sydneydwalker 's review for:

Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane

3.5

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring slow-paced

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With beautiful passages, we are guided through three experiences by Robert MacFarlane. First we explore a cloud forest of Ecuador, following a fungi expert as she discovers and maps out different fungal species. Next we go to the lagoons of India, where spiritual questions arise. We finish with a kayak trip through the Canadian rivers where it all comes together. Each journey is marked with unease as potential developments threaten the existence of the natural world. 

I enjoyed the experience and how the writing put you in each location. With quirky characters, MacFarlane recreates his journey with astute observations. 

My only complaint is how it felt like it was the same message inserted over and over again - rivers are alive and we need to protect them. I agree with this statement but felt it being said in basically the same format repeatedly made me a little bored with the material, skimming until I could become re-immersed in the experiences. 

Still a worthwhile read if you enjoy nature and the interconnectedness of the world. 

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for a review