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371 reviews for:
For Small Creatures Such as We: Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World
Sasha Sagan
4.12 AVERAGE
371 reviews for:
For Small Creatures Such as We: Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World
Sasha Sagan
4.12 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
fast-paced
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
I think this is best described as a collection of essays reflecting on “secular religion” — that is the important role rituals and traditions play in our life. The part that resonated most with me is the call for scepticism rather than atheist cynicism. “Let science leave you in awe of life itself, the improbability of it all.”
I honestly hadn’t heard of Carl Sagan or Cosmos before so many references in the book were lost on me. Something that doesn't sit right with me is that it's kind of a philosophy book written by someone who seemingly didn't have a lot of obstacles to overcome in their life which makes it feel maybe a little shallow in a rose colored glasses kind of way.
Infused with beautifully written reflections as well as autobiographical details and stories, which bring the book to life and hold it together, this book is nonetheless a little disjointed, only briefly mentioning the practices of different cultures throughout time and space. I probably won't read it again but it was very good, 4 stars. Also, this book finally got my husband and I to start a Sunday ritual of singing a short song together. Thanks Sasha Sagan!
Recreating the rituals and holidays of my childhood belief system in a way that I can still celebrate, even though my beliefs are no longer the same, is a particular interest of mine. So I was really looking forward to this book, which is subtitled “Rituals for Finding Meaning in our Unlikely World.” The author, Sasha Sagan, is an atheist and the daughter of Carl Sagan. I had high hopes.
But after the beginning, where she establishes the joy and beauty of scientific knowledge and secular understanding of our amazing world, it never really lived up to its promise. There were long lists of the ways a specific holiday or event— like summer solstice or a wedding— has been celebrated throughout human history. That approach could have been interesting, but she never goes into enough detail about anything for you to even remember any of it— it’s just a long list.
She’s so dang sweet and charming that I don’t really feel like I can say the rest of what I think without being cruel, like kicking a bunny or something. So I’ll just stop. It didn’t work for me. I think it would work best for someone who is new to the topic.
p.s. edited to add: I forgot to say that for the first time ever, I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review. Maybe I was too honest.
But after the beginning, where she establishes the joy and beauty of scientific knowledge and secular understanding of our amazing world, it never really lived up to its promise. There were long lists of the ways a specific holiday or event— like summer solstice or a wedding— has been celebrated throughout human history. That approach could have been interesting, but she never goes into enough detail about anything for you to even remember any of it— it’s just a long list.
She’s so dang sweet and charming that I don’t really feel like I can say the rest of what I think without being cruel, like kicking a bunny or something. So I’ll just stop. It didn’t work for me. I think it would work best for someone who is new to the topic.
p.s. edited to add: I forgot to say that for the first time ever, I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review. Maybe I was too honest.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced