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abitters's review against another edition
5.0
A book with unending layers. Exceptionally great writing.
tlindhorst's review against another edition
5.0
A perfect book for a time of sadness. The interplay between family stories and reflections on nature reminds me of An Ecology of a Cracker Childhood, another beloved book of the south.
pio_near's review against another edition
4.0
A quick, delightful read about the great joys and sorrows we face in life. Shot thru with colorful family anecdotes, this is a book I did not expect to enjoy as much as I did!
swymore2692's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written memoir. Renkl’s descriptions of the natural world, the connections she makes between the physical and spiritual, her insight and wisdom - all come together in this masterpiece. I wish I would have savored this a little at a time instead of reading it all in a couple days. I highly recommend it, but if I could make a suggestion: take it slowly. Enjoy. ❤️
bandherbooks's review against another edition
4.0
well heck I was not expecting to be crying while reading this GRIEF BOOK. I didn't read the blurb well and it was for a work Climate Action book club. This definitely punched me in my heart, and she had some great things to say about grief. Not sure I'd advocate this for the club we run at work again, but if you're well along in your grief journey (NOT FRESH) this might be worth looking into. Also, lots of animal death talked about which also gave me a sad. Nature is mean.
sageblue47's review against another edition
4.0
This book really hit me. It is beautifully written, and I now want to buy it (it was a library book I read). As one not particularly attuned to nature, I was not expecting to be so rapt by Renkl's descriptions of the living world around her--and how that world complements the loss that accumulates during one's life. It is that larger thesis--that loss is inevitable, that loss is natural, that loss can be appreciated--that resonates with me during this time, when I have recently experienced personal loss, am approaching the anniversary of a sudden loss, and just celebrated my birthday (a holiday of joy but also loss). What a wonderful, touching, beautiful book.
alexycred's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this memoir. It made me cry and laugh. It also left me feeling a little empty. Let me explain. The author was fiercely loved. She was close to her immediate and extended family. They were always there for her. And she raised her children the same. I found myself harboring jealousy that I wasn’t raised the same way or had the same experiences. And it’s not that anything extraordinary happened or that they were rich/well-to-do/affluent, etc., but there was just a sense of endless love - no matter the circumstances. Adventure, nature, and love. Of course there were difficult times and people, that’s life, but how the author details her family’s journey is beautiful.
mikeybailey's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
4.5
elizabethch95's review against another edition
4.0
It definitely took me a bit to really get into this book, I had to keep checking the family tree in the front for a “who’s who” and I found myself far more interested in the family stories vs the observations of nature, mostly birds. I think if I was a bird watcher the bird observation would have been more catching to me. However, I’m saying all of that, I found myself completely drawn in by the family history, checking the years each part was written, how many years were missed where nothing was noted, and then finding myself not quite ready for the book to end. Even with my interest in one type of story, the book tied together really well and ended up being a solid 4 star for me