief mention of sexual assault in, I believe, the second to last chapter. It's used as a metaphor for removing moss from branches.
The world feels different now. I am significantly more aware of the moss and other forms around me, particularly the variety. This is definitely a book I will read again and again.
Learning about moss harvesting and the hypocrisy that can be involved broke my heart. It was also fascinating to learn about the historical uses, as well as the racism, sexism, and colonialism that went with covering them up.
TW there is a brief mention of sexual assault in, I believe, the second to last chapter. It's used as a metaphor for removing moss from branches.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Colonisation, and Sexism
Minor: Sexual violence
kelly_e's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Title: Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses
Author: Robin Wall Kimmerer
Genre: Non Fiction
Rating: 4.50
Pub Date: March 1, 2003
T H R E E • W O R D S
Artful • Passionate • Eye Opening
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Drawing on her diverse experiences as a scientist, mother, teacher, and writer of Native American heritage, Kimmerer explains the stories of mosses in scientific terms as well as in the framework of Indigenous ways of knowing. The natural history and cultural relationships of mosses become a powerful metaphor for ways of living in the world.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Upon reading and finishing Braiding Sweetgrass, I immediately added Gathering Moss to my TBR. Robin Wall Kimmerer's vast knowledge of the natural world and her endearing storytelling ability are unparalleled. I honestly think I could read her grocery list and get so much more out of it.
Blending science and personal reflection, this collection of personal essays centering on the lives of mosses is absolutely riveting. Through beautiful description, the author teaches the reader (in an incredibly accessible way) how the forest works in unity and what we have to learn from mosses. She incorporates her own experience working in the natural world with Indigenous knowledge in a manner that resonated deeply with me.
I listened to the audio while reading along with my physical copy and found this to be ideal. It gave the impression of the author telling me an incredible story. Robin delivers a fantastic narration, and I could listen to her soothing voice all day long. Her voice adopts the pacing of the content in a genuine way. It is just beautiful.
Gathering Moss gave me a better understanding and greater appreciation of mosses. Robin Wall Kimmerer willing shares her wisdom in an informative manner, which is a gift in itself. While short, this book holds so many lessons and opened my eyes to the world of mosses, something I have not paid much attention to. For me, my biggest takeaway may have been the lesson in self-restraint and understanding the web of reciprocity that connects us to the natural world. Sign me up to read anything else she writes.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• the concept of reciprocity
• the natural world
• mosses
⚠️ CW: colonization, genocide, racism, sexism, death, death of parent, grief, sexual assault, sexual violence, slavery
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"With words at your disposal, you can see more clearly. Finding the words is another step in learning to see."
"But most mosses are immune to death by drying. For them, desiccation is simply a temporary interruption in life."
"Intimacy gives us a different way of seeing, when visual acuity is not enough."
Author: Robin Wall Kimmerer
Genre: Non Fiction
Rating: 4.50
Pub Date: March 1, 2003
T H R E E • W O R D S
Artful • Passionate • Eye Opening
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Drawing on her diverse experiences as a scientist, mother, teacher, and writer of Native American heritage, Kimmerer explains the stories of mosses in scientific terms as well as in the framework of Indigenous ways of knowing. The natural history and cultural relationships of mosses become a powerful metaphor for ways of living in the world.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Upon reading and finishing Braiding Sweetgrass, I immediately added Gathering Moss to my TBR. Robin Wall Kimmerer's vast knowledge of the natural world and her endearing storytelling ability are unparalleled. I honestly think I could read her grocery list and get so much more out of it.
Blending science and personal reflection, this collection of personal essays centering on the lives of mosses is absolutely riveting. Through beautiful description, the author teaches the reader (in an incredibly accessible way) how the forest works in unity and what we have to learn from mosses. She incorporates her own experience working in the natural world with Indigenous knowledge in a manner that resonated deeply with me.
I listened to the audio while reading along with my physical copy and found this to be ideal. It gave the impression of the author telling me an incredible story. Robin delivers a fantastic narration, and I could listen to her soothing voice all day long. Her voice adopts the pacing of the content in a genuine way. It is just beautiful.
Gathering Moss gave me a better understanding and greater appreciation of mosses. Robin Wall Kimmerer willing shares her wisdom in an informative manner, which is a gift in itself. While short, this book holds so many lessons and opened my eyes to the world of mosses, something I have not paid much attention to. For me, my biggest takeaway may have been the lesson in self-restraint and understanding the web of reciprocity that connects us to the natural world. Sign me up to read anything else she writes.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• the concept of reciprocity
• the natural world
• mosses
⚠️ CW: colonization, genocide, racism, sexism, death, death of parent, grief, sexual assault, sexual violence, slavery
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"With words at your disposal, you can see more clearly. Finding the words is another step in learning to see."
"But most mosses are immune to death by drying. For them, desiccation is simply a temporary interruption in life."
"Intimacy gives us a different way of seeing, when visual acuity is not enough."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Sexism, Colonisation, and Racism
Minor: Sexual violence, Death, Death of parent, Slavery, Sexual assault, and Grief
meganpbell's review
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
I’ve long been a fan of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass—as well as Elizabeth Gilbert’s The Signature of All Things, which was inspired by Gathering Moss—so it was high time to enjoy this natural & cultural history of mosses! This is a lovely way to gain an appreciation for these rich, resilient, and important works of nature—though to be honest the highlight for me was her consultation at a wealthy (and anonymous) estate where they’re doing everything wrong.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Slavery, Colonisation, and Genocide
satsumaorange's review
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
Listened to this on audiobook and it was quite lovely. First book I've managed to finish since I experienced a Big Bad Thing in my life, and I understand why. Despite the content getting serious at times (themes of colonization, etc), the overall vibe was soothing as I vividly pictured the beauty and texture of the mosses the author describes. I find myself noticing mosses wherever I go now, and I feel a kinship with them that I really cherish. I loved this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation
pumpkinbread02's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
i fucking love moss!!! why aren’t we talking about moss more?
Content Warnings
Minor: Colonisation
myk_yeah's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.5
This was such a lovely read, I picked it up since everyone has recommended Braiding Sweetgrass to me and the opportunity to read Gathering Moss came up in a book club I'm a part of. I felt immersed in nature while reading, even when I was on the bus I felt like I was sitting with Robin amongst the mosses. I love how she weaves the stories of her day to day life in with the lives of the mosses and how she teaches the reader about mosses and indigenous ways of knowing.
Content Warnings
Minor: Colonisation
lime_soda's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Colonisation
kathrun006's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
5.0
This book is about ecology, botany, indegineous ways of knowing, western science, and the relationship between them as well as how beautiful mosses are. I love this book a lot. I've read it twice now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide and Colonisation
The book talks about colonialism, from the perspective of someone who was deeply hurt by it, but who is trying to heal. This book does not go into graphic detail, but the effects can be felt throughout it and are very sad.
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