Reviews with content warning for Xenophobia - World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments

Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil

14 reviews

lilybear3's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

3.75

Beautifully poetic even though it's not poetry. Aimee Nezhukumatathil masterfully combines information with reflections on life. I was surprised by how emotionally impacted I was by these mini essays.

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just_one_more_paige's review

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hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.0

I am not so much into nature writing, as you probably already know (or you can check out my reviews for books like The New Wilderness for a more detailed vibe on this front), but for some reason I have had this little collection on my backburner TBR for a while now. I don't know if it was the slim size, the author's background as a poet, the gorgeous cover, some combination thereof, or something totally unrelated, but I have been interested in seeing what it was all about.

In this collection of short essays, Nezhukumatathil combines poetry, nature writing and memoir in a heartfelt way. Each piece (at least the majority of them) is titled after a plant/animal (common and Latin) and then the reader gets a chance to experience a few fun facts about that particular flora or fauna, as well as a memory or life lesson or event from Nezhukumatathil's life that relates to it in some way, all told with her gorgeously rhythmic writing. These natural life-personal life connections create such a phenomenally unique and captivating structure for a memoir. As a bonus throughout, the reader is treated to stunning illustrations of a selection of the natural wonders Nezhukumatathil writes about or refers to.

I really enjoyed the time I spent with this collection. Each was short and sweet (literally and figuratively) and that made for a perfect "taking a short break" or "unwinding before bed" read-one-or-two essays consumption style. The balance of natural science and literary vibes was perfect for me: enough to teach and enrapture and flow but never too much in either direction. While I really liked the way Nezhukumatathil incorporated and tied nature and natural phenomena back to her own life experiences and lessons, for the most part, I do have to say that a couple of the parallels and connections felt a bit strained, almost like trying too hard to pull things together. Regardless, and despite the at times serious observations about racism/sexism/extinction/environmental decay, there is an overall feeling of youthful exuberance to this reading experience. It reminded me of some of the juvenile nonfiction titles I see at work, books titled something like "weirdest nature facts," but for adults. And we could all use that kind of awe in our lives sometimes.

I want to mention a few of my favorite pieces from the collection, for posterity purposes, I guess. But also, if you have read this, let me know if we have any favorites in common! Anyways, I particularly loved or was impressed by: "Touch-Me-Nots," "Dancing Frog," "Corpse Flower," "Potoo," "Questions While Searching for Birds with My Half-White Sons," "Southern Cassowary," and "Monarch Butterfly."

Overall, Nezhukumatathil's unfettered joy in and wonder at the world around us comes through with clarity and passion on every page of this book. She addresses the way nature can teach us lessons about getting through life's challenges in a way that is both uplifting and validating. And the writing itself has art and beauty in it, while remaining accessible. I have to say that this is unambiguously my favorite nature-writing that I've ever experienced (lingually and visually), meditative and marvelous, and I would definitely recommend it.

“There is a time for stillness, but who hasn't also wanted to scream with delight at being outdoors?”

“Under a brilliant moon, and unbeknownst to us, the darkened world silvers and shimmers from pink and ebony wings, a small thunder. We can't possibly hear such an astonishing wind while we try to keep in step with our small dances on this earth. But we should try. We should try.”

“It is this way with wonder: it takes a bit of patience, and it takes putting yourself in the right place at the right time. It requires that we be curious enough to forgo our small distractions in order to find the world.”

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whimsicality's review

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This is the first book I've read for myself in almost three years, and it has fully reinvigorated my desire to read. Regardless of your preferred genre, the prose in this book is worth the time taken with it. I would recommend it to anyone.

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charitylee92's review

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced

4.25

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