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366 reviews for:
For Small Creatures Such as We: Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World
Sasha Sagan
4.12 AVERAGE
366 reviews for:
For Small Creatures Such as We: Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World
Sasha Sagan
4.12 AVERAGE
This book just wasn't for me. I really wanted it to be more sociological, and have a bit more research involved. It was really just lofty observations from the author. I found this book really boring. In between snippets of the author's autobiography, this book muses on rituals found worldwide. It really missed an opportunity to be a bit more anthropological. It felt very much that it wanted to seem deep and insightful. I'm glad other people found it to be so but I just didn't. And I don't recommend the audiobook.
If you are a fan of the writings of Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan or any of the versions of the Cosmos TV show you should enjoy Sasha Saga's "For Small Creatures Such as We." In the book she very much channels the writings and musings of her parents by offering a thoughtful non-religious look at holidays and rituals from birth to death. I very much enjoyed it.
A really interesting book on how rituals (birthday parties, weddings, funerals, etc.) are used across cultures and religions to help us make meaning out of this random, chaotic world. I enjoyed the parts about Sasha’s own life and memories of her father, and found great comfort in her reflections on life, death, and joy.
“No matter what the universe has in store, it cannot take away from the fact that you were born. You’ll have some joy and some pain, and all the other experiences that make up what it’s like to be a tiny part of a grand cosmos. No matter what happens next, you were here. And even when any record of our individual lives is lost to the ages, that won’t detract from the fact that we were. We lived. We were part of the enormity. All the great and terrible parts of being alive, the shocking sublime beauty and heartbreak, the monotony, the interior thoughts, the shared pain and pleasure. It really happened. All of it. On this little world that orbits a yellow star out in the great vastness. And that alone is cause for celebration.”
“No matter what the universe has in store, it cannot take away from the fact that you were born. You’ll have some joy and some pain, and all the other experiences that make up what it’s like to be a tiny part of a grand cosmos. No matter what happens next, you were here. And even when any record of our individual lives is lost to the ages, that won’t detract from the fact that we were. We lived. We were part of the enormity. All the great and terrible parts of being alive, the shocking sublime beauty and heartbreak, the monotony, the interior thoughts, the shared pain and pleasure. It really happened. All of it. On this little world that orbits a yellow star out in the great vastness. And that alone is cause for celebration.”
Favorite Quote:
“As with love, it’s our vulnerability that opens us up to something deeper. Our willingness to be wrong, to let go of our predictions and preconceptions, clears the way to more than we could have otherwise imagined. There are some mysteries to which we will never get the answer. We might not live to learn what came before the Big Bang. We wont know the eventual fate of our species. And there are answers that we will get… but until then, there is so much else to learn and celebrate between each sunrise and sunset.”
This book was both a beautiful tribute to Sagan’s parents and a reminder to celebrate the things that make life magical. After reading this, I’m feeling excited to reflect on the rituals in my life and make some new ones!
“As with love, it’s our vulnerability that opens us up to something deeper. Our willingness to be wrong, to let go of our predictions and preconceptions, clears the way to more than we could have otherwise imagined. There are some mysteries to which we will never get the answer. We might not live to learn what came before the Big Bang. We wont know the eventual fate of our species. And there are answers that we will get… but until then, there is so much else to learn and celebrate between each sunrise and sunset.”
This book was both a beautiful tribute to Sagan’s parents and a reminder to celebrate the things that make life magical. After reading this, I’m feeling excited to reflect on the rituals in my life and make some new ones!
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I loved this book. As an eXvangelical, it was refreshing to hear about how the Sagan's raised their daughter with a love of science and genuine empathy, and how they found ways to incorporate rituals and traditions outside of religion. It was beautiful, thoughtful, and inspired many ideas for me to begin to incorporate into my own family.
I bought this book because the author is Carl Sagan's daughter. The book examines various rituals held at various times of year, or for life events and their importance. Sasha shares rituals observed in many cultures/religions, and although a secular individual, describes how she has taken up some of these or created new ones. Personal anecdotes are shared. The importance of family comes across clearly as she relates rituals involving her family. I found some sections - I don't know - simple? privileged? - but overall the stories were interesting and some thought provoking. I gave this 3 stars, but 3.5 might be more accurate, an interesting read, but not earth shaking.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Really helped me as I navigate rituals and holidays without religion. Useful for everyone, regardless of religious feeling.