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A review by shutupem
Feral: Rewilding the Land, the Sea and Human Life by George Monbiot
5.0
Overall I really liked this. I liked that he is honest that although many of his arguments are economic, he is really driven by passion for nature so not exactly neutral. I like that he suggests actual policy changes instead of just gesturing vaguely to the problems.
I do think some of the stories from his own experience are kind of unrelatable. I guess things don't need to be relatable necessarily, but because these stories are used to get you to ‘’buy in” emotionally it does feel a little strange. Even if we rewild everything most people will not be able to spend even a fraction of the time Monbiot does in nature or see even a small amount of what he has. Especially not without other changes to society, our attitudes towards leisure time and time we are “allowed” to spend enjoying nature. He doesn't address this at all despite saying several times that he wants wilderness to be accessible by everyone. It just feels a little bit glossed over/incomplete, idk.
His writing also goes a little bit too far with the flowery descriptions sometimes. Favourite example: “We stepped over crimson plush cushions of sphagnum moss, like the upholstery in an Indian restaurant.” What does this MEAN, GEORGE???
In the end though this doesn't spoil the book at all and I enjoyed his perspective and the perspectives of people he features throughout.
I do think some of the stories from his own experience are kind of unrelatable. I guess things don't need to be relatable necessarily, but because these stories are used to get you to ‘’buy in” emotionally it does feel a little strange. Even if we rewild everything most people will not be able to spend even a fraction of the time Monbiot does in nature or see even a small amount of what he has. Especially not without other changes to society, our attitudes towards leisure time and time we are “allowed” to spend enjoying nature. He doesn't address this at all despite saying several times that he wants wilderness to be accessible by everyone. It just feels a little bit glossed over/incomplete, idk.
His writing also goes a little bit too far with the flowery descriptions sometimes. Favourite example: “We stepped over crimson plush cushions of sphagnum moss, like the upholstery in an Indian restaurant.” What does this MEAN, GEORGE???
In the end though this doesn't spoil the book at all and I enjoyed his perspective and the perspectives of people he features throughout.