A review by serendipitysbooks
The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson

emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

 
I absolutely loved The Seed Keeper, a female-centred, multi-generational novel exposing the obstacles indigenous people (in this case Dakhóta but much will be more universal) have faced in trying to maintain their culture, specifically practices relating to the saving and usage of seeds. Many of these obstacles are well-known - wars with white colonisers, residential schools, harmful foster care systems and, sadly, so much more. But other factors, possibly less commonly thought of, have been equally as harmful and have had widespread negative environmental impacts as well. These factors include chemical fertilisers, genetically-modified seeds and the industrialisation and commercialisation of agriculture.

Things that especially resonated with me were the importance of the past and of ties to the land. I also appreciated seeing a nuanced depiction of a cross-cultural marriage and the tensions that can arise. I always love stories about strong women and this book certainly delivered. It’s beautifully written, multi-layered, sometimes heartbreaking, yet never without hope. It also folded in a lot of factual information and left me with plenty to think about. And it left me with a renewed appreciation for the miracle that is a seed. 
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