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bugboi32's review against another edition
4.0
A nice compilation of essays by hooks that explore the intersection of race, class and the concept of "belonging." Much of the essay discusses the power that Black folks harness, particularly Southern Black folks, when living an agrarian lifestyle and in spirit with nature. I particularly appreciate her analysis on the destructiveness of city living to the spirit and the discussion of urban racism vs. rural racism. The essays contain a mixture of powerful personal storytelling and complex examination of racial and spacial theory. There was one essay that discussed theories of travel, examining the difference between traveling for pleasure, forced relocation, etc. that was incredibly thought provoking.
At times, this book can be repetitive. Essays are included that have been previously published and so sometimes there is a retelling of idea or stories. Unfortunatly, the book is riddled with errors that the publisher should have caught. These errors can make the reading a little challenging.
At times, this book can be repetitive. Essays are included that have been previously published and so sometimes there is a retelling of idea or stories. Unfortunatly, the book is riddled with errors that the publisher should have caught. These errors can make the reading a little challenging.
keight's review against another edition
5.0
My booklog desperately needs a backend update, and I hope to get that done eventually (kind of daunted by how much work it might be) — in the meantime, I’d like to ease back into the practice of writing about what I read because I miss it. This book came up as a book club selection, and I was excited to read it, since the concept of belonging is something I’ve been thinking a lot about recently. Early in the book, I felt some disappointment that bell hooks wasn’t writing about many things relevant to my particular yearnings around belonging, and I had to consciously remind myself that it was her experience, and her book wasn’t written to solve my personal worries on the subject. But the later essays are focused on the topic more generally, and there were some places that felt a bit like answers to my internal queries, including many of the references to other writers’ work, as in this section that quotes Carol Lee Flinders:
Explaining further her understanding of a culture of belonging, Flinders writes: “The values of Belonging are, in effect, the symptoms of a particular way of being in the world. Together, they form a dynamic whole — a syndrome if you will, or an orientation or ethos. Within that whole, each value reinforces and all but implies the others, and the source of their power as a constellation is the synergy between them.” Flinders ask readers to think of the values of belonging as “points on a circle, windows onto a single reality.” Listing the characteristics of the culture of belonging, Flinders explains that: “Fundamental to the culture of belonging is a strong sense of reciprocal connection to the land where one lives, empathic relationship to animals, self restraint, custodial conservatism, deliberateness, balance, expressiveness, generosity, egalitarianism, mutuality affinity for alternative modes of knowing, playfulness, inclusiveness, nonviolent conflict resolution and openness to spirit.”
Explaining further her understanding of a culture of belonging, Flinders writes: “The values of Belonging are, in effect, the symptoms of a particular way of being in the world. Together, they form a dynamic whole — a syndrome if you will, or an orientation or ethos. Within that whole, each value reinforces and all but implies the others, and the source of their power as a constellation is the synergy between them.” Flinders ask readers to think of the values of belonging as “points on a circle, windows onto a single reality.” Listing the characteristics of the culture of belonging, Flinders explains that: “Fundamental to the culture of belonging is a strong sense of reciprocal connection to the land where one lives, empathic relationship to animals, self restraint, custodial conservatism, deliberateness, balance, expressiveness, generosity, egalitarianism, mutuality affinity for alternative modes of knowing, playfulness, inclusiveness, nonviolent conflict resolution and openness to spirit.”
alwaysaaryn's review against another edition
1.0
DNF, couldn’t vibe with Hooks on her stances about racism within rural areas
poojakishinani's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
personal & political, bell hooks investigates what it means to spiritually belong to a geographical place, to heal with land, to return to our native place. I love the questions and sentiments she explores in this collection of essays. hooks' words as always are a source of nourishment and insight - they nudge you towards better understanding your place in the world.
would recommend to everyone!
personal & political, bell hooks investigates what it means to spiritually belong to a geographical place, to heal with land, to return to our native place. I love the questions and sentiments she explores in this collection of essays. hooks' words as always are a source of nourishment and insight - they nudge you towards better understanding your place in the world.
would recommend to everyone!
emmajane99's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
5.0
forestleen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
i’d give it more stars if i could